Germany to end all nuclear power by 2022

[Big Fitz]

Germany will be the first big test, if they do it the right way, of a country trying to go with renewables plus conservation as the primary method of electricity generation. There are however, methods they can use to cheat, one of them being buying power from france, which as most people know, generates most of thier power from nukes.

Lets see if they can keeo thier baseline grid going once they give up on nukes, and lets see if they can do it without going back to fossil fuels.

Quite frankly I am glad to see someone else try it before us.

Those poor German people. Lead to the slaughter by the ecofascisti. I guess we should prepare for new waves of German immigration by 2022. They won't be able to survive there.

 

[Toronado3800]

If we can re use the spent fuel all the better.

 

[Old Rocks]

Perhaps Germany doesn't need the nukes at all. If we can incorperate this into solar thermal, maybe nobody will need nukes or coal fired plants.

New solar product captures up to 95 percent of light energy

New solar product captures up to 95 percent of light energy
MU engineer plans to make solar panels more effective in collecting energy


Efficiency is a problem with today's solar panels; they only collect about 20 percent of available light. Now, a University of Missouri engineer has developed a flexible solar sheet that captures more than 90 percent of available light, and he plans to make prototypes available to consumers within the next five years.

Patrick Pinhero, an associate professor in the MU Chemical Engineering Department, says energy generated using traditional photovoltaic (PV) methods of solar collection is inefficient and neglects much of the available solar electromagnetic (sunlight) spectrum. The device his team has developed – essentially a thin, moldable sheet of small antennas called nantenna – can harvest the heat from industrial processes and convert it into usable electricity. Their ambition is to extend this concept to a direct solar facing nantenna device capable of collecting solar irradiation in the near infrared and optical regions of the solar spectrum.

Working with his former team at the Idaho National Laboratory and Garrett Moddel, an electrical engineering professor at the University of Colorado, Pinhero and his team have now developed a way to extract electricity from the collected heat and sunlight using special high-speed electrical circuitry. This team also partners with Dennis Slafer of MicroContinuum, Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., to immediately port laboratory bench-scale technologies into manufacturable devices that can be inexpensively mass-produced.

 

[Polk]

Germany intends to export their emissions. Out of sight, out of mind.
Clear conscience.

It's the typical cowardly overreaction of the Euro-wimps.

You realize Americans freaked out to a similar extent over it, right?

As for the topic at hand, this is a really bad move. At least it won't increase emissions.

 

[JAConline]

I tend to think that this is a short sighted decision. The tragedy in Japan wasn't to do to a failure of nuclear power. And yes, this decision will place a greater demand on fossil fuels.

Once the plants are closed, what's the plan?Germany's power demands are only going to increase as time goes on. Hopefully they will be able to fill their demand.

 

[Old Rocks]

You know, Germany may make out like a bandit for this decision. The Germans have a long history of innovation. If they get really serious about R and D on alternatives, they may end up far ahead of both the US and China, and have even more technology to export and make a profit on.

 

[Mad Scientist]

The Danes already get 15% of their energy from wind power.

The Danes pay the highest electricity rates in the EU.

The Chinese are the largest manufacturers of solar panels in the world.

But they're not the largest users. They build 2 or 3 new coal plants a week so they can make solar panels for eco-suckers like the Danes.

Their are many ways of dealing with energy...conservation, solar, wind, etc...

But none of them work as well as Oil, Coal and their derivatives.

 

[KissMy]

The Germans have developed a home that is so well insulated that it doesn't need a furnace.

The Israelis are building the largest solar energy plant in the world.

The Danes already get 15% of their energy from wind power.

The Chinese are the largest manufacturers of solar panels in the world.

Their are many ways of dealing with energy...conservation, solar, wind, etc...

As Buckminster Fuller said, "Their isn't an energy crisis. There is only a crisis of ignorance."

It is impossible to get more than 20% of your power from wind. It is also impossible to get more than 15% of your power from solar. 2/3rds of your power must come from something else that can produce power on demand.

You are a crisis of ignorance.

 

[Polk]

The Germans have developed a home that is so well insulated that it doesn't need a furnace.

The Israelis are building the largest solar energy plant in the world.

The Danes already get 15% of their energy from wind power.

The Chinese are the largest manufacturers of solar panels in the world.

Their are many ways of dealing with energy...conservation, solar, wind, etc...

As Buckminster Fuller said, "Their isn't an energy crisis. There is only a crisis of ignorance."

It is impossible to get more than 20% of your power from wind. It is also impossible to get more than 15% of your power from solar. 2/3rds of your power must come from something else that can produce power on demand.

You are a crisis of ignorance.

I don't think that's true. True with current technology? Probably, but stating it as if it's an eternal constant seems misguided.

 

[Old Rocks]

The Germans have developed a home that is so well insulated that it doesn't need a furnace.

The Israelis are building the largest solar energy plant in the world.

The Danes already get 15% of their energy from wind power.

The Chinese are the largest manufacturers of solar panels in the world.

Their are many ways of dealing with energy...conservation, solar, wind, etc...

As Buckminster Fuller said, "Their isn't an energy crisis. There is only a crisis of ignorance."

It is impossible to get more than 20% of your power from wind. It is also impossible to get more than 15% of your power from solar. 2/3rds of your power must come from something else that can produce power on demand.

You are a crisis of ignorance.

Really? Perhaps you should really look things up before you display your ignorance before the whole world.

Wind power in Iowa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Iowa is a leading U.S. state in wind power generation of electricity. In 2009, Iowa became the first state to have more than 10% of its total generated electricity come from wind power. [1]In 2010, power generated by wind was 15.4% of all electricity generated in Iowa.[2] At the end of 2010, the installed capacity for wind power in Iowa was 3675 megawatts (MW), a little less than 10% of the total wind capacity in the U.S. No significant additions were made to Iowa's wind power generating capacity in 2010.[3]

Perhaps you should look at the growth curve for wind power in the US. And we have just started.

Wind Powering America: U.S. Installed Wind Capacity and Wind Project Locations

 

[Old Rocks]

The Danes already get 15% of their energy from wind power.

The Danes pay the highest electricity rates in the EU.

The Chinese are the largest manufacturers of solar panels in the world.

But they're not the largest users. They build 2 or 3 new coal plants a week so they can make solar panels for eco-suckers like the Danes.

Their are many ways of dealing with energy...conservation, solar, wind, etc...

But none of them work as well as Oil, Coal and their derivatives.

Not yet. First Solar of the US is working with China on a 2 gw solar installation as we post.

First Solar - News Release

First Solar & China Power International New Energy Announce International Cooperation Framework Agreement
BEIJING, May 10, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) and China Power International New Energy Holding Limited (CPINE), a wholly owned subsidiary of China Power New Energy Development Company Limited (CPNE; HKEX Stock Code: 735), today signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement to collaborate on solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in China, the United States and other international markets. China Power International Holding Limited New Energy Development Supervisor, China Power New Energy Development Company Limited CEO, China Power International New Energy General Manager Liu Genyu and TK Kallenbach, President of First Solar's Components Business Group, signed the agreement at a ceremony in Beijing today with Madame Li Xiaolin, Chairwoman of China Power International Holding Limited, CPNE and CPINE.

Under the terms of the agreement, First Solar and CPINE will initially explore collaboration on solar PV projects in China and identify project investment opportunities for CPINE in the U.S. and other global solar markets, leveraging CPINE's role as a leading renewable energy developer in China, including CPINE's planned 2 GW of solar in China by 2020, and First Solar's expertise as a leading global solar PV technology company, including its 2.4 GW pipeline in North America.

"We are very pleased to build an extensive and in-depth relationship with First Solar, a global leader in solar PV technology. This cooperation leverages our advantages in the domestic solar power industry, and helps First Solar further expand its business presence in China. In addition, we are happy to explore other cooperation opportunities in different areas and through different methods with First Solar, working together to further expand in the global market," said Madame Li. "Solar power offers tremendous growth potential in China and the U.S."

 

[JackDan]

Hahah maybe they are betting on cold fusion

 

[KissMy]

The Germans have developed a home that is so well insulated that it doesn't need a furnace.

The Israelis are building the largest solar energy plant in the world.

The Danes already get 15% of their energy from wind power.

The Chinese are the largest manufacturers of solar panels in the world.

Their are many ways of dealing with energy...conservation, solar, wind, etc...

As Buckminster Fuller said, "Their isn't an energy crisis. There is only a crisis of ignorance."

It is impossible to get more than 20% of your power from wind. It is also impossible to get more than 15% of your power from solar. 2/3rds of your power must come from something else that can produce power on demand.

You are a crisis of ignorance.

I don't think that's true. True with current technology? Probably, but stating it as if it's an eternal constant seems misguided.

Germany can't exceed these limits by the year 2022.

 

[Polk]

It is impossible to get more than 20% of your power from wind. It is also impossible to get more than 15% of your power from solar. 2/3rds of your power must come from something else that can produce power on demand.

You are a crisis of ignorance.

I don't think that's true. True with current technology? Probably, but stating it as if it's an eternal constant seems misguided.

Germany can't exceed these limits by the year 2022.

That's true, but then again, Chris didn't really claim they could. His statement was pretty vague.

 

[KissMy]

The Germans have developed a home that is so well insulated that it doesn't need a furnace.

The Israelis are building the largest solar energy plant in the world.

The Danes already get 15% of their energy from wind power.

The Chinese are the largest manufacturers of solar panels in the world.

Their are many ways of dealing with energy...conservation, solar, wind, etc...

As Buckminster Fuller said, "Their isn't an energy crisis. There is only a crisis of ignorance."

It is impossible to get more than 20% of your power from wind. It is also impossible to get more than 15% of your power from solar. 2/3rds of your power must come from something else that can produce power on demand.

You are a crisis of ignorance.

Really? Perhaps you should really look things up before you display your ignorance before the whole world.

Wind power in Iowa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Iowa is a leading U.S. state in wind power generation of electricity. In 2009, Iowa became the first state to have more than 10% of its total generated electricity come from wind power. [1]In 2010, power generated by wind was 15.4% of all electricity generated in Iowa.[2] At the end of 2010, the installed capacity for wind power in Iowa was 3675 megawatts (MW), a little less than 10% of the total wind capacity in the U.S. No significant additions were made to Iowa's wind power generating capacity in 2010.[3]

Perhaps you should look at the growth curve for wind power in the US. And we have just started.

Wind Powering America: U.S. Installed Wind Capacity and Wind Project Locations

I have been to Iowa & checked out these wind farms first hand. I do not live that far from there. They will hit the wind energy generating ceiling very soon. Texas has already hit it & spills off much of its wind energy at night when energy demand is low & wind energy output is to high. Many of their wind turbines are forced to feather their blades & turn out of the wind as the power regulators dump the excess power. The only way to get more power from wind & solar is massive storage. days worth of energy storage between winds & cloudless days. Germany can't create enough storage by 2022.

 

[KissMy]

Texas is trying to smooth some of its erratic wind energy headaches for grid operators.

Texas to install world’s largest wind energy storage system

...Xtreme Power to install a 36-megawatt battery at the 153-megawatt Notrees Windpower Project near Kermit, Texas.

That's one big battery. Such technology is likely to become crucial as wind farms become ever larger but erratic suppliers of electricity to the grid. In wind-blown West Texas, the region's massive turbine farms can generate more electricity than the grid can handle at some times while all but ceasing production at other times. That creates headaches for grid operators, and the ability to store wind energy and release it when needed would help smooth out the ebbs and flows of the electricity stream.

"This system will store excess wind energy and discharge it whenever demand for electricity is highest -- not just when wind turbine blades are turning. In addition to increasing the supply of renewable energy during periods of peak demand," Duke said in a statement...

The Department of Energy has thrown in $22 million for the project, with Duke matching the grant with another $22 million. Duke and Xtreme plan to plug in the battery by late 2012.

 

[Old Rocks]

Texas is trying to smooth some of its erratic wind energy headaches for grid operators.

Texas to install world’s largest wind energy storage system

...Xtreme Power to install a 36-megawatt battery at the 153-megawatt Notrees Windpower Project near Kermit, Texas.

That's one big battery. Such technology is likely to become crucial as wind farms become ever larger but erratic suppliers of electricity to the grid. In wind-blown West Texas, the region's massive turbine farms can generate more electricity than the grid can handle at some times while all but ceasing production at other times. That creates headaches for grid operators, and the ability to store wind energy and release it when needed would help smooth out the ebbs and flows of the electricity stream.

"This system will store excess wind energy and discharge it whenever demand for electricity is highest -- not just when wind turbine blades are turning. In addition to increasing the supply of renewable energy during periods of peak demand," Duke said in a statement...

The Department of Energy has thrown in $22 million for the project, with Duke matching the grant with another $22 million. Duke and Xtreme plan to plug in the battery by late 2012.

Thank you. Interesting. Like to see the overall cost on this.

If they can get the cost of storage down far enough, this would make PV and wind very viable, expecially as the PV becomes more efficient.

 

[martybegan]

Texas is trying to smooth some of its erratic wind energy headaches for grid operators.

Texas to install world’s largest wind energy storage system

...Xtreme Power to install a 36-megawatt battery at the 153-megawatt Notrees Windpower Project near Kermit, Texas.

That's one big battery. Such technology is likely to become crucial as wind farms become ever larger but erratic suppliers of electricity to the grid. In wind-blown West Texas, the region's massive turbine farms can generate more electricity than the grid can handle at some times while all but ceasing production at other times. That creates headaches for grid operators, and the ability to store wind energy and release it when needed would help smooth out the ebbs and flows of the electricity stream.

"This system will store excess wind energy and discharge it whenever demand for electricity is highest -- not just when wind turbine blades are turning. In addition to increasing the supply of renewable energy during periods of peak demand," Duke said in a statement...

The Department of Energy has thrown in $22 million for the project, with Duke matching the grant with another $22 million. Duke and Xtreme plan to plug in the battery by late 2012.

Thank you. Interesting. Like to see the overall cost on this.

If they can get the cost of storage down far enough, this would make PV and wind very viable, expecially as the PV becomes more efficient.

I'm not sure if batteries are the way to go with this, as they are often expensive, and any current or near current battery technology would take up quite a bit of space.

I would consider a hydraulic solution to the question of energy storage, using two large bodies of water either in man made lagoons or tanks. Using excess energy you pump water to the higher level, and when needed let it flow to the lower level through a turbine.

This would still use up a significant amount of space, but the technology to implement the power generation, pumps, turbines, generators is very mature and reliable.

 

[Toronado3800]

Texas is trying to smooth some of its erratic wind energy headaches for grid operators.

Texas to install world’s largest wind energy storage system

Thank you. Interesting. Like to see the overall cost on this.

If they can get the cost of storage down far enough, this would make PV and wind very viable, expecially as the PV becomes more efficient.

I'm not sure if batteries are the way to go with this, as they are often expensive, and any current or near current battery technology would take up quite a bit of space.

I would consider a hydraulic solution to the question of energy storage, using two large bodies of water either in man made lagoons or tanks. Using excess energy you pump water to the higher level, and when needed let it flow to the lower level through a turbine.

This would still use up a significant amount of space, but the technology to implement the power generation, pumps, turbines, generators is very mature and reliable.

Using pumped water for energy storage is old school at least in Missouri. I fully approve. Should be easy enough to get land for if you promise folks they can fish on the lakes and spillway.