The unsustainability of "green" energy

[P@triot]

Don't get me wrong - "green" energy is a great concept. But so is cold fusion, automobiles that run on water, and a world without wars. Unfortunately, all of them are absurd pipe-dreams at this time.

The problem with "green" energy is the cost/benefit ratio. You have to spend millions of dollars to get the energy equivalent of a AAA battery (I'm exaggerating obviously but sadly not by a whole lot). Which makes it an unsustainable business venture. The federal government illegally invested half a billion dollars into Solyndra and they still went bankrupt.

Now, the world's largest renewable energy developer is also on the verge of bankruptcy as well. The government needs to get out of the green energy business and allow the private sector to fund all research and development. We're $19 trillion in debt because of illegal nonsense like that, and we can't afford to keep betting on a loser. Some day, technology will advance to the point where green energy will be a viable and brilliant solution. But that time is not now and pumping billions of dollars a year for over 4 decades now has yielded no ROI (and even if it had, it is still unconstitutional and that is all that matters).

World's largest renewable energy developer on verge of bankruptcy

 

[Agit8r]

Fossil fuels are cheap to produce because much of it is practically given away to the companies through federal leases.

 

[ABikerSailor]

You stated that you have to spend a million dollars to get the equivalent of an AAA battery.

Ever heard of portable solar panels? They sell them in the stores, and here in Amarillo, one of those stores is called Battery Joe's.

The panels cost about 25 or 30 bucks, will last for several years, and are capable of fully charging a cell phone or tablet in a few hours.

Some people run their whole house off the grid from solar and wind power, and they usually don't spend more than 10,000 on equipment that they can use for years.

I don't think your argument holds water.

 

[The Great Goose]

Green energy works when it's owned by the individual. If you can live off the solar panels on your roof then it works.

 

[ABikerSailor]

Green energy works when it's owned by the individual. If you can live off the solar panels on your roof then it works.

It also works for the nation as well. Look at how much energy France gets from green sources.

 

[westwall]

Fossil fuels are cheap to produce because much of it is practically given away to the companies through federal leases.

No, they are cheap to produce because they are cheap to produce. They are also efficient as hell. Take a look at Branson and his effort to push bio jet fuel. It costs 38 bucks a gallon compared to 5 bucks for regular jet fuel. Only a moron would think it is smart to spend that much on fuel. Especially when it is realized that MORE fossil fuel was expended in producing that bio fuel, than is being replaced by that bio fuel.

 

[Skull Pilot]

Green energy works when it's owned by the individual. If you can live off the solar panels on your roof then it works.

It also works for the nation as well. Look at how much energy France gets from green sources.

They get 80% from nuclear
BTW I think nuclear is green energy especially if a next generation breeder reactor is used.

 

[Toddsterpatriot]

Fossil fuels are cheap to produce because much of it is practically given away to the companies through federal leases.

World oil production is over 90 million barrels a day.
How much of that falls under your "federal lease give away" scenario?

 

[Manonthestreet]

You stated that you have to spend a million dollars to get the equivalent of an AAA battery.

Ever heard of portable solar panels? They sell them in the stores, and here in Amarillo, one of those stores is called Battery Joe's.

The panels cost about 25 or 30 bucks, will last for several years, and are capable of fully charging a cell phone or tablet in a few hours.

Some people run their whole house off the grid from solar and wind power, and they usually don't spend more than 10,000 on equipment that they can use for years.

I don't think your argument holds water.

Tried two those....they both are in the trash.....tried solar spot light....good thing they let you plug it into the house or it would be in the trash.

 

[OnePercenter]

Green energy works when it's owned by the individual. If you can live off the solar panels on your roof then it works.

My property in San Diego (Coronado) receives 93% of electricity (including my car) used via solar. Still have 21 years on the warranty.

According to Republicans in Nevada, solar should only be for the rich.

 

[Agit8r]

Fossil fuels are cheap to produce because much of it is practically given away to the companies through federal leases.

World oil production is over 90 million barrels a day.
How much of that falls under your "federal lease give away" scenario?

Most of it in this country. Other sweetheart deals in other countries.

 

[Toddsterpatriot]

Fossil fuels are cheap to produce because much of it is practically given away to the companies through federal leases.

World oil production is over 90 million barrels a day.
How much of that falls under your "federal lease give away" scenario?

Most of it in this country. Other sweetheart deals in other countries.

Most? How many barrels?

 

[Wyatt earp]

You stated that you have to spend a million dollars to get the equivalent of an AAA battery.

Ever heard of portable solar panels? They sell them in the stores, and here in Amarillo, one of those stores is called Battery Joe's.

The panels cost about 25 or 30 bucks, will last for several years, and are capable of fully charging a cell phone or tablet in a few hours.

Some people run their whole house off the grid from solar and wind power, and they usually don't spend more than 10,000 on equipment that they can use for years.

I don't think your argument holds water.

You live in Amarillo texas? Kind of a cool town.


I was reading yesterday about 3d printers that reproduce / mining the moon/ making solar panels to put in earths orbit kind of interesting.



Solar Panels Grown On The Moon Could Power The Earth



.

 

[OnePercenter]

Fossil fuels are cheap to produce because much of it is practically given away to the companies through federal leases.

No, they are cheap to produce because they are cheap to produce. They are also efficient as hell. Take a look at Branson and his effort to push bio jet fuel. It costs 38 bucks a gallon compared to 5 bucks for regular jet fuel. Only a moron would think it is smart to spend that much on fuel. Especially when it is realized that MORE fossil fuel was expended in producing that bio fuel, than is being replaced by that bio fuel.

No, they are cheap to produce because they are cheap to produce. They are also efficient as hell. Take a look at Branson and his effort to push bio jet fuel. It costs 38 bucks a gallon compared to 5 bucks for regular jet fuel. Only a moron would think it is smart to spend that much on fuel. Especially when it is realized that MORE fossil fuel was expended in producing that bio fuel, than is being replaced by that bio fuel.

How much will it cost when mass produced?

 

[Toddsterpatriot]

Fossil fuels are cheap to produce because much of it is practically given away to the companies through federal leases.

No, they are cheap to produce because they are cheap to produce. They are also efficient as hell. Take a look at Branson and his effort to push bio jet fuel. It costs 38 bucks a gallon compared to 5 bucks for regular jet fuel. Only a moron would think it is smart to spend that much on fuel. Especially when it is realized that MORE fossil fuel was expended in producing that bio fuel, than is being replaced by that bio fuel.

No, they are cheap to produce because they are cheap to produce. They are also efficient as hell. Take a look at Branson and his effort to push bio jet fuel. It costs 38 bucks a gallon compared to 5 bucks for regular jet fuel. Only a moron would think it is smart to spend that much on fuel. Especially when it is realized that MORE fossil fuel was expended in producing that bio fuel, than is being replaced by that bio fuel.

How much will it cost when mass produced?

Who'd want to mass produce a fuel that costs 7 times what regular jet fuel costs?

 

[Agit8r]

Fossil fuels are cheap to produce because much of it is practically given away to the companies through federal leases.

World oil production is over 90 million barrels a day.
How much of that falls under your "federal lease give away" scenario?

Most of it in this country. Other sweetheart deals in other countries.

Most? How many barrels?

around 2 million barrels per day

Fact check: Oil and natural gas production under Obama - CNNPolitics.com

 

[Toddsterpatriot]

Fossil fuels are cheap to produce because much of it is practically given away to the companies through federal leases.

World oil production is over 90 million barrels a day.
How much of that falls under your "federal lease give away" scenario?

Most of it in this country. Other sweetheart deals in other countries.

Most? How many barrels?

around 2 million barrels per day

Fact check: Oil and natural gas production under Obama - CNNPolitics.com

So 2 million out of over 90 million is the only reason oil is so cheap?
Your math is weak.

 

[Agit8r]

Fossil fuels are cheap to produce because much of it is practically given away to the companies through federal leases.

World oil production is over 90 million barrels a day.
How much of that falls under your "federal lease give away" scenario?

Most of it in this country. Other sweetheart deals in other countries.

Most? How many barrels?

around 2 million barrels per day

Fact check: Oil and natural gas production under Obama - CNNPolitics.com

So 2 million out of over 90 million is the only reason oil is so cheap?
Your math is weak.

I see that oil from federal lands accounts for 21% of total production

https://www.eia.gov/analysis/requests/federallands/pdf/eia-federallandsales.pdf

touche.

 

[OnePercenter]

Fossil fuels are cheap to produce because much of it is practically given away to the companies through federal leases.

No, they are cheap to produce because they are cheap to produce. They are also efficient as hell. Take a look at Branson and his effort to push bio jet fuel. It costs 38 bucks a gallon compared to 5 bucks for regular jet fuel. Only a moron would think it is smart to spend that much on fuel. Especially when it is realized that MORE fossil fuel was expended in producing that bio fuel, than is being replaced by that bio fuel.

No, they are cheap to produce because they are cheap to produce. They are also efficient as hell. Take a look at Branson and his effort to push bio jet fuel. It costs 38 bucks a gallon compared to 5 bucks for regular jet fuel. Only a moron would think it is smart to spend that much on fuel. Especially when it is realized that MORE fossil fuel was expended in producing that bio fuel, than is being replaced by that bio fuel.

How much will it cost when mass produced?

Who'd want to mass produce a fuel that costs 7 times what regular jet fuel costs?

Who'd want to mass produce a fuel that costs 7 times what regular jet fuel costs?

Answer the question and we'll find out.

 

[OnePercenter]

Fossil fuels are cheap to produce because much of it is practically given away to the companies through federal leases.

World oil production is over 90 million barrels a day.
How much of that falls under your "federal lease give away" scenario?

Most of it in this country. Other sweetheart deals in other countries.

Most? How many barrels?

around 2 million barrels per day

Fact check: Oil and natural gas production under Obama - CNNPolitics.com

So 2 million out of over 90 million is the only reason oil is so cheap?
Your math is weak.

So 2 million out of over 90 million is the only reason oil is so cheap?
Your math is weak.

Oil is weak because investors made it cheap.