Thank you for the research and articulate post. I've had my doubts about any "green energy transition" since the first time I heard an engineer explaining the maintenance on a windmill...like 40 years ago. And while PVC "sounds" ok on the surface, it's made from oil. Etc,... Since a wood-powered future is nearly inevitable, you could not be more spot on that reducing energy consumption is the way. But that would mean giving up the lifestyle of modernity. Sigh.
"Green Energy" is the biggest fraud ever promoted on civilization. Any competent electric engineer knows that. It is not only unfeasible but will exacerbate climate change. We have been sold nothing more than hope.
Offshore wind farms will never survive a cat 5 hurricane. Transmission lines will be problematic.
Solar panels and battery banks are going to require constant maintenance and replacement. Sheep are not going to be up to the task. (Unless their humans given jobs from the homeless. That might work).
The ecocide from the batteries alone will outweigh the benefits.
Fusion energy is just around the corner! (1960). Fusion energy is just around the corner! (2025).
In the meantime let's send some more bombs to Ukraine and Gaza! Arrest and incarcerate some Americans for talking. Sweep some homeless under the rug and imprison them! Double prices for Americans by tariffs! Make America homeless! Yippee! I'm the greatest that ever lived!
"Green Energy" isn't a fraud, it's a misnomer — unless they start painting wind turbines and solar panels green.
The only *real* green energy is photosynthesizing plants. After the current spike of fossil sunlight goes away, everything will depend on the current sunlight harvested by photosynthesizing plants.
I'm just not sure there will be any humans around at that point.
I always liked how people who have it say how fabulous it is while the generator runs in the background charging the batteries for 4 or more hours. The batteries that have no electrolytes left in them. And the solar panels covered with leaves.
Most modern installations use maintenance-free lithium batteries, no?
I've got 24 100 AH flooded-cell NiCd batteries that I need to get some solar panels for. They have an automatic gravity-fed watering system. I need to buy tubing for it. I just got lugs for #6 wire so I can get 60 amps out of them.
People here are still using lead acid golf cart because of cost. I also don't buy into mfg claims for life expectations. Unless you have intelligent people maintain the system it's going to get screwed up some way. Most drain the battery down to the point where the inverter shuts down every day. They won't even maintain a gravity feed system.
They also expect to be able to run it like attached to the grid with whatever load they want. I've stopped beating my head against the wall. "No, 2 6 volt batteries won't run your electric stove."
I've convinced people around here that there's a HUGE difference between heat-producing electric devices and lights and computers!
I just found a 30 kW tractor-driven alternator. So we can have some electric hot water, as long as we're not running the electric oven at the same time!
The SAFT batteries I picked up (US$1,300 for 24) seem pretty durable. They are rated as well as lithium, with "several thousand" cycles "before refurbishing". Unlike lead acid, the plates don't get consumed. So "refurbishing" is a matter of emptying and flushing the cells and replacing the potassium hydroxide (KOH), lithium hydroxide (LiOH), and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) electrolyte.
I've also had long life from nickel-iron batteries.
Excellent piece as always. Thanks for doing the heavy lifting and filling in all the reasons left out in the marketing of green energy as to why green does not equal good. ❤️
Thank you for the research and articulate post. I've had my doubts about any "green energy transition" since the first time I heard an engineer explaining the maintenance on a windmill...like 40 years ago. And while PVC "sounds" ok on the surface, it's made from oil. Etc,... Since a wood-powered future is nearly inevitable, you could not be more spot on that reducing energy consumption is the way. But that would mean giving up the lifestyle of modernity. Sigh.
"Green Energy" is the biggest fraud ever promoted on civilization. Any competent electric engineer knows that. It is not only unfeasible but will exacerbate climate change. We have been sold nothing more than hope.
Offshore wind farms will never survive a cat 5 hurricane. Transmission lines will be problematic.
Solar panels and battery banks are going to require constant maintenance and replacement. Sheep are not going to be up to the task. (Unless their humans given jobs from the homeless. That might work).
The ecocide from the batteries alone will outweigh the benefits.
Fusion energy is just around the corner! (1960). Fusion energy is just around the corner! (2025).
In the meantime let's send some more bombs to Ukraine and Gaza! Arrest and incarcerate some Americans for talking. Sweep some homeless under the rug and imprison them! Double prices for Americans by tariffs! Make America homeless! Yippee! I'm the greatest that ever lived!
"Green Energy" isn't a fraud, it's a misnomer — unless they start painting wind turbines and solar panels green.
The only *real* green energy is photosynthesizing plants. After the current spike of fossil sunlight goes away, everything will depend on the current sunlight harvested by photosynthesizing plants.
I'm just not sure there will be any humans around at that point.
I've installed solar for years.
I always liked how people who have it say how fabulous it is while the generator runs in the background charging the batteries for 4 or more hours. The batteries that have no electrolytes left in them. And the solar panels covered with leaves.
Most modern installations use maintenance-free lithium batteries, no?
I've got 24 100 AH flooded-cell NiCd batteries that I need to get some solar panels for. They have an automatic gravity-fed watering system. I need to buy tubing for it. I just got lugs for #6 wire so I can get 60 amps out of them.
People here are still using lead acid golf cart because of cost. I also don't buy into mfg claims for life expectations. Unless you have intelligent people maintain the system it's going to get screwed up some way. Most drain the battery down to the point where the inverter shuts down every day. They won't even maintain a gravity feed system.
They also expect to be able to run it like attached to the grid with whatever load they want. I've stopped beating my head against the wall. "No, 2 6 volt batteries won't run your electric stove."
"But why not? They should."
It's why I have no faith in solar for the masses.
Good luck with your system.
HA! So true!
I've convinced people around here that there's a HUGE difference between heat-producing electric devices and lights and computers!
I just found a 30 kW tractor-driven alternator. So we can have some electric hot water, as long as we're not running the electric oven at the same time!
The SAFT batteries I picked up (US$1,300 for 24) seem pretty durable. They are rated as well as lithium, with "several thousand" cycles "before refurbishing". Unlike lead acid, the plates don't get consumed. So "refurbishing" is a matter of emptying and flushing the cells and replacing the potassium hydroxide (KOH), lithium hydroxide (LiOH), and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) electrolyte.
I've also had long life from nickel-iron batteries.
The batteries were dirt cheap. I've never used them. For the price they are throw aways. If you get a couple of refurbs your way ahead.
The genset must run off the PTO on the tractor. 30 kw will run the house and probably the H20 and stove same time maybe maxed out.
Solar water heaters are great depending on where you live.
Have fun. Sounds like you have a project!
BTW if you can afford marine wire use it. Installing is easier and longevity far better.
Excellent piece as always. Thanks for doing the heavy lifting and filling in all the reasons left out in the marketing of green energy as to why green does not equal good. ❤️
Thanks for this article. Even caring, smart people seem to be wearing blinders when it comes to "green energy." We need to get the word out!
You've welcome! Yes, many caring, smart people are only hearing part of the story.