Threat of Power Shortages Generating New Urgency

[flashl]

Source: Washington Post

Energy Year of Decisions: Threat of Power Shortages Generating New Urgency

Electric power has already become painfully expensive in Washington and its suburbs. Now, local utilities say, it could become something even worse: scarce.

With its humming data centers and air-conditioned mansions, the region is using 18 percent more electricity than in 2001. And as demand has gone up, so have prices. Some homeowners have seen their rates jump by half or more.

Utility and government officials say the region has to face the idea that its demand for electricity could overtake the supply. In a little more than three years, they say, lights could flicker off in rolling blackouts.

To avert such shortages, electric companies have proposed a transmission line through the Loudoun countryside, a third nuclear reactor in Calvert County and other controversial projects. Even if the projects are built, they won't come online for years. Environmentalists say the region could solve many of its problems simply by conserving energy.

Washington Post

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/02/AR2008020202554.html?hpid%3Dmoreheadlines&sub=AR

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Enron vs California redux with a twist? Give me nuclear or else.

[ixion]

1. Distributed alternative energy systems

that's all they need to do. But no, they'd rather put in another nuclear reactor. :eyes:

We get what we deserve.

[4dsc]

2. What alternative energy sources??

I just hate it that most people think you can put up a few solar panel and windmills and the long term problems are solved.. SO tell us you plan please..

[FreakinDJ]

5. Actually that would work

You could put up a few solar panels (on every commercial property) and it would alleviate the near time problem. In every major city and suburb there are 1000s of acres of commercial flat top roofs that could generating electricity

AND MAKE THE BUSINESS MORE PROFITABLE

Duh – who would Da Thunk it!! Lower your energy bill and your profits go up.

Problem is we need to create the demand for energy systems to drive R&D and develop cheaper more efficient systems. Kinda like we didn't have a rocket to take men to the moon until we created the moon program. Just think how many of our parents swore up and down they would Never see man walk on the moon

But yes hopefully sooner fission will come on line.

[ixion]

6. what sources? are you really asking that question?

Between geothermal, wave motion, wind and solar, there is more than enough energy just floating around us than we currently use. The key is to harness it.

And yes: putting up a hybrid system of wind and solar, coupled with changing your energy usage habits will more than solve the problem. The key is making those systems available, something our government has failed to do. They'd prefer to give billions to Big Energy in the form of subsidies, rather than making it available to the people who fund those subsidies.

[FreakinDJ]

9. Wind, Solar, and Thermal Dynamic Cooling

I'm talking about legislating all commercial properties (malls, strip malls, flat top roofs) to generate 20% of the power they consume by 2012 - 40% by 2018

[ixion]

11. yep, I agree... I think they could even do better than that, if they really

put their mind to it.

[DavidMS]

4. Never been a fan of distributed systems

The easiest fix is to replace light bulbs and turn things off at night. I have a modest place and paid over $100 for AC in August of last year. Now, I have replaced many light bulbs with CFCLs (got a couple left), turn the computer and router off at night and plan to replace the windows. Smart meters are the way to go and simpler regulations on building carbon natural electrical generation systems. Solar is still rather expensive but the Chesapeake bay and Atlantic coasts have plenty of wind. A good layout of wind farms can provide approximately 30% of rated capacity as base power load. Sticking MW on people's homes is still too expensive.

For me it comes down to wind turbines, smart meters and good insulation. Higher electricity costs will lead to conservation.

[ixion]

7. Higher costs leading to conservation are a red herring, and ultimately have the worst effect

on the working class.

It's a sadistic approach, IMO. The key is to teach people to fish, as it were, rather than raising the price of fish.

Teach people how to create their own energy, and you give them energy independence. Raise the price but keep the current infrastructure, and you do nothing but put more money in the hands of Big Energy.

By way of example, I offer every single major oil company. All of them are currently experiencing record profits. If your theory were true, this would not be the case.

[bemildred]

8. Insulation can be amazingly cheap, and it's a one time cost. nt

[Earth_First]

3. This will become the newest front in the class warfare debate...

It's related to the failing infrastructure that this country fails to address.

The have's and have not's will have another separation between the two: electricity.

[Oreegone]

10. Green gyms

Lets hook up all those bikes in work out gyms to the power grid. No really, think about it.

[FreakinDJ]

12. I have too

Wondering if one could market a line of professional gym equipment that generated eletricity