[Leica] A First

[henningw at archiphoto.com (Henning Wulff)]

At 1:44 PM -0700 4/22/05, Adam Bridge wrote:
>There's a lot of work being done in the fuel-cell and similiar
>technology spaces.
>
>In the world of submarines it's called "Air Independent Propulsion".
>There are many routes being explored, especially by EU nations.
>Although the massive amount of electrical power needed by a submarine
>for propulsion and operation isn't required for something like a car,
>there is lots to be learned by building at the larger scale and then
>working down.
>
>New and more efficient solar cells are continuing to be developed with
>both lower production costs and better conversion efficiency. And the
>biologists might have some technology too in future decades.
>
>In the short-run we just have to be more efficient and figure ways to
>boot-strap to a different technology and different way of thinking.
>
>I have serious doubts that the current administration in D.C. is
>thinking at ALL so we'll have to do it in spite of them.
>
>Adam


Conservation has to be our main concern at the moment, as it will 
reap the greatest rewards in the short term. For that to be effective 
we have to modify our demands and expectations, which means changing 
human behavior so it might be one of the most difficult things, 
barring a sudden catastrophe.

Here in Vancouver we have Ballard Power, one of the prime companies 
involved in developing fuel cells. For better or worse, mostly the 
latter :-(, I have had Ballard stock for a while. The proctical 
implementation keeps getting pushed back.

The solar electric cells are still, for the most part, a feel-good 
technology as the life cycle costs are generally a lot higher than 
the power savings costs, even in things like building integrated 
technologies where the solar panels replace some of the building 
components (thus replacing that expenditure). Solar panel shingles 
exist, as does solar panel spandrel glazing. Unfortunately the 
cheaper, amorphous silicon cells are the less efficient ones as well.

This makes sense for things that are off the grid, but anyone who is 
on the grid is better off economically by a serious factor to leave 
solar power alone (at present). Also, the environmental impacts of 
production of the solar power cells and components is rarely 
addressed.

In my architectural practice I've dealt quite a bit with solar power, 
both hot water systems and electrical generation systems, but while 
they are useful for remote locations and some of the many islands 
around here, they generally don't make much sense where you can get 
BC Hydro power outlets. Changes in tax structures and production 
methods, as well as solar power advances will change that, but it 
will still be a while.

Meanwhile, the sustainable heretofor wasted energy that is cost 
effective in many cases is geothermal energy in conjunction with heat 
pumps. We have many instances of that being used successfully here.

-- 
    *            Henning J. Wulff
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