Much as I like the idea of using these nontraditional methods for power generation, we need a dose of facts when anyone comes forward to propose such changes in power supplies. For example, wind is certainly a non-carbon source, but it's not a non-polluter. ...we also need to keep the "law of unintended consequences" in mind. We need to add these sources to both fossil and nuclear plants and traditional generation systems, which work without wind or sunshine.

The media and blogosphere are full of references to environmental Not-In-My-Back-Yard types who call for the creation and promotion of new and miraculous energy sources while simultaneously demanding that they not be produced "here."

On the instantly acceptable side of the ledger is a proposed wind farm using a renewable source - South Florida's ubiquitous winds - along with a thermal-solar facility.

Much as I like the idea of using these nontraditional methods for power generation, we need a dose of facts when anyone comes forward to propose such changes in power supplies.

For example, wind is certainly a non-carbon source, but it's not a non-polluter.

Near the Horicon Marsh, a national wildlife refuge in central Wisconsin, the Meyer family keeps a daily log of the noise produced by the 83 wind turbines adjacent to their farm. Residents as far as three miles away complain of headaches and a general feeling of "unwellness" since construction of the wind plant.

The cause? The noise. Wind plants produce a combination of an audible whooshing sound and very high levels of low- and very low-frequency noise. Humans can't register hearing the sounds, but they do experience the effects.

Much like the noise near airports, this is an unintended but predictable consequence. Thermal-solar is also appealing. It uses the heat energy converted from sunlight focused onto a pipe full of a fluid that provides steam to turn the turbines.

As with nuclear, solar energy is simply the heat source for a conventional power plant. There isn't any noise, but there is the interesting problem of having a collector that gets remarkably hot and may well create a no-fly zone for air traffic. The collectors are parabolic mirrors that always keep the sun at maximum focus to provide the most efficient level of heat. They can't help but reflect light toward the sky, which is coincidentally where we keep the planes.

Don't get me wrong, both of these systems are grand and good ideas, and we need to pursue them. But we also need to keep the "law of unintended consequences" in mind. We need to add these sources to both fossil and nuclear plants and traditional generation systems, which work without wind or sunshine.

Special interests can torpedo these old and new systems with negativity, but it's mostly just plain ignorance by an uninformed public that does the most damage to energy progress.

Web link: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-soren...