Alternative Energy Update March 6, 2008

• Cheap, Fast, High-Output Liquid Solar–An article in the New York Times describes a relatively new method of producing energy—solar thermal plants. Resembling photovoltaic cells, large swaths of panels are aligned in the desert, using the sun to heat liquid to produce steam. The steam operates turbines, which produces energy. Probably the best aspect of this method of alternative energy production is that they can produce huge quantities of power (equivalent to three nuclear reactors) yet they take a fraction of the time to construct (only two years).
  

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Solar Cell Production–A recent study concluded that, when compared with traditional fossil-fuel production, the manufacture of solar cells results in far fewer greenhouse gas emissions. While the production of solar cells requires the use of heavy metals, which are released into the atmosphere, traditional energy production releases much more damaging amounts of materials in the air.

• Tidal Turbines Under the Golden Gate Bridge–The quest to harness the power of the tides in San Francisco Bay has been ongoing for some time. The idea is to place underwater turbines beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and to partially meet the energy needs of the City of San Francisco. While alternative energy production is certainly a contentious issue, it might become more so in the coming years. This week, a report for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (PUC) found that submerging turbines under the Golden Gate Bridge to harness tidal power would be prohibitively expensive in terms of construction and maintenance costs. Mayor Gavin Newsom indicated that he would continue to pursue the project and make tidal power in San Francisco a reality. We obviously need alternative sources of energy. I agree with Mayor Newsom that San Francisco should continue to pursue the possibility of tidal power from San Francisco Bay.

Something Stinks in SF Bay February 28, 2008

The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting today that more sewage spills occurred so far in 2008 than in the last 7 ½ months of 2007. To be honest, with all of the wet weather those of us in the Bay Area have endured this year, I was not surprised to hear this news. But, it appears that problems with capacity and maintenance bear some responsibility for the sewage spills.

Sejal Choksi, program director of Baykeeper, a group dedicated to monitoring and protecting the water quality of San Francisco Bay, said that often Baykeeper’s research finds that more spills occur during dry conditions than on rainy days. Additionally, the article notes that many of the pipes in the Bay Area are old and cracking. Both of these facts point to problems with the capacity and maintenance of our waste treatment systems.

The scientists tell us that as we pump greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and the climate continues to change, we will undergo more severe storms. Let’s hope the Bay Area deals with these capacity and maintenance issues sooner rather than later.