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Gavin Hurt

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Are small local energy grids the future of energy?

Do you believe that with new, more sustainable sources of energy that we will see more and more communities start to create their own local energy grids rather that depending on large energy companies to supply them with power? Do you think it is possible for alternative energy sources to supply these communities with enough power? What are some of the obstacles that are preventing this from taking place?

Topics: alternative energy technology
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    Robert Winner 50+

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    Nov 22 2012: No. Gavin you do not tell us where you live and that would help in the answer. I am from the US and will reply only as I see it here in my area. I live within three miles of a power plant that will shut down in the next year or so because the current administration is implementing the Cap and Trade Laws that makes it impossiable to operate the power plant. There is no plan to replace the power that will be lost on the grid upon closure. There are three plants within 100 miles and all three will be closing. The price of KWh will rise greatly as demand will soon out weigh supply.

    The cost of generating local power is prohibative. There have been many meetings and the EPA representative has stated that the matter is political and he has no control over the situation.

    The idea that closures will occur without consideration of the loss to the grid is insane. The EPA agrees that there will be problems including brown out and blackouts and that cost will jump dynamically but "his hands are tied".

    If you find a answer we will be needing it in the US very soon. You may want to write me a letter as there may not be power for the PC ... oops the Post Office is going broke also so maybe no mail .... Do you happen to have a carrier pidgeon ... oops farmers are going broke and pidgeon meat may become a stable after UN Article 21 is employed ... rats ... at least I still have my health ... oops Obamacare is coming and I am in line (at the age of 70) for a meeting with the death panel ... Guess energy grids are not that important after all.

    The late Bob

    • John Smith 30+

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      Nov 22 2012: US environmental regulations are a joke compared to many other nations, if American companies can't operate a power plant and make a profit they're doing something wrong. No, the truth is natural gas and renewables are taking over the scene and yes, that may (I emphasize "may") raise the price of power slightly but power is ridiculously cheap in the US anyway, maybe that's why half of it gets wasted (the US uses twice as much power per capita as European countries with a similar standard of living), plus you'll get cleaner air and less of your taxes will go to coal subsidies and health care for people with repiratory diseases and lung cancer.

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