On 6/1/2011 11:43 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:

If you look at the cost of ownership equation, wind power has a very
high front end cost, but after that operating costs drops drastically.


There aren't enough locations with reliable wind sources to make wind
power a viable option for ore than a small fraction of existing energy
needs.

As every sailor knows, the wind is free, but putting it to use gets
expensive.

Wind power is actually solar power, one or two steps removed. If money
isn't a major consideration, solar heat is more viable. The sun shines
everywhere. Build a massive solar heat powered steam turbine generator.
Give it enough excess capacity to convert water to hydrogen during the
day. Store the hydrogen and burn it when the sun isn't shining. Repeat
as needed.