Yesterday we took a two hour bus ride out to Chena Hot Springs Resort for the 3rd Annual Energy Fair. Bernie Karl is taking grants from the Denali Commission to pay for a turbine that capitalizes on the temperature difference between his 160 degree privately owned hot spring and the air temperature. This creates for him an unlimited source of 5 cent/kwh energy with a large supply of hydrogen for running generators and in the future, his buses. He holds this fair every year to highlight the work being done in this area to promote sustainable energy sources.
The idea is great. He uses the turbines exactly like air conditioners. Water from the hot spring heats a coolant which turns a generator and voila: electricity. Unfortunately, most people don't own a hot spring and this one is private. He uses the electricity and hydrogen only for himself. The greenhouse is heated by "free electricity" and hot water and the food is sold or used in his restaurant. What a sweet deal! I think I should explore more grants!
Some of the other sustainable energy displays were electric cars- retrofitted by the owner, wood powered furnaces, hydrogen retrofitting for generators, high efficiency batteries and then there were other displays by FFA (Future Farmers) and governmental agencies on how to be more ecologically responsible.
In my opinion, there needs to be more capacity for using alternative "free" power, like solar, wind and geothermal. These are like air- public. If the government pays for the development, then everyone should benefit.
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