James Horgen, Solar Power Limited, Bethany Beach, USA
Geothermal reservoirs and solar energy systems
In reply to the letter by Robert G. Coenen on the option of geothermal energy, this is indeed a cost-efficient way to generate electric power, provided that there is a geothermal resource. Drilling a well and testing the temperatures deep underground is the only way to determine whether such a geothermal reservoir exists in Malta, i.e. at least 10,000 feet to find a layer hot enough to boil water. If the budget is available, this test could be done.
Meanwhile, solar electric systems, once installed, have no "cleaning and maintenance" or "dust and salt" issues and are extremely reliable.
The sun shines in Malta nearly every day and when it does megawatts of power can be stored, as is now being done by the American Electric Power utility in the US State of Ohio, using newly developed RE storage technologies permitting 24-hour dispatchable solar electric power.
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lgalea
Nov 14th 2008, 08:01
J Martinelli
Agree that old appliances should be replaced, but do the people have the money to replace them? That is the big question.
Another problem is how can you replace a refrigerator, sewing machine, night lamp etc bulbs which are only 3 or 5 watts and only on intermittently.
I would have agreed had the new tax been imposed on high wattage bulbs, say from 60W upwards, but to also impose it on these small bulbs it simply becomes another tax.
This is what other countries are doing on electricity.
Denmark considers free electricity at night
Today @ 09:46 CET (13.11.2008)
A majority in the Danish parliament is set to lower energy prices and may even permit electricity to be consumed for free at night and when the wind blows. The aim is to save CO2 by moving consumption to times with a surplus of energy. Electricity from the country’s many windmills cannot be stored.
http://euobserver.com/tickers/4184
J Martinelli
Nov 13th 2008, 13:23
In recent months the public interest in alternate sources of energy has peaked. Many, including foreign contributors have come up with commendable plans however some may not appreciate the small area where solar panels can be installed without further depriving the public of the limited countryside which it can enjoy.
Some other suggestions are uneconomic at the present based on conventional costs of generating power. Once the price of oil returns to the high levels of a few months ago, which it is expected to do, then drilling 10,000 feet to try and find a geothermal spot may become feasible. The added bonus could be that while drilling 10,000 feet we may encounter oil and a lot of gas.
But where does one drill? More studies, more environmental impact studies, more searching for investors, more government participation? Our need to at least partially replace polluting generation with clean and renewable sources are much more urgent than more years of study.
In the meantime, all those clamouring for the government to step it up, should themselves embark on a conservation programme replacing old incandescent lamps with less consuming energy efficient fluorescent, replace old power hungry appliances and switch off unnecessary lighting.
Sandro Agius
Nov 13th 2008, 11:55
Do we have enough land to place Solar Panels as Americans do in Ohio?