The winds of change are blowing. Here is yet another interesting proposal to harness the energy expended by the burning of fossil fuels. Wind turbines incorporated into highway dividers will reclaim the energy of cars racing by, which will then be used to power public rail transportation.
While it remains to be seen where and how quickly such technologies will be exploited, it gives some sense of comfort to the mind knowing that this kind of thinking, and planning for the future, is in play. Of course it can happen none to soon. It also addresses the concerns of those who find wind farms unsightly. Personally however, I think a wind farm as a border between development and the everglades could be a beautiful and poetic commentary on the transition between man and nature.
The winds of change are blowing. Here is yet another interesting proposal to harness the energy expended by the burning of fossil fuels. Wind turbines incorporated into highway dividers will reclaim the energy of cars racing by, which will then be used to power public rail transportation.
While it remains to be seen where and how quickly such technologies will be exploited, it gives some sense of comfort to the mind knowing that this kind of thinking, and planning for the future, is in play. Of course it can happen none to soon. It also addresses the concerns of those who find wind farms unsightly. Personally however, I think a wind farm as a border between development and the everglades could be a beautiful and poetic commentary on the transition between man and nature.
Dear Sir,
You call this “planning for the future”? More like crazy talk to assuage the guilt of car owners while the ice poles melt ever faster. To give this idea serious consideration is just beyond belief. Its more along the lines of - well lets build a transit system so other people will get off the road and make more room for my car! The question begged here is why all of those inefficient and wasteful car drivers are taking the same commute driving all alone along the same route when they could hop on mass transit and save something like 1,000 times more energy and green house gas emissions?
This is most likely the most inefficient idea ever proposed. This proposal is VERY destructive for muddying the waters proposing something outlandish to maintain the status quo. Can you name one legitimate environmental organization advocating this proposal? No, they would be laughed out of the room! This is such a bad policy and so inefficient as to make its suggestion just plain lunacy. What is the return on energy spent? Compare this to an electric car, an idea much closer to reality and so much more efficient and there just is no contest. What next the Hydrogen car? By the way where is that hydrogen Hummer we were promised by Arnold during the campaign for his first election?
I understand your frustration, however as you say ‘people will get off the road’. Whatever the motive is, it could reduce the number of autos causing the ice poles to melt. Secondly, any transit built requires energy to run it. This could at least recycle the energy of burning fuel. Making it work twice, cutting consumption and its output of CO2. I don’t believe we are going to be seeing all transportation being mass transportation anytime soon. Any step toward the solution is a good step.
I cannot imagine a wind farm next to the Everglades. Native and other bird populations already lack enough safe spaces to survive and thrive. Florida birds and migrating birds don’t need to be butchered by giant wind turbines because we can’t find ways to cut back on our insatiable need for more energy.
It has been identified that only one wind farm globally, in CA, had a negative impact on bird populations. That problem received much attention, and due study. Much research has been done on the threat and it showed that birds quickly adapt to the new installation.
Dear Sir, How do you justify the capital costs of trying to save the few crumbs of energy expended during rush hour by passing cars when there is constant sources of solar and wind further along than this lunacy. Never mind wave, tidal, and the others. Who is proposing this? It is a publicity stunt along the lines of those poorly though out transit systems supported but not utilized by existing drivers because they want Others to ride transit.
I would love to see all kinds of solar and wind power harnessed and redirected. You are right, these technologies have existed for some time and are only marginally utilized. I understand that you see it as a pr stunt. It is an interesting perspective. I only sought to share any and all possibilities. I do not know the capital costs or the intended source of them. Thanks for your comments.