Roger, when using the term "tree hugger" I did not intend it to sound like it was being used in a derogatory manner. Truth be told I am one myself. Both my wife an I have been active supporters of the "Canadian Wildlife Federation" for many years. What gets me is when people think their electric cars have a zero carbon footprint. And when they think everybody should rush out and buy one. Logistics my friend, logistics. Lets at least get some of our ducks lined up before that rush.
The fact remains that the "enviromentalists " are the ones who bring to the fore the pitfalls with each method used to produce power. What I am saying is - we will need more power to support a large # of electric cars. So - lets bring industry, power companies and the enviromental interests together. Just like on a ship, a problem is reported, a solution is requested, options are weighed - then the necessary logistics to put the best plan into effect.
I agree that one isolated, regulated power generating station with controls in place will no doubt have a smaller carbon footprint than all our gas guzzlers running about hither and yon. I also agree that in off peak times we have the capacity to charge many cars.
As to capacity - I disagree. During hot, muggy weather when air conditioners are at full blast we have advisories issued to conserve power. Brownouts are common, rolling blackouts are imposed, and in the worst case a total blackout. With an increasing older generation, increased populations, global warming, and increased respiratory ailments from pollution I don't see the use of air conditioners decreasing.
The problem is that A/C power cannot be stored, you generate it and use it - or you must dump the excess and /or ramp down the generators. Some methods like nuclear are harder to ramp down on a moments notice.
The problem as Jay pointed out re. wind and solar is that we have to have the capacity to meet peak demand at any given moment. Electric cars used mainly by commuters in urban areas may not pose a problem if they are charged at home at night. If they were to be all charged at the office downtown during the day then that would be adding a huge demand during peak hours in a high use area.
Some have lamented that the goverment seems to be throwing up roadblocks in the way of companies attempting to bring these cars to market. I believe the problem here is gas/road tax that is used to maintain our roads. If our gas guzzlers are to be replaced with electric - then how will the road tax on each Kw used to fuel these cars be quantified, collected and protected from fraud? It would be naive to think misuse and fraud would not happen. If the goverment owned and controlled all the charging stations and that was the only place you could charge your car - then the solution would be simple. The reality however is that most of these charging stations will be owned by private enterprise and when possible most people will charge their cars at home. So what controls, checks and balances can be put into effect to ensure that the required amount of road tax is collected?
Most oil providers are "business", while most utilities are "goverment". When the consumer demands more oil, the company will drill another well and the cost of that will be paid by the people using that product. If a few million more electric cars on the road require the taxpayer to build more generating facilities, is that cost going to be passed on unilaterally across the board? Are the lower/fixed income families who can't even afford a car and are struggling just to put food on their tables going to be shouldered with the burden of subsidizing the fuel for our new hybrid?
Power stations also need a "margin" they cannot be expected to operate at 100% - 24 - 365. Normally one section will be shut down during an off period for inspections, maintainance and/or repairs, then brought back on line, etc.
Maybe some 14 year old will invent a supper/mini battery or capacitor that will store huge amounts of A/C power. Or figure out how to deliver A/C power the way bits of information are transmitted over the internet. Non critical loads such as charging cars could receive power in bits as space was available in the transmission lines! :idea (pulse charging)
Regards, Rob
