How clean are electric cars

[Thor]

Iceland obviously is a big fan of geothermal, but when we really needed to amp up our grid we went to a massive hydro electric project, 70% of our power consumption is used by 2 aluminum smelters...

Its really frustrating to talk to anti nuclear people, they just refuse to look at the facts and take an honest look at our current options.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I am hopeful that the nuclear reactors that Bill Gates has been working on actually come to fruition. Similar hopes in regards to Lockheed Martin's Fusion device. .

Well if Lockmart develops their fusion device anything like the F-35...

[SeeGeeWhy]

Originally Posted by evman150

60% of Canada's electricity is hydroelectric. We are a world leader in this regard (only China uses hydroelectricity more, but it's only 15% of their total). Canada and Brazil are the only major countries with >50% renewable electricity.

Can't believe Alberta still uses coal. Seems so backward. But then again, so does most of the US, so what do I know.

Stats here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electricity_generation

Here is a great James Conca article on energy mix and why pushing coal off is going to be a MAJOR challenge:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamescon...l-think-again/

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by terminator

I have a vision for gas vehicles to make a revival.

You have no young loved ones I assume?

[terminator]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

You have no young loved ones I assume?

I could or I could not. But I do want to cash in for their future now.

I'd be all for petroleum product powered electricity plants. but we know thats not feasible.

[SeeGeeWhy]

Originally Posted by terminator

I could or I could not. But I do want to cash in for their future now.

I'd be all for petroleum product powered electricity plants. but we know thats not feasible.

This shows how much you know about the subject.

[DoubleF]

I've always considered nuclear/geothermal(if possible) should be placed in the territories and southern provinces would be solar/wind/geothermal.

This is a nimby thing, not a logic thing. I like nuclear, but I think it should be placed somewhere incapable of affecting large populations, even if only to pretend it's safer that way. I've always wondered why there's so many nuclear plants placed close to tectonic plates.

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

Even so, isn't there some benefit to using electric cars, since fuel still needs to be transported? Sort of like the paper towel vs. blow dryer debate.

Yeah blow dryers are still ultimately coal powered, but you gain benefit from the fact that you don't have to put that electricity on a truck and drive it from the plant to the warehouse, and ultimately into stores.

[accord1999]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

I've always considered nuclear/geothermal(if possible) should be placed in the territories and southern provinces would be solar/wind/geothermal.

Transmission lines are expensive, and can be difficult to get the right of way plus there are increasing losses as the line gets longer.

I've always wondered why there's so many nuclear plants placed close to tectonic plates.

If they are, its only because there are not better options in terms of location to population centers and bodies of water for cooling.

[krynski]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

I forgot where I saw this... may have been a Dubai concept, but they considered turning roads into solar panels and electric cars somehow wirelessly drawing power from the road.

Personally, I'm a geothermal fan over solar. I'm also more a fan of wind over solar. The turbines near Pincher Creek are a sight to behold.

Yeah, but they kill a lot of bats.

[Azure]

Alberta could afford to build a nuclear plant. How expensive does it cost to run the thing though?

[accord1999]

Originally Posted by Azure

Alberta could afford to build a nuclear plant. How expensive does it cost to run the thing though?

The US Gov estimates $23.6/MWhr for a modern design.

http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/ele...generation.cfm