Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> But Disney could just as easily purchase cheap land anywhere in the country and put the power into the grid << Yes they could, and that would be a grand notion. I like the idea. But I think they would prefer to have something that they could also put on display, while it's doing what it's doing. Disney owning a windfarm on the northwest coast of the USA, feeding power to DisneyWorld isn't very exciting from DisneyWorld. At least the Energy Pavilion solar panels on the roof at Epcot are right there, and visible.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy I don't think it would be truly feasible, but wouldn't it be cool if there were, say, a half dozen huge wind generators spinning high above the visible horizon, out over (probably) the west side of Epcot. So it would be out over the Land. The problem would be that when there was no wind, you'd have to artificially continue to spin them for the sake of show. Thus consuming additional power, instead of generating it.
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn There's no such thing as zero impact to the environment. Surely seagulls are temporarily blinded by the high reflectivity of the cells. Grass and trees cannot grow on the current plot of Universe of Energy.
Originally Posted By Gregor Kennesaw Tom, Don't get me wrong. I believe solar power is viable. It would be great if every building generated 15% of its electrical needs that way. I was just pointing out that solar panels are one of the most inefficient ways of producing power. Too large of a space is needed to generate even the most modest amounts of power. At best, they can they only be used on a small scale like the Energy Pavilion to supplement an existing power grid. And don't be fooled that solar power doesn't have an impact on the environment or that it's "free" after the initial installation cost. Solar power has its "cost" just like most other energy producing methods: 1. The production of the photo cells themselves gives off pollution to the environment. While it's manageable it is still pollution nonetheless. 2. Animals are displaced (or worse) as their habitats are destroyed or altered (shade) by the panels 3. The large areas of reflective surface cause the surrounding areas to heat up and thus changing the environment they were placed in by changing the climate (to me, that would be the opposite of trying to be "green") 4. Solar panels have a high maintenance cost. The panels need to be cleaned frequently of dust and pollutants and dried water (rain) or else they become less efficient. They are are also made of a fragile material, usually glass. They break easily and need to be replaced frequently
Originally Posted By dixielandings This dont sound very green to me "The Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon Hydrilla Monitoring and Treatment Program: Challenges to control nuisance aquatic plants have created the need for greater efficiencies in resource allocation. A weekly monitoring program measuring plant growth, plant health and water quality parameters is now in process. In addition, laboratory growth response studies are ongoing to determine the most efficient herbicide application rates. The results of these studies are expected to decrease cost of chemical treatment while minimizing the introduction of chemicals to surface waters. The overall goal is to achieve and maintain a balanced ecosystem of native flora and fauna taking advantage of any natural predatory or competitive factors that might aid in the control of these invasive plants." from the RCID site <a href="http://www.rcid.org/Dept_Environmental.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.rcid.org/Dept_Envir onmental.cfm</a>
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn I think my laptop being on is worth at least two dead squirrels. Fair trade.
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn Just remember, the more extinctions we influence, the easier biology class gets.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom LOL. mrkthompsn someday I need to meet you. I bet your the life of the party!
Originally Posted By Socrates Perhaps what we need is a wind-powered monorail? This of all the problems that technology would solve! Socrates "The unexamined life is not worth living."
Originally Posted By Socrates Uh, that's supposed to be "Think of all the problems..." Socrates "Sorry"
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> Perhaps what we need is a wind-powered monorail? << Just think of it! The monorail with sails!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss They need to figure out a way to use Central FL humidity as a source of energy.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I would really like to see Disney approach the state of Florida and say. Look we have a billion dollars and we can spend it anywhere.<< HA! As long as Disney has british advisors telling them how to stuff the earnings in their top management pockets.. that is very unlikely.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I agree. Which is exactly why I created this thread. The one glaring thing I brought back from this past trip is just how massive the WDW really is. In my opinion. They are not so green anymore. Instead of being part of the solution to our nations energy "addiction". The Disney company is contributing to it. Build, build, build. Meanwhile, is there a surface of Orlando that isn't paved under? All that congestion and noise.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^^WDW, and all of Central FLA, used to be such a green place. A great escape from South Florida, where they really did pave over paradise and put in many parking lots, subdivisions, big box retailers and strip center upon strip center. Sadly, Central Florida is looking the same way. But, hey, you can't stop 'progress' can you? Least that's what all those greedy ... nevermind ... why waste my breath?
