Japanese Innovation Could Make Wind Power Cheaper Than Nuclear

[OnlinePoker]

Interesting idea.

http://www.geekosystem.com/japanese-wind-power/

My only concern is the wind entering the lens being faster than the ambient wind, birds would get sucked through a lot easier.

[bananas]

1. Wind is already cheaper than nuclear

and that's according to the CEO's of some of the largest nuclear power companies:

The CEO of Entergy: "the numbers just don't work." http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x248996

In May 2010, John Rowe, Exelon CEO, said that contrary to 2008, in 2009 lower prices for natural gas led to a new perspective: “new nuclear plants started to look very expensive,” and “wind began to look more attractive.”
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x309044

The CEO of Exelon: John Rowe: "My Last Nuclear Speech" - August 15, 2011 http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x308561

Some numbers from Exelon here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=115&topic_id=250709&mesg_id=251009

Constellation abandoned their plans for new reactors last year because they were too expensive.

CBO Report Finds Dept. of Energy Undercharging Energy Companies for Nuclear Loan Guarantees http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x306664

IEA chief: nuclear power will drop to 10% of global electricity by 2035 http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x304681

US Nuclear Industry Was In Serious Trouble Before Fukushima and Now Is Stalled http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x301262

etc etc.

[bananas]

2. k&r - Innovations will continue to make wind even cheaper. nt

[Nihil]

3. Sounds great but my only concern is for the birds (& bats) ...

I love the idea of making wind turbines more efficient but still
have reservations about not only the "suction" effect that you
noted but also the static hazard that is provided by the rim:
This will cause the fliers to avoid on one side or the other
but the choice of sides (or above/below) will be fatal 50% of
the time.

:-(

If used with a sensible deployment strategy then it will be a
brilliant improvement.