The rise and fall of renewable energy

The first wind farm went up in the 70's. 40 years later the obstacles before renewable energy are largely unchanged.

The biggest problem is the cost of putting electricity into the grid. The government wants to provide financial incentive to projects. This is a good idea but only if the prevent the current "big power" monopoly from imposing requirements on renewable energy that make it difficult to operate.

Here are some of the basics I learned from my reserch and work in the Renewable Energy Field:

1) Renewable energy, unlike fossil fuel, is "flow limited". This is the reason energy conservation is crucial to a renewable energy scheme. Big power penalizes renewable energy based on the fact that some days the sun won't shine or the wind won't blow.

2) It must be local; decentralized to be successful. This is the reason it will never exist as it should: Energy for the people; Free. Due to Zoning laws which are not only for building safety but also for political/financial reasons, it can be difficult to create a renewble energy utility in a neighborhood. In some cities, you can't hang dry clothes; you must use electricity to dry your clothes.

The Renewable Energy Business is not an industry for an industry is defined as "organized economic activity". So far, Renewables operate under the exploitation of the existing Big Power Company.

The problems that stand to prevent community owned Renewable energy utilities are zoning laws, mis-information, and manipulation of the energy system. They own the grid and force Renewable Energy Utilities to pay "Wheeling Fees" to put energy into the grid. They charge a wind farm to give you energy and charge them when the wind doesn't blow. I can say this; the current system is set up not to change. Energy production is a fundamental aspect of American life and it is not going to change freely. If Obama is serious he would first grant open access to Renewable utilities to put power into the grid free of charge. The grid belongs to the people, it is approprait to call "emminant domain" as it is crucial to the health and well-being of our communities.

This is a good place of Obama to start to bring about a change: let the people have access to Renewable energy without big power fees designed to cripple the Renewable energy industry. They serve only to increase the burden on Renewable Energy Development.