Since the saturation point of oil has maxed out and the general acceptance the environmental experts agreeing that about the inevitable world global problems, Cape Cod residents are conversing about the various alternatives, but unfortunately there is very little action to back up the conversation - naturally, without a concrete plan and implementation, no improvement will be seen in coming up with the use of new and efficient fuels.

Anywhere you look, citizens and politicians are espousing the company line about the virtues of solar and wind as power substitutes, but no one is willing to back it up when tangible plans are put on the table : "I am totally behind the development of alternative energy sources, but our town is not ideally suited as the correct site for the implementation of one of these ideas."

There is no dispute as to the urgency of lessening the use of fossil fuel. As renowned national expert Bill McKibben has said : "Recent studies have developed tangible proof that the absolute limit for the presence of carbon in the air is 350 parts per million." according TO NASA :"Anything in excess ot that amount is not conducive to the continued survival of a normal civilization." Again from McKibben :"the present level is recorded at 390 parts per million, and therefore the result is Arctic ice thawing, glaciers shrinking, and oceans showing a great deal of deterioration and high levels of dangerous types of toxicology." The current plight is very serious and requires bold new measures.

The problem is that in lieu of serious, decisive strokes by our politicians to reverse the fuel and energy problem, what we are seeing is a lack of conviction. What is worse are phony fforts shown by individuals whose real interest is to sabotage any and all plans to produce alternative energy whenever a viable concept is put on the table.

Governor Patrick and the state political forces are certainly making a valiant attempt to do the right thing. The governor has proposed a speific wind electricity objective to be attained in less than ten years, and additional related acts which are still on the drawing board are certainly positive steps toward concrete progress, which will help in cutting the administrative red tape which always stifles progress toward serious environmental improvement.

The tricky obstacle that the governor must overcome in order to meet the lofty goals he has set is to find a way to get all the pertinent parties involved in the consultation over wind turbine locations. Everyone who will be impacted by this energy decision must be allowed to contribute their opinions. However, soliciting their thoughts does not empower these people to kill these proposals which for many reasons will be very good for the local area.

We who are longtime residents have witnessed numerous politicians invoke their moral authority as involved citizens to kill beneficial ideas before they leave the starting gate by clogging up the machinery with all types of negativism. Maybe the worst case of this nonsense was an attempt to destroy the Cape Wind project by Indian tribes who were involved in attempting to create a national landmark designation for Nantucket Sound, while simultaneously authoring a project for power placement near another area which has already received this distinction, there setting a new standard for total the contradiction of one's principles.

Additional attempts to stifle wind power installation were an initiative by Martha's Vineyard to form an agency which would ceffectively block turbine development in the immediate proximity, and the Town of Eastham's new statute which essentially restricts the length of a given turbine to 75 feet, the attempt by the Old King's Highway Historic District Commission to prevent the Cape Cod Community College's wind turbine project from becoming a reality.

Given that not everyone buys into the dire future predictions of global warming, this does not lessen the importance of alternative energy initiatives like wind, if for no other reason than the creation of jobs and the inherent stimulation of the economy. As inhabitants of such an advanced scientific nation, our people ought to be ashamed that China and Europe are generating such incredible inventions which promote clean air and for all intents and purposes cast our country in a very unfavorable light.

If the residents of Cape Cod refuse to see the light and stop living in the past, we will probably suffer the fate of other civilations,like Rome, which declined to change their ways, and perished because of it.

Jon Kaplan, owner of Pearl Road Auto Parts, has been considering this move and researching it for more than fifteen years.

On Thursday, construction of a 140-foot tower topped with a wind turbine complete, he made the oficial transition and began generating his own electricity at his salvage yard.

He said "The wind turbine's really a perfect fit here." "That's all we do here is recycle. We recycle mercury switches, freon, gasoline, and now we're going to produce electricity."

The cost of the reconditioned turbine, tower construction and final installation was nearly $450,000.

However, his monthly electric bill was running about $2,000. Between thne savings in monthly utility bills and sizeable government incentives, he believes that the wind turbine will pay for itself in only eight years, or possibly less.

He also is moving into the wind turbine business with the formation of his new company, Pearlwind.

"They make sense for any business that uses $2,000 a month in electricity," he said.

Stefanie Spear is the project manager for Kaplan's switch to wind power.

"The big advantage to the business owner is knowing what you will have to pay for electricity," she said.

Spear firmly believes that Cleveland is in an excellent position to make wind turbine manufacturing the next big industry for the area.

"Ohio is already the number two state in manufacturing renewable energy components. We should manufacture wind turbines, put 'em together and ship them around the world. We could become the leaders in this technology, right here in Cleveland," Spear said.

Many are skeptical, and as a result ordinary citizens and contractors alike are moving slowly, with reduced visibility.

However, when a whole community, supported by an ambitious government, mobilizes itself, things can move quickly and provide astonishing results. A small island in Denmark, Samsø, is an outstanding example of what can be undertaken for the good of planet. In just ten years, the few 4,000 inhabitants of this island of 114 km2 have become experts and ambassadors of ecology. It all began in 1997, when Samsø was chosen by the Danish government to become the first island dedicated to generating renewable energy.

All was not simple, far from it. It was necessary to convince the inhabitants of the usefulness of this vast project. After many meetings, intense discussions and passionate debates, nine farmers yielded grounds for the eighteen windmill installations owned by co-operatives equivalent to approximately a quarter of the homes of the island.

Once the first obstacle was crossed, things then accelerated.

The next objective was to set up a clean system of district heating. Four power stations will thus be born. One is made up of 2.5 hectares solar panels, which are compensated by a burner of wood chips when the sun is scarce. The three other power stations function with the straw provided by the farmers of Samsø, which is now accounts for 75% of hot water and heating to come from solar energy and the use of biomass. Better still, electricity is now 100% from the wind farm. Eleven offshore windmills have also been born during these last years.

In the event of lack of wind, the island can turn to the continent to get electricity, but overall, it exports much more than it imports.

Of course, there are still efforts being made, particularly in transport. For the time being, most vehicles still use the traditional fuels, but many are those which want to go further. The idea would be to equip the island with trucks and cars running with hydrogen produced by windmills. An ambitious idea but one which should receive support from the inhabitants of Samsø.

This example, which each year attracts hundreds of experts from around the world, proves that with will, big things are possible in finally very little time. Søren Hermansen, one of the carriers of this project stresses that “for many people it is necessary to act locally and think globally, whereas it is necessary to think locally and act locally. The rest will follow”.

Efficient with wind energy

The Piqo is a viable solution for self-generating energy and reducing CO2 emissions. Even when there is little wind energy generated by the Piqo, the sleek micro-wind turbine’s maintenance is quiet and designed specifically for the built environment. With the revolutionary and innovative design and integrated systems, the wind gets the highest efficiency of its kind, higher than solar energy is able to return. The turbine is deployed for many applications, not only for business but also for the private market. The small turbine can be placed on flat roofs, sloping roofs and freestanding masts. The Piqo pays for itself, without subsidies, within 7 to 8 years in full.

Richard Kleefman, director of Everkinetiq international is very proud of the launch: The Piqo is a micro-windturbine for local and distributed energy induction. With Piqo hope we have an important Dutch export product on our hands, which will occupy a prominent position in the sector of sustainable, green energy. We have already built an international dealer network that will ensure sale and placement of the turbines.

Technical information

• Rotor diameter 1,120 mm
• Maximum depth 585 mm
• Weight 75 kilogrammes
• 3-blade turbine optimised by means of CFD
• 3 kW generator with active targeting
• Turnover of 3000-3500 kWh per year (at an average wind speed of 6 m/s)
• Payback for individuals is 7 up to 8 years
• Made entirely with recyclable polyethylene

Application possibilities

• Business and company spaces
• Houses
• Transmission masts
• Schools
• Sanding and storage
• Parking garages

About Everkinetiq International

Everkinetiq International provides, develops, produces and advises concerning decentralized energy solutions. With a nationwide network of recognized installers, Everkinetiq provides services for individuals, companies and governments. The company makes products such as solar panels, solar water heaters, energy-saving lighting and micro wind turbines.

Saturday, it presented its wind farm project to be placed just off the shore of Croisic near Guérande. If passed, sixty to eighty windmills will be constructed and installed by 2014.

Nass & Wind enormously attach importance to the dialogue. She says to have spoken with ten elected officials, the representatives of a score of associations like with professional fishermen. “It is a question of good manners if the mayor did not speak yet about it with his assistants or the Municipal council. And we don’t want anyone to instrumentalise anyone”, explains Xavier Ferrey, communication official of Nass & Wind.

Saturday, GSRB (Grouping of the secondary residents of Baule) savagely opposed to this project which is still in the preliminary phase of the impact studies.

Decision of the chief officer

Rémy Gautron, president of the federation, hoped this meeting would not turn into a debate about the future installation, but a time to form an opinion about the project. “That was the fourth time the federation confronted Nass & Wind. The Cape Atlantique Council of development will soon receive Nass & Wind. The elected officials will be determined by taking account the opinion of their voters”, ensures Rémy Gautron.

Christophe Pirou, deputy of the district, has already voiced his opinion to him and the prefect, Jean Daubigny, at the time of his visit last Saturday. “It is necessary to be pragmatic, the wind is a solution. The West often has energy problems and yet finds a way.”, insists Christophe Priou.

Studies in progress

During the briefing, the questions raised related to the effects on plants and animals, the power of the park and its lifespan, the conditions of its dismantling at the conclusion or in the course of concession.

Nass & Wind began its dialogue six months ago. The studies on the environment began this summer. Their results will move the project forward. But the company already hopes to deposit a request for approval to the prefecture next year.

To follow is an interview with Marc Parent.

How does the Eole Water function?

The moisture contained in the air is collected by the windmill and is condensed, turning it into water. It is filtered then stored. Afterwards, the tap merely has to be opened to recover drinking water. Up to 90 liters of water can be collected per day.

What are the advantages of these windmills?

These windmills may make it possible to solve the problem of diminished water supplies in developing countries. I built Eole Water with the aim of distributing it in Africa. In much of country, there is not enough sufficient water and the wells built by ONG get polluted very quickly. With these windmills, the problem does not arise any more. Moreover, they do not pollute and do not consume any other energy beside the wind. It is a truly sustainable development. Many countries practised the desalination of sea water in the past but this technique is very polluting.

Are these windmills already in activity?

The United States and Australia, which undergo droughts each year, support the project but no contract is yet signed. ONG is starting to be interested in it but they do not have the means yet of getting some. The prototypes are at the same point in development since the beginning of the year and we are in the search of financial help to be able to manufacture these machines at a large scales to cause a drop in costs. These windmills cost between 10,000 and 50,000 euros according to their size. I hope that we will manage to send some soon in needy countries.

How did this idea come to you?

The idea germinated some ten years ago. I lived in the Antilles and my house was not connected to the drinking water network. I thus started by “adulterating” my air-conditioner to recover condensate. It was from this moment that I imagined a process to transform the moisture contained in the air into water. It is generally said that inventions are born from a need and Eole Water is proof of that!

Smith purchased his 1996 Toyota RAV4 on eBay for $38,000. He plugs it in each evening to an electric system powered by a 20-kilowatt wind turbine. The system generates enough power to keep his house running year round.

Unlike the hybrids that are gaining popularity in North America, not one drop of gas is necessary to drive the all-electric SUV. Toyota sold or leased only 328 vehicles like it in 2003 and has since ceased production. The EV model was discontinued one day after the corporation passed the new air-quality requirements by the California Air Resources Board.

Although some may view the top speeds of 78 miles per hour (126 km/h) as modest, Smith has no complaints about its performance. He enjoys driving it on the highway, often faster than the RCMP would like him to.

The environmental group ECO-PEI has noted Smith’s efforts to live exclusively from green energy. Research is being conducted about launching a campaign to encourage more Islanders to use wind power to recharge their automobiles. Matthew McCarville of ECO-PEI commented that the idea of more zero-emissions drivers out there is exciting.

ECO-PEI hopes to transfer some of the estimated $200 million spent each year on gas bills to build commercial-sized wind farms. To date there are already 4 wind farms on the island. With completely renewable energy powering cars it will be a truly end-to-end solution. By switching to electric vehicles, powered by wind turbines, citizens can also help beef up the local economy instead of spending money on gasoline which is imported.

Maritime Electric, the island’s main utility company said it is keeping a keen watch on the electric car industry but has no plans now to help P.E.I. drivers to go electric. Clearly they are more likely to slow the proceedings since DIY energy puts the power in the hands of the consumer. Wind power means fewer profits for them.

Smith would like the Canadian government to offer incentives to get more people to switch over to wind power. Cash rebates to citizens who build windmills or buy electric cars could help get the ball rolling but are unlikely in the foreseeable future.