Alternative Energy for Esteli?

Submitted by fyl on 7 April, 2006 - 11:55.

While I am bitching about bad ideas, here is another one. On the radio a couple of weeks ago, a dweeb from some "energy company" was talking about how Esteli would be great for wind turbines.

Ok, two bad ideas here. Wrong place and wrong choice for Nicaragua. Either can be worked around but, together, this just reeks vested interest.

First, if you are serious about wind power you have two considerations: typical wind speed and when that wind is available. Just to lead you along a bit, if "average wind speed is 20MPH" means zero wind most of the time and hurricanes the rest, you don't have a good source location.

Does Esteli have constant wind? No. Average wind speed may be high but there are times of the day, days and even months with virtually no wind. Not a perfect location.

But, beyond that, there is an area in Nicaragua which has decent average wind speed and pretty constant wind. That is on the west side of Lake Nicaragua. Not sure why the people weren't pushing that area unless someone else already has the contract.

Moving right along, why wind here? Sure, Nicaragua needs a renewable source of energy. Well, it only takes a little looking around in the western part of the country to discover sources of significant heat. Look for round pointy things with steam escaping from the top. Volcanos.

On Earth Day about 20 years ago I went to a presentation on the Geothermal Potential in Nicaragua at the University of Washington. The then government had done a lot of research and, as I remember, was looking for some investment. Why hasn't that happened?

Isn't geothermal a better place to start for adding serious quantities of "free" energy to Nicaragua's energy inventory?

fyl's blog

Maybe

Submitted by Nicabuff on 23 April, 2006 - 22:19.

Map

Well, here is a map of northern Central America with the best "wind power" potential. The western part of the department of Esteli from El Tisey going north does offer potential. Of course, as it was mentioned, the true potential lies in Rivas.

Esteli to generate wind power

Submitted by Nicabuff on 20 May, 2007 - 21:46.

Avanza proyecto de energía eólica

And Leon

Submitted by fyl on 21 May, 2007 - 06:23.

Just to fill in a bit, the UE is distributing 23 million Euros to alcaldias in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Perú, Bolivia y Ecuador for this project. Recipients in Nicaragua are León and Estelí.

Alternative Energy- Fat Camp Nicaragua

Submitted by tropi on 8 April, 2006 - 10:04.

How about we get all the MCD's, Dunkin' Donut, Baskin Robins eating, sitting on a couch FAT children from the US to come down and we can set up some Bicycles for them to peddle and make us some energy.

Ok maybe thats a bit mean. Sorry

B&R

Submitted by Santana on 8 April, 2006 - 13:29.

Baskin and Robins is an absolute MUST.

Everyone knows ice cream provides the much needed calcium that children and adults both need to thrive on.

Strong bones and teeth....lol

B&R's must stay but the rest go ;)

i like the idea of wind power,

Submitted by Che Guevara on 8 April, 2006 - 08:59.

i am hoping, like any new technology, that it will get better and cheaper. it is working pretty well for elnido. and yes, he is in that better area for wind, not to far from our lot.

i have also heard that solar will get better with nanotechnology.

now if i can get anyone to comment on my cool slab idea, taking ocean water running it through a coil in the slab and letting it go back again. and of course i like passive air cooling and cisterns. anything i am missing?