Natural Gas Platform Runs on Clean Energy
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 04.22.06
We're not sure how to feel about that one. "Royal Dutch Shell has begun pumping natural gas from its wind- and solar-powered Cutter micro-platform, sited on a marginal-production gas field underneath the southern North Sea." So it uses renewable energy - wind and solar - but it pumps natural gas. "The use of renewable energy generation equipment not only provides green power, but reduces the cost of providing a subsea cable to power the platforms. The platform’s US$143 million fabrication cost alone is around 40% of that of traditional platforms." Can we like and dislike it at the same time? Hmm. More information and pictures at ::Green Car Congress, ::First gas from Cutter using renewable energy technology
I think that it's great.
I have to lean towards it being a good thing. We hail the use of renewable / sutainable / green materials in housing because we know that some level of development is inevitable. Likewise, some level of fuel production is inevitable. Any way to make the process cleaner, I'm all for it.
fantastic, 40% the cost is what will make the world take notice. if gas/oil companies are using alternative energy then thats like the meat eater adding a side salad to his meal.
I think it's great! Think about it... At this point in time, there is no way that the world is going to "stop" pumpin natural gas. So why not do it in a "greener" way? Also if the natural gas companies realize the potential of green energy, then in the future when there is no gas they are probably going to invest in the technology to save their company.
Well of course it's a good thing. Few people realize how much CO2 is produced just getting the fossil fuel in the first place. If you think in the entire process, that gallon of gas that moved your Prius 45 miles also required perhaps another gallon (or more) to be extracted, depending on where it came from.
We use astounding quantities of oil and gas just get the darned stuff in the first place.
rubbish