Ireland has a chance to save itself !

Sizzler

Heard about this on the radio this morning and have just seen a full page spread on the idea in the Irish Times.

http://www.spiritofireland.org/

Seems like a great idea and looks like they have their research done to make this become a reality. Can't say I'm a green campaigner or any such like but its the fact that it could do so much for the economy if what they say is true. Apart from the obvious issue of creating jobs in the short term it would be great for the country in the long term.

In short I think people should get behind it

PS - Cowen & Co. Do NOT fcuk this up please!

Puddleduck

I thought this was in the works for ages?

Wasnt this what the greens were sh!teing on about?

The reality is, that we would have to invest in it to see any profit from it. That could take years

Sizzler

Puddleduck wrote: »

I thought this was in the works for ages?

Wasnt this what the greens were sh!teing on about?

The reality is, that we would have to invest in it to see any profit from it. That could take years

Cant say I had heard about it before today, probably due to the fact that if the greens were talking about it, that probably put me off :pac:

I dont think anybody would expect to make profit from it in the first few years, not many projects of this size would? I think its worth a chance. Lets face it what else has the country got going for it

johnny_knoxvile

I heard they are going to send in Mary Harney to speed up the wind turbines

...though at the expense of increased emissions of green house gases.

Riddle101

At this point I'm open to any plan of saving the country, but I just hope the government realises that it could help and invest in it. You know what the government is like and they'll proberly ignore it, but yeah I'd like to see it happen.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

The moment people read "Green"; they think "Too much efforT, **** that, I'll be dead by the time climate change ever hits anyway".

Tech3

From having an electronics background, I believe renewable energy is the way forward.

It a well laid out website but some serious questions need to be asked:

- Is there enough research for a potential investment

- Wind turbines are great when wind is there but has any energy resevoir been properly functioning. I know that germany are creating one of these at the moment in order to supply energy when wind is not available.

- We dont have the educated workforce in the sector at this moment in time. As far as Im aware only one institute of technology in Ireland has created a renewable energy course.

Sea Sharp

A good idea. Speed up the production and send all the unemployed construction workers to the Wescht.

I can't see a profit being made from exporting because if we can do it so can a lot of European countries.

The problem with hydro power is that it'll take a good few years to make back the electricity costs spent in creating the turbines/resevoirs in the first place.

TheZohanS

Why not build a Monorail?

Puddleduck

TheZohan wrote: »

Why not build a Monorail?

Coz this isnt the simpsons. We have no balding, obese idiot to save us!

Smart Bug

From reading the website this seems like it's in the very early stages of development (of the idea, let alone the infrastructure). They've only started campaigning for investment today for the love of Mickey.

It also sounds very wishy-washy. Where are the turbines/energy sinks going to be located? Is this a PLC/public company? Do they qualify for grants? Have they been accredited by anyone? What are their ideas on land purchase? What are the finances involved, i.e. feasibility studies, roi analysis etc. It all just looks like an idea, not a serious business proposal.

Actually, from reading their press release I'd say it's a bunch of bullshit tbh. Energy independence for Ireland within 5 years? Wildly optimistic, and in fact, impossible. Nice idea, but just not possible.

PirateShampoo

Puddleduck wrote: »

Coz this isnt the simpsons. We have no balding, obese idiot to save us!

Wana bet, he's running the dam country.

TheZohanS

Puddleduck wrote: »

Coz this isnt the simpsons. We have no balding, obese idiot to save us!

What about Cowen?

Puddleduck

I was wondering who would get there first.

Professey Chin

Puddleduck wrote: »

Coz this isnt the simpsons. We have no balding, obese idiot to save us!

Batmans a scientist?

PirateShampoo

The moment they start to build the bloody things you will have the Greens campigning against the Greens because the things are a eye sore and ruin the country side.

It will be like The Judean People Front vs The People Front of Judea

Tech3

Smart Bug wrote: »

Energy independence for Ireland within 5 years? Wildly optimistic, and in fact, impossible. Nice idea, but just not possible.

People cant afford to buy food let alone change their gas/oil cookers!!! Everyone isint going to buy an electric car either. You have to wait a few hours for it to charge up. And people complain about having to wait at a petrol station!

Puddleduck

Ultimate Chin wrote: »

Batmans a scientist?

Batmans blad and fat?

Jesus hes let himself go!

I find it quite funny that the Greens have been speaking about making renewable energy accesable to everyone. Have you seen the prices of some green energy supplies???

MOH

Smart Bug wrote: »

It also sounds very wishy-washy. Where are the turbines/energy sinks going to be located? Is this a PLC/public company? Do they qualify for grants? Have they been accredited by anyone? What are their ideas on land purchase? What are the finances involved, i.e. feasibility studies, roi analysis etc. It all just looks like an idea, not a serious business proposal.

Actually, from reading their press release I'd say it's a bunch of bullshit tbh. Energy independence for Ireland within 5 years? Wildly optimistic, and in fact, impossible. Nice idea, but just not possible.

There's not really any solid information on the website.

"Our team - Read about our team of volunteers who have dedicated large amounts of personal time into this initiative."
- OK, I'll read about your team
"We have a team"
- Right, well, that was informative.

And what's with the multi-coloured map of Europe on the "The Solution" page? Very pretty, any chance of a legend explaining what it means?

I actually thought the whole thing was a joke, was trying to find the anagram in Dr Igor Shvets, but he seems to be real, even if the rest of the team have no identities. It's all very ... woollly.


I have an idea for saving the world from rising ocean levels, using a giant straw from the Pacific into space, through which the vacuum will suck the water out. I also have a coloured diagram. Please give me squillions of moolah to develop my idea.


[edit]
Just found this link from December about the same thing (the power generation, not my patented giant straw)

IRELAND COULD become energy independent in less than a decade using nothing more than wind and hydro power

So it's down to 5 years now?

Sam Vimes

tech2 wrote: »

Everyone isint going to buy an electric car either. You have to wait a few hours for it to charge up. And people complain about having to wait at a petrol station!

There would be ways around that problem that could be implemented if electric cars became common enough, like instead of having a petrol station you drive onto a car lift mechanism that swaps out your battery in a few seconds.

Fighting Irish

cliffs?

Lord Derpington

we should just build a nuke plant and quit fucking around imo...

Sizzler

In fairness this project is nothing compared to this.....(still waiting for them to start it though LOL)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaSLNBOphpE

Mr. Incognito

What's the plan exactly?

I see no details

Overheal

Fighting Irish wrote: »

cliffs?

In the water ahead of the cliffs maybe. But the cliffs are essentially a big flat object slowing wind way down.

el_tiddlero

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

What's the plan exactly?

I see no details

the plan was to elminate all details, and use the energy saved to open up newer and bigger shoe shops.

Captain-America

TheZohan wrote: »

Why not build a Monorail?

The ring came off my pudding can.

acos

The Spirit of Ireland team appreciate all comments and feedback.
We encourage you to register your thoughts and interest through the contact page on the website, even indicating if you would like to be involved in this group. There are over 50 professionals, from electrical engineers, energy specialists, consultants, entrepeneurs, academics from various disciplines, architects and enviromentalists in the team and there is an enormous amount of technical detail and support for this proposal, much more than we could post in a launch. We have widespread support from key interest groups already, in fact, we have had no opposition to date. The proposal has been through extensive technical and economic analysis by several large external consultancies and agencies and has huge credibility.

I understand the frustrations about lack of detail, but these are not technical, financial or economic details without the support and endorsement of a great number of well authorised experts in the area. we believe this project is achieveable, within budget, within the timescales and with all the benefits suggested and we are looking for people to help, to question and to support the project.

Kind Regards

Overheal

acos wrote: »

I understand the frustrations about lack of detail, but these are not technical, financial or economic details without the support and endorsement of a great number of well authorised experts in the area. we believe this project is achieveable, within budget, within the timescales and with all the benefits suggested and we are looking for people to help, to question and to support the project.

Kind Regards

That about answers all the questions I submitted. Except for how that girl got a hold of a Dandelion - I never saw Dandelions when I was there. Or maybe I wasn't looking. I did spend an awful amount of time indoors.... :rolleyes:

When I think of Rock/Earthen dams though I think of Teton...

cherryghost

Captain-America wrote: »

The ring came off my pudding can.

Take my pen knife, my good man

galwayrush

Excellent idea, but the Government won't let it happen in the short term, unless they can find a way to tax the air.:rolleyes:

slippy wicket

Sounds like a great idea, please for gods sake keep the clowns in the government away from this or they will fcuk it up like everything else.

mal1

It's not the government who are going to f*ck anything up, the communities involved will never let a project like this go ahead. And if they ever do get to build it, it will take at least 20 years.

It's near impossible to build any infrastructure in any developed country at the moment. It's the 'not on my back door' mentality that going to be the stumbling block on this project or any green project in the future.

Sea Sharp

ah sure there's plenty of abandoned land in the wescht. And didn't you see the promotional concept damn on the web-site. It looks all green meaning that they've taken eye polution into consideration.
(At least they have for their promotion strategy)

The website reminds me of that 'steorn' company a few years back with their magical perpetual motion machine that was gonna save teh world.

dny123456

Puddleduck wrote: »

Coz this isnt the simpsons. We have no balding, obese idiot to save us!

Is Noonan still around?

slippy wicket

mal1 wrote: »

It's not the government who are going to f*ck anything up, the communities involved will never let a project like this go ahead. And if they ever do get to build it, it will take at least 20 years.

It's near impossible to build any infrastructure in any developed country at the moment. It's the 'not on my back door' mentality that going to be the stumbling block on this project or any green project in the future.

Good point. Serial objectors and groups like An Taisce are a lot of the problem. It should be against the law for people who live outside an area to object to major infrastructure projects.
The current system appears to be a cranks charter.
Projects such as this should be able to be fast tracked with a minimum amount of hardship.

Futurism

TheZohan wrote: »

Why not build a Monorail?

That's more of Shelbyville idea.

preilly79

tech2 wrote: »

From having an electronics background ...
- Wind turbines are great when wind is there but has any energy resevoir been properly functioning. I know that germany are creating one of these at the moment in order to supply energy when wind is not available.

an electronics background and you dont know about this? Turlough Hill
tut tut

Sizzler

acos wrote: »

The Spirit of Ireland team appreciate all comments and feedback.
We encourage you to register your thoughts and interest through the contact page on the website, even indicating if you would like to be involved in this group. There are over 50 professionals, from electrical engineers, energy specialists, consultants, entrepeneurs, academics from various disciplines, architects and enviromentalists in the team and there is an enormous amount of technical detail and support for this proposal, much more than we could post in a launch. We have widespread support from key interest groups already, in fact, we have had no opposition to date. The proposal has been through extensive technical and economic analysis by several large external consultancies and agencies and has huge credibility.

I understand the frustrations about lack of detail, but these are not technical, financial or economic details without the support and endorsement of a great number of well authorised experts in the area. we believe this project is achieveable, within budget, within the timescales and with all the benefits suggested and we are looking for people to help, to question and to support the project.

Kind Regards

Fair play for coming on here and endorsing the project. It would be very easy to knock it and you have probably seen already from some of the posts on the thread that a lot of people are very sceptical / sarcastic or simply in doubt that such an idea could happen here due to the current general doom n gloom.

I heard one of the key guys behind the project on 'The Right Hook' on newstalk earlier today and he had answers for all the questions that have been raised thus far, the most reassuring thing for me was the fact that its perfectally achievable from a technical perspective The biggest concern for me would be the financing and of course would local communities or An Bord Planeala dig their heels in and slow this up.

Some consctructive crtiicism, the website is a little on the scant side in terms of details and could do with beefing up to help answer some of these concerns, perhaps a Q & A section might help

Good luck though, I hope it comes to something.

Nostradamus

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

The moment people read "Green"; they think "Too much efforT, **** that, I'll be dead by the time climate change ever hits anyway".

Not really. What I think about is gob****es who absolutely knows feck all about the real science behind climatology lectruring you in a condesending voice about something they haven't the fantest clue about thinking they have to support it because if makes them seem aware, concerned and progressive in the eyes of other ****.

"Oi Facthna, 2 more poynts of Heinie, oh by the way kloymet change is loike really ****e you knou. Om jetting off to Mali to save a rare species of beetle which is being wiped out by all these skanger who lack my sense of awareness and moral superiority"

Anyways didn't it used to be called Global Warming until the warming they predicted never actually happened?:rolleyes:

Overheal

Nostradamus wrote: »

Anyways didn't it used to be called Global Warming until the warming they predicted never actually happened?:rolleyes:

If you were to look at it in terms of a car it was like OH SH!T LOOK HOW FAST THAT CAR IS SPEEDING UP if it keeps going like that its going to reach 120MPH in 6 secon- oh wait, he took his foot off the gas, he was only getting up to 45. Huh.

ScumLord

I don't have much faith in wind turbines. Methane from bio-waste seems like the best solution to me. I still don't understand why it doesn't get more support.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Nostradamus wrote: »

Not really. What I think about is gob****es who absolutely knows feck all about the real science behind climatology lectruring you in a condesending voice about something they haven't the fantest clue about thinking they have to support it because if makes them seem aware, concerned and progressive in the eyes of other ****.

"Oi Facthna, 2 more poynts of Heinie, oh by the way kloymet change is loike really ****e you knou. Om jetting off to Mali to save a rare species of beetle which is being wiped out by all these skanger who lack my sense of awareness and moral superiority"

Anyways didn't it used to be called Global Warming until the warming they predicted never actually happened?:rolleyes:

When you say "gosb****es who know feck all about reak scuence and climatlogy" are you talking about the continuous scientific reports showing that the planet is heating up or what...?

The D4 Factna you portray is exactly the kind of guy I'm talking about the quote should read "I'm jetting off to Mali to stay in a five star hotel that costs a bomb but who care's because Daddy's paying for it with the promotion he got from Exxon"

Blue_Arsed_Fly

"Ireland has no fossil fuel energy of signficance & our limited gas reserves will not last long."

€400 billion euros worth of such handed over to Shell for a mere percentage of profits.

Doh!

ronbyrne2005

ScumLord wrote: »

I don't have much faith in wind turbines. Methane from bio-waste seems like the best solution to me. I still don't understand why it doesn't get more support.

Especially since we have such a huge amount of cows etc :pac:
On the spirit of ireland.
Whats the cost per kw hour estimated to be?
How long is the payback and what will be roce over 10,20 and 30 years?

acos

we have started a forum, with various topics split out at
http://www.spiritofireland.org/forum/index.php

We will be continuing to update our technical data and our interactions with all political and non political stakeholders.
We will keep reviewing these forums and answering questions when we can but we cant keep posting on all of them. We started today to answer technical questions as they are posted, which also allows one central info point

thanks

Alan

O'Coonassa

Sizzler wrote: »

In fairness this project is nothing compared to this.....(still waiting for them to start it though LOL)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaSLNBOphpE

Yay we're going to have the worlds only giraffe only zoo

Are we a bit thick or what in Gods name is wrong with us?

RandolphEsq

Nuclear. Nuclear. Nuclear.

Sizzler

acos wrote: »

we have started a forum, with various topics split out at
http://www.spiritofireland.org/forum/index.php

We will be continuing to update our technical data and our interactions with all political and non political stakeholders.
We will keep reviewing these forums and answering questions when we can but we cant keep posting on all of them. We started today to answer technical questions as they are posted, which also allows one central info point

thanks

Alan

Fair play. Will be keeping an eye on this over the next few weeks.

ScumLord

BrightEyes wrote: »

Nuclear. Nuclear. Nuclear.

Poo, poo, poo. Poo is the future of power production.

Grudaire

BrightEyes wrote: »

Nuclear. Nuclear. Nuclear.

Not for Ireland - the country isn't suited to Nuclear, (and I'll make this argument avoiding the whole 'safety' issue hopefully - Nuclear is safe). Basically for the size of the country we would only need something like 7 reactors total - but nuclear power is actually quite unstable, and the plants can be shut down like *snaps fingers*. At one stage half the reactors in England were off for repairs (some scheduled). Basically for us to use Nuclear power we'd still need to have all the current power facilities operational to cater for any stoppages.

I don't see any reason that this isn't a great idea