Ireland has a chance to save itself !

Sizzler · 07-05-2009 02:01PM #1

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 · 07-05-2009 02:04PM

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 · 07-05-2009 02:13PM

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 · 07-05-2009 02:17PM

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 · 07-05-2009 02:17PM

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 · 07-05-2009 02:18PM

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

Tech3 · 07-05-2009 02:21PM

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 · 07-05-2009 02:31PM

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 · 07-05-2009 02:31PM

Why not build a Monorail?

Puddleduck · 07-05-2009 02:37PM

TheZohan wrote: »

Why not build a Monorail?

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

Smart Bug · 07-05-2009 02:39PM

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 · 07-05-2009 02:39PM

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 · 07-05-2009 02:40PM

Puddleduck wrote: »

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

What about Cowen?

Puddleduck · 07-05-2009 02:41PM

I was wondering who would get there first.

Professey Chin · 07-05-2009 02:45PM

Puddleduck wrote: »

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

Batmans a scientist?

PirateShampoo · 07-05-2009 02:45PM

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 · 07-05-2009 02:46PM

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 · 07-05-2009 02:50PM

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 · 07-05-2009 03:23PM

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 · 07-05-2009 03:27PM

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 · 07-05-2009 03:28PM

cliffs?

Lord Derpington · 07-05-2009 03:36PM

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

Sizzler · 07-05-2009 03:42PM

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 · 07-05-2009 03:42PM

What's the plan exactly?

I see no details

Overheal · 07-05-2009 03:53PM

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 · 07-05-2009 03:56PM

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 · 07-05-2009 05:25PM

TheZohan wrote: »

Why not build a Monorail?

The ring came off my pudding can.

acos · 07-05-2009 06:17PM

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 · 07-05-2009 07:40PM

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 · 07-05-2009 08:38PM

Captain-America wrote: »

The ring came off my pudding can.

Take my pen knife, my good man

galwayrush · 07-05-2009 08:41PM

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:

Ireland has a chance to save itself !

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