I feel like I am continually shocked by the expense and difficulty of implementing these green technologies. One on hand it is so admirable that we go to such great lengths to try and fix what we have messed up in the world. And on the other hand it just seems crazy.
Commercial WTGs are GIGANTIC. And heavy. And expensive. I knew all that about them, but apparently I was unprepared for the numbers. One rotor of a typical commercial wind turbine can weigh over 40 tons!
If you are interested here's a link to an awesomely entertaining video we watched in class that tells you a little bit of the basics about the parts of the turbines. I highly recommend it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNXTm7aHvWc&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Our field trip today was to a wind farm owned and operated by Acciona Energía. I was a little disappointed because it wasn't windy enough for them to be turning and I really wanted to hear how loud they were as that seems to be one of the complaints that they face in the US. Hopefully I will get to see them again sometime when they are more active.
We also visited a Solar PV field, but that is all Electrical Engineering stuff that was kind of over my head...it also reminded me a little too much of Physics II. But it was still interesting to see. Especially because the panels were "BP Solar." We all got a little chuckle out of that.
We'll start talking about Solar PV this coming week. So far I'm of the opinion that Solar PV is better for residencial applications. Large installations take up an insane amount of space. Still excited to go to classes so that's a good sign!
San Fermín starts tomorrow and already there has been an unprecedented boom in population size of Pamplona. I'm excited!! But a little nervous as well. I'm glad our group is so tightly knit. I think it'll make the whole situation a bit more enjoyable.
I'll let you know how the opening festivities treat us :)
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