Renewable Energy Technology proposed as driver for Texas USA economic engine

article from: http://chimera-gaia.blogspot.com

Don't let a recession waste valuable labor

by Chimera

Recession can also create opportunities for positive change.

Much of the technology used by aerospace industries can translate well to the production of equipment for generating renewable energy. Machines used to produce thrust can, with modifications, turn around and receive thrust [from wind or tides] to generate power. Lockheed Martin Corporation will reduce its Fort Worth, Texas workforce by 650 jobs this year. The Austin American-Statesman and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that most of the job losses will involve engineers working on a new fighter jet. Wouldn’t it make sense to put those smart people to work making our economy more resilient? Until our capitalist economic system properly values labor, we will continue wasting time, money, energy, and lives. Our national security hangs in the balance.

If Congress wants to stimulate the economy, create jobs, reduce carbon emissions, reduce fossil fuel consumption, and reduce the trade deficit, they might consider finding ways to reassign those engineers and a few thousand assembly line workers to the tasks of building wind turbines, tidal turbines, solar power plants, and power storage systems.

Wind turbines, popping up in Texas faster than practically anywhere else, as far as I know, mostly come from factories in Europe, Japan, and China. A backlog of orders for wind turbines slows the renewable energy transformation that the Legislature says it wants. I have seen Danish wind turbines (Vestas Wind Systems) on double-long flatbed trailers behind trucks traveling west from Houston on Interstate 10. Spain produces a fair number as well (Gamesa). General Electric produces wind turbines, but not enough for the demand and apparently not in Texas.

Austin Energy and friends tried some years ago to attract a wind turbine factory to Texas. The proposal failed because Austin, as a municipal government, could not guarantee in advance that it would buy the output. Restrictions on bidding and not knowing the eventual cost of the product killed the deal.

Texas does not lack the engineering or manufacturing expertise to build renewable power systems – like wind and tidal turbines. Texas companies build all manner of technologically sophisticated equipment. Bell Helicopter, a Textron Company, and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation produce helicopters. Thrustmaster of Texas manufactures commercial marine propulsion equipment. Lightning Aircraft designs, develops and manufactures engines and parts for the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) industry. Sino Swearingen Aircraft Corporation manufactures jets. American Legend Aircraft and Mooney build airplanes. Superior Air Parts, a subsidiary of Thielert AG, manufactures aircraft engine replacement parts. Vought Aircraft Industries designs and manufactures major airframe structures. Fairchild Dornier engineers and manufactures jet aircraft. Fiberspar Corporation's spoolable fiber-reinforced pipe business designs and manufactures high-performance fiber-reinforced composite tubing used for windsurfing masts as well as oil and gas production equipment. Fletch Air, Inc. manufactures and distributes parts for several aircraft manufacturers. Our existing aerospace industries provide us a formidable base for future industries.

The knowledge, skills, and abilities exist in Texas to build renewable power systems. We can reduce our consumption of fossil fuels and our carbon emissions. Who will pull together these mind-boggling resources and make it happen? Ask around.


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