Converting Oil to Wind

Good news for a change. Oklahoma oilman T. Boone Pickens gets into the act in a major way and the Irish (and Scots) make their own move.

Maverick Oilman Pickens Puts $2B Bet on Wind Power - AP - 15 May 08

"Maverick oilman T. Boone Pickens has placed a $2 billion bet on wind power in just the first of a four-phase project to build the world's largest wind farm in Texas. Pickens said the total cost of the deal will grow considerably after the initial investment in General Electric Co. turbine technology. Pickens' Mesa Power said the Pampa Wind Project in the Texas Panhandle will eventually cover 400,000 acres and generate enough power for more than 1.3 million homes."

Boone Pickens buys 667 Wind Turbines for Texas - Marketwatch - 15 May 08

" When complete, the Pampa Wind Project will cover some 400,000 acres in the Texas Panhandle. . . 'You find an oilfield, it peaks and starts declining, and you've got to find another one to replace it,' said Pickens, who once operated one of the largest independent oil and gas production companies. 'It can drive you crazy. With wind, there's no decline curve.'"

Lift-off for Airtricity €1.6bn Wind Project - Independent (IE) - 15 May 08

"Irish-based wind energy company Airtricity, which was recently bought by Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE), is poised to begin construction of a £1.3bn (€1.6bn) wind farm off the coast of Suffolk in England. The so-called Greater Gabbard wind farm will be the world's largest offshore wind farm when completed in 2010. It received planning permission in February. SSE has agreed to buy out the 50pc interest of its joint venture partner, Flour [Fluor] International, in the 504 megawatt (MW) project for £40m in cash."

Converting Oil to Wind

Good news for a change. Oklahoma oilman T. Boone Pickens gets into the act in a major way and the Irish (and Scots) make their own move.

Maverick Oilman Pickens Puts $2B Bet on Wind Power - AP - 15 May 08

"Maverick oilman T. Boone Pickens has placed a $2 billion bet on wind power in just the first of a four-phase project to build the world's largest wind farm in Texas. Pickens said the total cost of the deal will grow considerably after the initial investment in General Electric Co. turbine technology. Pickens' Mesa Power said the Pampa Wind Project in the Texas Panhandle will eventually cover 400,000 acres and generate enough power for more than 1.3 million homes."

Boone Pickens buys 667 Wind Turbines for Texas - Marketwatch - 15 May 08

" When complete, the Pampa Wind Project will cover some 400,000 acres in the Texas Panhandle. . . 'You find an oilfield, it peaks and starts declining, and you've got to find another one to replace it,' said Pickens, who once operated one of the largest independent oil and gas production companies. 'It can drive you crazy. With wind, there's no decline curve.'"

Lift-off for Airtricity €1.6bn Wind Project - Independent (IE) - 15 May 08

"Irish-based wind energy company Airtricity, which was recently bought by Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE), is poised to begin construction of a £1.3bn (€1.6bn) wind farm off the coast of Suffolk in England. The so-called Greater Gabbard wind farm will be the world's largest offshore wind farm when completed in 2010. It received planning permission in February. SSE has agreed to buy out the 50pc interest of its joint venture partner, Flour [Fluor] International, in the 504 megawatt (MW) project for £40m in cash."

Trick of the Day

My cellphone charger finally gave up the ghost last night so I had to figure out how to keep it alive for a day or two more until I get the repair parts from Wireless Emporium that will make it hopefully better than new. Battery, antenna and charger ordered for the old Motorola. I just got the shipping confirmation. Not bad.

It's an old phone but I don't want to sign up for two more years. I may go to one of the cheapo card-based payment phones you can get at Walgreens and elsewhere since I rarely use it. Any recommendations folks may have on this would be appreciated. Also may upgrade my Skype account so I can make most of my long distance calls that way.

At any rate, I checked to see if my car charger still worked the other day and it did. The problem was with the charger and not the cell. Then I recalled that I had this nice battery-based jumper pack that also has a cigarette lighter outlet in the side of it. So I plugged in the car charger to that and Bob's your uncle! I knew there was a reason I didn't return that thing.

Other than that, today hasn't been the greatest of days in terms of process and production. Will continue to work that problem and learn from my errors.

The weather has been fabulous so that's a plus. When I was out doing errands I ran into a friend who used to run a bike shop and now is into coffeehouses. We had a nice, albeit brief chat, about the new e-Zip bike. He said if he was in the business now he'd be selling these things. Also enjoyed (through a window) watching another fellow circle and inspect the bike. I need to put a little weatherproof printed notice on the bike about the various details for those curious types.

Trick of the Day

My cellphone charger finally gave up the ghost last night so I had to figure out how to keep it alive for a day or two more until I get the repair parts from Wireless Emporium that will make it hopefully better than new. Battery, antenna and charger ordered for the old Motorola. I just got the shipping confirmation. Not bad.

It's an old phone but I don't want to sign up for two more years. I may go to one of the cheapo card-based payment phones you can get at Walgreens and elsewhere since I rarely use it. Any recommendations folks may have on this would be appreciated. Also may upgrade my Skype account so I can make most of my long distance calls that way.

At any rate, I checked to see if my car charger still worked the other day and it did. The problem was with the charger and not the cell. Then I recalled that I had this nice battery-based jumper pack that also has a cigarette lighter outlet in the side of it. So I plugged in the car charger to that and Bob's your uncle! I knew there was a reason I didn't return that thing.

Other than that, today hasn't been the greatest of days in terms of process and production. Will continue to work that problem and learn from my errors.

The weather has been fabulous so that's a plus. When I was out doing errands I ran into a friend who used to run a bike shop and now is into coffeehouses. We had a nice, albeit brief chat, about the new e-Zip bike. He said if he was in the business now he'd be selling these things. Also enjoyed (through a window) watching another fellow circle and inspect the bike. I need to put a little weatherproof printed notice on the bike about the various details for those curious types.