Diesel generators and massive arrays of toxic lead acid batteries, which have a lifespan of at most 5 years, are not "green energy" and I'm a bit tired of all these articles in the press by persons claiming to be "alternative energy editors" and such who are promoting them as if they are because it's very clear they are not really advocating for truly sustainable energy. Even adding in the solar panels, they have a lifespan of 25 years due to eventual UV breakdown of the components, and the vast energy required to refine and purify the silicon wafers and extract the rare earth elements used in the construction eliminates the advantage of the technology as either sustainable or green.
The wind turbines are good, but have widely variable output, are only sensible in a small number of areas with a lot of wind, and again, require batteries for 24/7 secure energy such as at this jail facility, again eliminating the advantages that would enable it to be reasonably classified as green or sustainable.
With this particular jail, there is less than average wind and more than average overcast days in Dublin California where the jail is located, making these poorly matched alternative energy choices for this area, and which only ensure these systems are even less effective, and making clear that during power outages the diesel generator and batteries are going to be the real source of power.
The mention of air conditioning being powered by solar cells is particularly evidence of the bizarre reasoning of the article, which I leave to the reader to ponder why this is so. One may wish to start by asking how many residential installations are able to power air conditioners directly from photovoltaic cell arrays.
This is a boondoggle to be sure, but does not mean energy reduction shouldn't be pursued. For some prisons in desert areas such as Arizona, much energy could be saved by switching from air conditioners (if they use them; not all prisons do) to passive evaporation towers such as have been used in the middle east and africa for hundreds of years. Dublin California is not a candidate for this technology with average daily humidity of 76.24%, close to the national average of 77.52%, but many prisons, schools, offices and houses are.
The wind turbines are good, but have widely variable output, are only sensible in a small number of areas with a lot of wind, and again, require batteries for 24/7 secure energy such as at this jail facility, again eliminating the advantages that would enable it to be reasonably classified as green or sustainable.
With this particular jail, there is less than average wind and more than average overcast days in Dublin California where the jail is located, making these poorly matched alternative energy choices for this area, and which only ensure these systems are even less effective, and making clear that during power outages the diesel generator and batteries are going to be the real source of power.
The mention of air conditioning being powered by solar cells is particularly evidence of the bizarre reasoning of the article, which I leave to the reader to ponder why this is so. One may wish to start by asking how many residential installations are able to power air conditioners directly from photovoltaic cell arrays.
This is a boondoggle to be sure, but does not mean energy reduction shouldn't be pursued. For some prisons in desert areas such as Arizona, much energy could be saved by switching from air conditioners (if they use them; not all prisons do) to passive evaporation towers such as have been used in the middle east and africa for hundreds of years. Dublin California is not a candidate for this technology with average daily humidity of 76.24%, close to the national average of 77.52%, but many prisons, schools, offices and houses are.