2008-02-19 Oral Communications SubmittalKenneth Peterson
1529 Sixth Street, Alameda, California 94501
510 / $65-3240
February 19, 2008
Madame Mayor, Council, Staff and fellow citizens:
I believe that there is in the world the information, understanding
and resources such that we might have wonderful success in dealing
with some of the great, vital and urgent issues which face the world
today.
The public is gaining the understanding of the need to take care of
business and the will to do so.
Unfortunately there are many barriers to a prompt, effective and
competent response. The main problem is probably a lack of correct
information. On nearly every side I see a lack of information about
very basic matters. Much of what is known is incorrect. This seems to
be the case even among very interested and sophisticated people,
responsible professionals in the fields and recognized authorities.
We are in a mad muddle.
There may be a way to overcome it.
Google recently announced a large investment in solar energy with a
goal of developing technology which could provide electricity at a
cost competitive with even the cheapest dirty methods. Google
estimates that cost to be between one and two cents per kilowatt hour.
That is a great idea. I think I could design such a machine which
could be built now. Perhaps mass production of components would be
needed in order to meet the target costs. It could be used in urban
and suburban sites, as well as in rural areas, much as the currently
popular photovoltaic systems. There are at least a few citizens in
this city capable of converting for improving on7 my designs and
Submitted by Ken Peterson at the
02.9.08 Council Meeting under
Oral Communications
producing a working reality. These designs could be done in Alameda
with current technology and materials.
However, even if it were done and successfully demonstrated, it
wouldn't be enough to move the development of affordable clean energy
along as required. No matter how successful, it would not get the
needed attention and interest.
On the other hand, imagine a display of one hundred or more of such
devices of different designs from around the world all collected,
functioning and on display at Alameda Point.
What if several different machines met the target costs? What if
others came close and showed the way for improvement and success?
I expect that some would be designs which could be built and installed
quickly, easily and cheaply and be able to practically provide the
power at the target costs.
What if those displays were open to anyone who would come and see them
actually work and hear them explained?
That might get attention. That might show the facts of what can be
done in a way that everyone could understand.
The physical display would go a long way to communicating the basic
facts. It could be combined with a conference dealing with other,
related and less obvious matters. Together they could make up a
World's Fair on environmentally responsible energy.
I propose the City of Alameda lead a program in a world wide challenge
and contest along those lines and for those purposes.
By the way, I am thinking principally of principles and designs which
were built, proven and functioning as long as seventy years ago.
Modified examples are built and functioning in various parts of the
world today.