ENERGY FLASH

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"WIND FARMS" ARE SPRINGING UP ALL OVER CALIFORNIA -and more are planned in states from Montana to New Hampshire-as the economics of wind-generated power become more and more attractive to investors. Over 150 50-kilowatt-class turbines have been producing power for three firms (which, in turn, sell the current to Pacific Gas and Electric) in California's Altamont Pass since early last year. Other such "farms" are operating in the Golden State's Tehachapi Mountains, and — if all goes according to the plans of Southern California Edison and several involved alternative-energy companies — by 1990 more than 2,000 wind generators will be erected in the San Gorgonio Pass near Palm Springs, to churn out 1,000 megawatts of current. (That's more than Hoover Dam's output!)

MAYBE FAIRY GOBLETS WILL SOLVE OUR ENERGY PROBLEMS. According to the USDA's Agriculture Research Service, fairy goblets—a variety of bird's—nest fungus found primarily on dead and rotting wood—display an extraordinary ability to "eat" lignin, the gluelike substance that holds plant cells together. Fairy goblets, say the scientists, could be used to free the fermentable sugars from leaves, stalks, and stems ... then yet another biological helpmate, yeast, would convert the liberated sugars to fuel-grade alcohol.

THREE DIFFERENT "BREAKTHROUGH" TECHNIQUES for putting sunlight to work to extract hydrogen from water—for use as a fuel and for fertilizer and plastics production—were announced within the span of a month recently. But the proliferation of reported advances may be as much a reflection of intense competition among researchers as an indication of significant steps forward. Hydrogen produced by solar water splitters isn't costcompetitive with fossil fuels just yet ... but, says one scientist, "the gap is narrowing".

ARE KEROSENE HEATERS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH? Although they're not considered to be conclusive, several studies do indicate that kerosene room heaters—both convective and radiant types—produce levels of harmful pollutants that exceed outdoor air quality standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Because of the reports and resulting citizen pressure, the Consumer Product Safety Commission—which has twice rejected petitions asking that the heaters be banned—is now conducting extensive tests of its own ... and the results of the investigation are scheduled to be released this summer.

THE CARCINOGENIC FORM OF BENZO[A]PYRENE, A COMMON POLLUTANT produced by woodstoves, autos, and industry smokestacks, may—say some researchers—be "neutralized" by ellagic acid, a substance found in a variety of plants and plant products, including grapes, coffee, and nuts. Although this phenomenon has thus far been confirmed only in laboratory tests, the studies are so promising that some observers predict the day will come when "anti-cancer crops"—plants high in ellagic acid—will be cultivated on a large scale. (Meanwhile, pass the grape juice, please .... )

IN 1984, THE SPACE SHUTTLE WILL CARRY A TEN-STORY-TALL SOLAR ARRAY WING that—remarkably—will be only four inches thick when folded in the craft's cargo bay ... but, when extended, will measure 105 feet long and 15-1/2 feet wide. The structure-which consists of printed-circuit solar cells "welded" to a super-lightweight plastic film—will produce 12.5 kilowatts and is considered a first step toward the still ecologically questionable large-scale generation of electricity from sunlight in outer space.

THE FIRST DECLINE IN SUMMER ELECTRICAL USE SINCE WORLD WAR II occurred last year, reports the Edison Electric Institute. The organization says that peak electrical demand during 1982's warm season fell 2.7% below the previous summer's ... a development that—in the face of the North American Electric Reliability Council's earlier prediction of a 2.3% increase for the same period—left the nation's utilities with the biggest surplus generating capacity since the Depression. Meanwhile, the industry continues to build new plants (and to pass the costs on to consumers) ... all the while justifying the construction by saying that it's necessary to meet projected demand.

IF YOU COMMUTE 30 MILES OR MORE ROUND TRIP TO WORK, you may be able to eliminate your costs for that travel—and turn a tidy profit besides—by running a van pool, says the Alliance to Save Energy. The idea isn't for everyone (some states prohibit such businesses, for example), but the organization claims that people who do qualify can expect to net a 24% after-tax profit from the enterprise. To find out more, write and request the Alliance's free brochure on van pooling ... then, if that information encourages you, you may want to order (for $2.50 postpaid) the workbook Vanpooling for Profit: A Business Opportunity , which details applicable state regulations and provides instructions for estimating the profitability of such an undertaking. The address: Alliance to Save Energy, Dept. TMEN, 1925 K Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.

With over four acres of glass, the planned 500,000-square-foot St. Enoch Square Mall in Glasgow, Scotland will be ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST PASSIVE SOLAR GLASS-ENCLOSED STRUCTURES .... City officials in Duarte, California are powering a 2, 100-kilowatt, piston-driven generator with GAS FROM A LOCAL LANDFILL'S DECOMPOSING GARBAGE .... Scientists say MOREECONOMICAL SOLAR COLLECTOR SURFACES MAY BE DEVELOPED USING 2,000-YEAR-OLD TECHNIQUES employed by the Chinese to coat swords and art objects with a dark, protective patina.... A "SOVIET SUN CITY" POWERED WITH WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY is being built, by the U.S.S.R., in Central Asia, and will house more than 300 scientists.... The aviation industry is beginning to produce A NEW GENERATION OF FUEL-EFFICIENT AIRCRAFT, including Boeing's recently introduced 757's and 767's—which can provide fuel savings of up to 35% over the old 727—and, by the 1990's, a new prop-fan engine now being developed by Hamilton Standard is expected to cut consumption (with no loss in air speed) by an additional 20-30%.

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