"all of the above"

[NashvilleLefty]

This idea seems so simple I have trouble believing no one else has thought of it. Maybe I should submit a for a patent.

Firstly, consider the cost of building a drilling platform in the ocean. Now, consider those costs without the oil supply running out and without the environmental implications. Let’s talk about a continuous multi-platform energy platform. Hear me out.

We build a platform in the ocean with collapsible solar panels that can be contracted when storms approach. But, in between the panels we add wind towers to take advantage of the constant ocean winds even on cloudy days.

But, beneath the platform in the ocean itself we add turbines that take advantage of the natural wave energy of the oceans.

Below that, since this is a deep ocean platform just like so many of the drilling platforms we have today, we add thermal differential turbines, that take advantage of the temperature change between the upper ocean and the lower ocean.

All of the above are demonstrated sources of renewable energy. We are not talking “Science Fiction”, this could be done today with existing technology.

Most of the energy generated would have to be transmitted across cables to the mainland. However, this would be a one-time cost as opposed to the recurring costs of having ships collecting and transporting the oil as is done today.

However, if enough platforms are built so that there is a surplus of energy feeding across the cables, the excess energy could be used to turn ordinary seawater into hydrogen. After all, if the platform is in the middle of the ocean with access to virtually unlimited amounts of direct electricity and virtually unlimited amounts of water, why shouldn’t the water be transformed into a transportable form and why would we not want to take advantage of it?

Yes, we will still need tankers to transport the hydrogen just like we need tankers to transport the oil generated by the drill platforms today. Yes, the hydrogen tankers may take some modifications. However, if a hydrogen tank is compromised the hydrogen floats up. If an oil tanker sinks, the oil leaks out an contaminates wide swaths of the ocean, not to mention the PR problem.

Consider the difference in Insurance costs. If you don’t want to consider the human costs, I’ll talk about it in terms you can understand.

ROI. You can choose to lose customers forever, or you can choose to make temporary Investments that will Return a savings, or even a profit over the long term!

I am a Middle-class peon. But I am just Libertarian enough to keep wondering why the Upper-class keeps shooting itself in the foot. If Mittens and the rest of the Upper-class want to improve their position, then they MUST support the “lower classes”. Because they are the consumers who buy their products and allow them to exist in the first place.

Bottom-line; the more people who can AFFORD to buy your product - well, need I say more? If you have an upscale program, some people will buy it - but not enough to make it profitable. You need the Middle Class.