Bladeblunder

Let me start by saying that I fully endorse the goal of generating as much of our electricity from renewable energy sources. It is a scandal that we have sabotaged the creation of a global carbon trading scheme, and put our energy security at risk with an insane dependence on volatile regimes. Instead, we spent a fortune on the lunacy of corn ethanol.

Nevertheless, I have to take issue with the hysteria about wind power. I have witnessed this at first hand in my organisation, with significant investments going into speculative wind farm developments. Everything hinges on fiscally unhinged government subsidies and (foolish) utility firm buying up these farms. It has all the makings of a pyramid scam...someone will be sitting with a lot of idle turbines quite soon.

I won't get into the technical side of things, but wind can never be a core source of power. It's a physical impossibility (aside from putting turbines on Capitol Hill- there's plenty of hot air there). The industry has acquired the tainted aura of a confidence trick, but reality is now catching up with investors.

I'm not saying all wind turbine farms are bad, but at best it's a small part of a much bigger change in energy policy. We certainly shouldn't be bankrolling turbine makers and development speculators with subsidies. It's a long way away, but the ultimate goal is to get ITER commercially viable. My advise is to steer clear of those blades...