Reply #6: at this point is our Planet's SURVIVAL NOT Cost Effective?

[comtec]

You have to look at the bigger picture sometimes.
When looking at solar and other renewable energy sources, while more expensive, they are better for the planet (ok OUR SURVIVAL, EARTH will be fine) and that has to be taken into consideration.

AND.. it can be done with lower-cost parts if someone wanted to.
Concrete, or stone, is really cheap, pipes are also cheap, turbines are just electric motors that turn backwards.
How hard would it be to make a low-cost solution?
it would not generate at much energy, probably, but it would be a H E L L of a lot cheaper.
Reflective surfaces, are also possible at low cost. They don't have to be high-end polished steel/glass, but could be something as easily available as aluminum from soda cans, re-tooled and stitched/welded together to form a mirror.

You're not going to get 300 megawatts, but think about the power needs of a small village in Africa, or south America where the SUN is in abundance, but maybe not money for a proper solar energy generation station.

The most expensive part of the tower in this instance is the generator.

UN-polished metal can always be used for a windmill connected to a generator to create energy day AND night. The parts don't HAVE to cost a fortune. You can use a alternator from a auto for a small generator in your back yard, for example.

I like this tower, it's beautiful, and viable. it reduces carbon, and produces energy, at least during the day.
We all need to learn to live with less energy, the golden age of luxury is rapidly coming to a end.

better to adjust now, while we are still comfortable than in mad max's future...
Use the resources we have to go to the enxt level, while we still can, or there will be NOTHING left