Geothermal Klamath Falls

Dr. Hay

In Klamath Falls, we also got to see perhaps the only geothermally heated brewery, which uses geothermal energy for part of the fermenting process. The students tell me the root beer is excellent! Thanks to my father, Ken Hay, for this image. He and his coworker, John Bellon, are superintendents of city parks in Klamath Falls. They spoke with us about challenges in getting funding for municipal usage of geothermal energy and insulating the trees from geothermally heated sidewalks (otherwise they might bloom in the winter).

The students wish there was an exercise room on the train. Instead, they take the long stop opportunity in San Jose to catch some sun and get activity. Here, Sarah relaxes in the Parlor Car and watches the scenery near San Francisco.
The group found wi-fi and games in the Parlor Car also. Last night we were served chocolate when we got on the train; today, sparkling cider!
There was much excitement (and I mean super hyper, getting in touch with their child-sides!) as the train pulled into the Klamath Falls station. Most of the students have never traveled on the train via "sleeper car" before. As soon as we got on the train, they were out like a light (well most of them). A gentleman named Alan who is on the train with us (and a former teacher) says that he loves the "life" my students bring to the train. After conversing with some of them, he told me they are wonderful people.

Geothermal Energy

Dr. Hay Thanks to Anders, I can now access the internet from here in the Parlor Car on the Amtrak Coast Starlight. Here is Anders waiting for the train. We had a very long day and a very late night, due to a late train. We were all exhausted and ready to see our "sleeper cars." Now we are on our way to southern California.
Yesterday, Engineer Toni Boyd gave us a tour the geothermal plant at Klamath Falls, Oregon, where they use geothermal for heat mostly but also power and a novel usage: snowmelt off sidewalks and roadways! Thanks to Andy and Randy for the tour of the Heat Exchange plant and to Dale for explaining the snowmelt installation process.
Here, we walk through a tight tunnel to see the geothermal lines.
We have visited many train stations; here is the group waiting at Albany. We have conquered several set backs including lost luggage, late trains, van rentals not where they were supposed to be, and name mix ups on tickets. Thanks to quick thinking and organization, each challenge is overcome.

Myths about Ocean Wave Tech

Yvonne K Marta explains and discredits two myths about ocean wave technology.

Dr. Hay

Somewhere between Portland Union Station and Albany, a student's luggage was lost.Fortunately, the luggage was returned to us the next day. Now in Corvallis, the tour continues with a study of nuclear power and ocean wave energy.

Yesterday, a professor spoke with us about nuclear physics. Afterwards, he said that our group was one of the most

enjoyable, inquisitive groups he has ever given a tour to! I'm very proud of their hard work and positive attitudes. They ask great questions.

Today, we saw a Tsunami Research Lab and toured a wave energy facility. The above photo shows the group watching a simulated Tsunami wave traverse the deep wave tank. The crash of the wave was so loud I jumped.

Later, we saw a prototype of a new energy-harnessing buoy made to harness the up and down mechanical energy of ocean waves and convert it to electrical energy via electromagnetic induction. The photo shows students next to a buoy, this is the very small version. The bronze wrap contains a magnet and the grey rod contains a coil of wire; the rod would be attached to the sea floor and the wrap would float on the surface. With the engineer, we discussed the challenges of this technology and how it affects the environment, fishing communities and marine life.

Nuclear Myths

Yvonne K Myth #1: Is nuclear power expensive?
Yes, The start up cost to commission and build a nuclear reactor is pretty high when compared to the cost of hydropower and coal. But when you compare it to the price of oil and gas, it is quite cheap. I think that in the long run nuclear will be one of the ways to get electricity, possibly to go with electric cars instead of paying $3-5 a gallon for gas. Plus, we will not be contributing to atmospheric pollution because nuclear does not directly emit CO2 into the atmosphere.

Myth #2: Nuclear power is dangerous.
Busted. Nuclear power is just as dangerous as driving down the highway. The modern reactors are built with strict regulations and the chances of them having a "accident" is highly unlikely. Also the CO2 that comes from coal power plants exposes more people to radiation than a nuclear power plant and its waste. The radioactive waste that comes from nuclear power plants is in a solid state and watched. CO2 on the other hand is in the atmosphere, thus exposing far more people to radioactivity.

Myths Busted!

Yvonne K

So this is a tad bit late, I made this video a couple days ago while exploring wind farms with Chelsey, my PLU Mythbuster of the day. For the rest of the trip I am going to try and find the truths behind rumors and myths about renewable energy, and this is the starting video, busting the myths about wind power!

If there are any myths your would like me to find the truth behind please comment below and I will do my best to answer. (I think that is possible with blogger).

Nuclear Energy

Anders Koll Today we walked for about 45 minutes from our hotel to the Radiation Center at Oregon State. Here, we got to see their nuclear reactor and even what Uranium looks like. Our tour guide helped us understand how a nuclear reactor works and the differences between reactor designs used around the world along with the uses of a research reactor (the one at Oregon State) and a "power"-reactor.