Do park's generate their own electric power?

[gameplaywarrior]

Well first of I didn't know if this went in the Amusement Park Industry Discussion or here, hope I picked the right spot. Anyway I was wondering do large parks generate there own electric power or do they get it of grid? I was just wondering this because I am soon starting my first "sandbox" park and wanted to make it look "real".
Thanks

[. Style .]

I would believe they get it from outside. But I know a park in Belgium, Bobbejaanland, has it's own wind turbine inside the park, next to their Eurofighter.

-- and I think this would go in the Amusement Park Industry Discussion.

[LightGrenades]

Most parks get it from the grid, but I'm pretty sure most large parks have their own substation.

[ytivarg]

Cedar Point runs off Ohio Edison... but they're no stranger to grids. The park is divided into several grids itself. It's fun to see which rides are on the same power line. ;)

[marcello]

http://www.standaard.be/Assets/Images_Upload/DAWERKEN.MM.jpg

[TripleAces]

Thats one heck of a thrill ride!

[. Style .]

It's not a ride, it's a wind turbine.

lol

[TripleAces]

*facedesk*

[marcello]

sorry i found no better picture
there stands:BOBBELAANLAND

[TripleAces]

I thought it was Bonjela land - Not safe for under 16's.

[--Griffon--]

It's not a ride, it's a wind turbine.

lol
Something tells me he was making a joke of it, with the people standing on scaffolding repairing it.

lol.

[LightWarriorK]

I think a wind turbine at a park is an excellent way to save elcetriity....IF the park generally experiences enough wind to make a difference. If you're not getting enough windy days per year to recoup the cost of the turbine, it's pretty pointless.

But regardless, you wouldn't be able to go off the grid. Having power can't be dependant on how windy (or sunny, if you're using solar) it is outside. That's one of the problem with natural energies; they're not dependant. You need to have a redundant system (coal, gas, nuclear, etc) to power the grid in case you have a windless and overcast couple of days.

But yes, I'm actually of the opinion that every small town should put up a single turbine if they have enough wind for it. Not only would it lessen the strain on the grid, but if there was (God forbid) a terrorist attack or accident at the power station, at least some emergency power can be generated for water pumps and hospital use and the like.

But that's probably too Conservative....having independant power sources would give local areas power seperate from the whole grid, and less dependant on the "system." And we can't have that, now can we?:rolleyes:

Sorry, that went a little OT at the end there.:)

[. Style .]

Something tells me he was making a joke of it, with the people standing on scaffolding repairing it.

lol.

Something tells me he thought it was a thrill ride, since he also thought the park was some Bonjela land or whatever.

lol lol.

[CedarPointer]

no :)

[TheFreshEffect]

But yes, I'm actually of the opinion that every small town should put up a single turbine if they have enough wind for it.

It is a good idea, but no one considers the audio pollution they give off, trust me you wouldn't want one near your house.

[gameplaywarrior]

I heard something about that on discovery channel one time people living within a certain distance of them were actually suffering adverse heath effects like intense headache, queasiness, dizziness. A simple google search will show you what I am talking about just search for "adverse effects of living near wind turbines".....it definitely raises some questions but it seems to only effect certain people.

[TPM INC]

I heard something about that on discovery channel one time people living within a certain distance of them were actually suffering adverse heath effects like intense headache, queasiness, dizziness. A simple google search will show you what I am talking about just search for "adverse effects of living near wind turbines".....it definitely raises some questions but it seems to only effect certain people.

and we'll do like every other thing had to do when something changed, EVOLVE. Once were used to it we wont be effected anymore.

[CedarPointer]

When, in modern times, has there been any "evolution" of the human race? There's no evidence of it. At all.

[ytivarg]

I think a wind turbine at a park is an excellent way to save elcetriity....IF the park generally experiences enough wind to make a difference. If you're not getting enough windy days per year to recoup the cost of the turbine, it's pretty pointless.


It will be interesting to see how Cedar Point reacts to this. Erie County (where CP is) is currently getting their feet wet in the wind energy department. There's a turbine set up just across the water from CP (Leaving the park, look right when you're on the causeway.. it's hard to miss) and there's talk of more to come. Hell, knowing CP... if it does turn out to be something in their future, CP will probably smack them up and paint them to look like giant pinwheels down the midway. :haha:

When, in modern times, has there been any "evolution" of the human race? There's no evidence of it. At all.

Because you're a caveman, and that screen you're typing into is just a rock. Seriously?

[CedarPointer]

I meant our actual genetics, as did TPM INC.

[Squid2]

To answer the way off topic question of human genetics... apparently more than you realise. There's ample evidence that humans are slowing losing our toes, as we no longer need them. Evolution doesn't work fast, but it does work...

As for parks generating/using power... most LIM/LSM launched rides use huge amounts of power. Hulk at IOA, for example, uses so much power that if it were hooked up to the Orlando power grid directly, it would brown out the grid every time a train was launched. (It uses a flywheel system and gradually draws power off the main lines, btw.)

Most parks have at least a substation... some even have independent means of generating power. But, as far as I know, no park in existance is completely independent of the grid.

Squid2

[Harpo]

When, in modern times, has there been any "evolution" of the human race? There's no evidence of it. At all.

There is evidence that humans are, on average, taller and larger than 100 years ago.

There is also evidence that red hair is disappearing and there will be no natural redheads within another couple of generations. (I find that item particularly interesting since my 6 month old daughter is, so far, a redhead! I'm told I had red hair for the first couple of months of my life, but it turned blonde.)

[therealsimmer3]

One could count Epcot's Universe of Energy, but even that doesn't generate enough power for the ride itself, let alone the park.

[TPM INC]

When, in modern times, has there been any "evolution" of the human race? There's no evidence of it. At all.

Frankly I did not, I mean adapting to there own environment. Like how some people are used to the warmth and some people are used the cold, and how some people are used to loud noises and can sleep under this condition. We adapt to our environment. Not necessary evolve as I said before when I did not mean to say.

[tomtomtom]

^I learnt somethign about that in biology, its like enviromental genetics. Like where we live in someway changes us, like you said, learning to deal with noise, or like needing glasses because of eye strain, stuff like that. But im pretty sure we wouldnt be able to adapt to living by a wind turbine if its really noisy.

ONTOPIC. How much does it actually cost per day to run a whole theme park? it must be thousands. Ofcourse they make that money back from guests but still.

[TheFreshEffect]

There's ample evidence that humans are slowing losing our toes, as we no longer need them

This is news to me as I can't think of a positive for loosing our toes!

[therealsimmer3]

How much does it actually cost per day to run a whole theme park? it must be thousands.....
Think about that next time you ever think of complaining about Disneyland's high entry prices.

[Behemoth08]

The Falls on Wonder Mountain at Canada's Wonderland provides the power to the entire A/C to the park.

[colbycx]

I think the rides should have pressure sensers in the supports so that they would power themselves. and also on the walkways, to power lights and AC. there go the bills!

[Harpo]

Just to make sure I understand...

You're saying that you want the coaster manufacturers to find a way to violate the laws of physics and create perpetual motion machines? Fascinating.

[colbycx]

harpo, were you talking to me?

[Harpo]

If you are requesting a perpetual motion machine, then, yes.

It would be possible to capture some of the vibration and generate some electricity, but, due to losses from friction and air resistance, it would be impossible for the ride to generate enough electricity to completely run itself.

It would also be possible to use the captured electricity to partially run the ride, but doing so would require modulating the captured electricity to match the electrical signature obtained from the electrical grid. At this time, I don't think such a thing would be cost-effective.

At an electrical engineering convention, I did see a system for capturing some electricity from vibrations, developed by college students who were trying to create a self-sustaining small-scale control system. The amount of electricity that was captured was remarkably small, partially due to losses in the electrical circuitry. It has potential for very small applications, but it is not yet ready for prime-time.

[colbycx]

Oh, I don't really know too much about that stuff. I just saw on travel channel that there is a club powered by dancers on the dance floor, and wondered if it could be used in an ammusement park.