09-29-2003, 01:55 AM
Interesting, and I'm sure that it would be environmentally benign on a small scale. I would question the effect on the lake's ecosystem if a large number of facilities began to alter the natural deep water temperature significantly.
Another potential large scale problem would be excessive evaporation from the lake, especially in hot weather when there is already a lot of evaporation naturally. Of course, in hotter weather the buildings will be pumping even more heat into the lake.
Another system that has been around for a while is the water furnace ( Water Furnace FAQ ). The principle is similar, but the heat is transferred to and from ground water. Proximity to open water is not an issue, and the potential of direct impact on obvious species (i.e. fish) is less. That isn't to say that there wouldn't be an impact on the ecosystem, but the way that the water furnace works tends to distribute the temperature influence over a larger area.
-rcv-
Another potential large scale problem would be excessive evaporation from the lake, especially in hot weather when there is already a lot of evaporation naturally. Of course, in hotter weather the buildings will be pumping even more heat into the lake.
Another system that has been around for a while is the water furnace ( Water Furnace FAQ ). The principle is similar, but the heat is transferred to and from ground water. Proximity to open water is not an issue, and the potential of direct impact on obvious species (i.e. fish) is less. That isn't to say that there wouldn't be an impact on the ecosystem, but the way that the water furnace works tends to distribute the temperature influence over a larger area.
-rcv-