Chasing energy “independence” is pointless.
I would disagree with this. One can be independent and interdependent at the same time. Killing two birds with one stone. I also agree that windmills went out in the 20’s and 30’s except as well pumps, and they should have stayed out.
Had a trip through WY last week where I was privileged to observe literally hundreds of windmills sitting perfectly still. The generous subsidies are coming up for renewal and are getting a hard look. The windmill industry is running scared. They cannot be viable without subsidies, and when you consider the 35% efficiency, they never should have been given a second look. Now we have squandered billions, when we could have built a large number of power plants using coal oil or gas, and perhaps even had approval for some nuclear plants.
Energy independence does not necessarily mean wind mills and soalr panels alone.
Windmills. *snort*
Mexico’s total oil production has been falling resulting in less crude oil to the US. This is expected to only get worse. They already dropped behind Saudi Arabia in US crude oil supplies.
Canada exports to the US are growing but are threatened by Carbon legislative proposals in both the US and Canadian governments.
Iran and Saudi Arabia along with other countries are building new and expanding their refineries, lowering their dependence on others and are planning to become net exporters of the more valuable refined products while also building up their chemical industry. Saudi will have much quicker and greater success. Iran has more financial struggles. Other OPEC nations are doing the same.
See this link... it gives an assessment of energy sources, and is devastating on the real value of wind in this regards.
WIND is all about making money NOW for the people putting the deals together and selling the equipment.
From an energy / grid standpoint - it is likely a scam.
http://www.slideshare.net/JohnDroz/energy-presentationkey-presentation