Beam me to Planet Gore !
Posted on 04/11/2011 12:51:36 PM PDT by neverdem
The study has challenged industry assertions about the output of wind farms
Wind farms are much less efficient than claimed, producing below 10% of capacity for more than a third of the time, according to a new report.
The analysis also suggested output was low during the times of highest demand.
The report, supported by conservation charity the John Muir Trust, concluded turbines "cannot be relied upon" to produce significant levels of power generation.
However, industry representatives said they had "no confidence" in the data.
The research, carried out by Stuart Young Consulting, analysed electricity generated from UK wind farms between November 2008 to December 2010
Statements made by the wind industry and government agencies commonly assert that wind turbines will generate on average 30% of their rated capacity over a year, it said.
But the research found wind generation was below 20% of capacity more than half the time and below 10% of capacity over one third of the time.
'Different manner'
It also challenged industry claims that periods of widespread low wind were "infrequent".
The average frequency and duration of a "low wind event" was once every 6.38 days for 4.93 hours, it suggested.
The report noted: "Very low wind events are not confined to periods of high pressure in winter...
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Wind energy might be better used to spray ocean saltwater into the air to create more cooling clouds, rainfall, and hydro power. Old tires could be floated out to sea to also increase evaporation. Tires are black so absorb sun heat plus wave action causes rubber to heat. A large tire island off Saudi Arabia might cause enough evaporation to turn some desert into farmland.
Amazing. One could co-generate at home for less.
True, but coal fired plants don't need to run at 100% capacity to routinely cover our peak demand periods and they also provide backup power when the wind mills stand idle.
Hot days tend to generate peak demand due to the need for Air Conditioning. These are precisely the days when you don’t have a measurable amount of wind. Imagine that?
You don’t have to ask only POWER engineers.
I have to plan my route to avoid the sight of windmills whilst my grandkids are in the vehicle to keep from teaching them too much Chief Petty Officer speech, and I’m merely an Aero engineer.
Wind farms = M$ + BS
Thanks for the link!
bookmark
>>Whenever you drive through one you will notice that less than half have blades turning. The upkeep and maintenance is difficult and unpredictable.
I noticed that driving from LAX to Palm Springs 8 or 10 years ago, at the big wind farm at the pass though the mountains entering the Palm Springs area from the west.
Clearly you mistakenly think there is logic and analysis involved in this. Sorry, this is all about Watermelon Greens *feeling* good about themselves regarding the things they have forced on the public.
It is a sad state of affairs. Those who were paying attention during the Carter years saw much of the same nonsense with huge subsidies for “alternative energy”, as it was called at the time.
Nah, I just think it's a religion, and have thought that for quite some time.
There is a reason for windpower's low capacity factor: That is, the power put out by a windmill is proportional to the windspeed cubed. To better undertand this, consider the case where the wind is blowing just strong enough to get 100% power from a windmill (with most windmills this is at about 22 mph). If the wind then diminishes to half of that windspeed (say 11 mph) the windmill does not produce half of the power but instead produces one-eighth of the power (1/2 X 1/2 X 1/2 = 1/8) that it was producing. Thats a huge dropoff and is precisely why utilities need to keep a backup power supply online at all times.
It used to be farmland without the tires before.
If they only generate 30% of their rated capacity,
shouldn’t that be their rated capacity?
Worse, their is a cadre of Liberals who’s main client is uncle sugar. Their are those who are working the land leases, selling the concept to the farmer and then call the Utility for a free hook-up. My guess they are skimming all the cream off the top and leaving everyone hanging....
I concur wholeheartedly on that. It has become a replacement religion for those who have foresworn religion.
Great thread! Need to take a look tommorrow at this as well.
Thanks!
I agree. We’ve got some greedy ranchers doing it around here and enjoying the lease money. However, I DO NOT TRUST MY GOVERNMENT! I’m waiting to see what happens when Barry and his boys tell the Jolly Ranchers that BIG Gov’t is taking control of ALL energy sources AND THE LAND THEY ARE ON. Ain’t gonna be pretty.
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