| Pros and Cons of Wind Energy |
| Alternative Energy - Wind Power |
| Monday, 26 November 2007 05:03 |
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Here is a link to another article in an ever increasing list of discussions about wind power and its pros and cons. More and more negative or problematic points about wind energy are surfacing, and it is mostly because wind energy is starting to have a measurable impact instead of just being "in the noise" of the electricity generation mix. Essentially, because utility and grid operators don"t know exactly when wind power will be getting generated due to the unpredictability in wind speed, there are additional actions that need to be taken in operating a reliable electric grid. As the amount of installed wind capacity (the MegaWatts installed if all wind generators were operating at maximum power) gets to over 10% of the entire grid capacity (wind, nuclear, coal, natural gas, hydroelectric, etc.), the other electrical generators are required to operate to account for the increased wind capacity. This assumes, of course, that you are going to allow the full available wind power onto the grid at any given time. A study by GE (see http://www.ercot.com/meetings/ros/keydocs/2007/1022/Variablity_and_Predictability_draft_dlvd_2a.zip, or link on page http://www.ercot.com/calendar/2007/10/20071022-ROSWIND.html), done for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) shows that the dispatchable generators (those that can be turned on at any time) have to be able to ramp up and down faster the more that wind is integrated into the grid. Interestingly, the predictability of the total load that needs to be served by the dispatchable generators stayed about the same as without wind. This is because there is already enough uncertainty in the electricity demand throughout the day such that the added uncertainty of wind generation was not incredibly influential. Basically, with more wind, we are deciding how many other additional aspects (higher generation ramp rates, more transmission lines, etc.) we are willing to deal with to have a clean source of electricity. The fact that wind energy is getting questioned for its newly-perceived (though not new at all) drawbacks is a testament to the wind industry already solving many problems to become a mainstream source of electricity. |
Tick for city turbines - Support for green measures Hobart MercuryFriday 19/6/2009 Page: 7A PROPOSAL to erect wind turbines on two Hobart buildings has been greeted as a sign of things to come. Architects and sustainability experts have generally welcomed the proposal as an example of increasing environmental awareness.... Read more Wind Power | | Wednesday, 24 June 2009 |
Wind holds promise of work for thousands AustralianThursday 18/6/2009 Page: 2ONCE an oddity, the sight of giant windmills harvesting the breeze is set to increasingly become a normal part of the landscape as Australia seeks green energy alternatives. The world"s cheapest renewable energy source, which also boasts... Read more Wind Power | | Wednesday, 24 June 2009 |
The problem with wind power in the UK: increased dependence on fossil fuels The BBC News science section has an interesting sketch of the different ways in which Europe"s wind power potential and costs are tied to different regional circumstances. Simon Cox asks what happens when the wind doesn"t blow, and compares the... Read more Wind Power | | Saturday, 6 September 2008 |
Pros and Cons of Wind EnergyHere is a link to another article in an ever increasing list of discussions about wind power and its pros and cons. More and more negative or problematic points about wind energy are surfacing, and it is mostly because wind... Read more Wind Power | | Novemberonday, 26 November 2007 |
Farmers reap the wind - and profits Canberra TimesTuesday 5/8/2008 Page: 3Contentious wind farms worth hundreds of millions of dollars are offering farmers and drought stricken rural communities a fresh income stream. Work has started on a$ 100 million wind farm near Crookwell, and a planning application... Read more Wind Power | | Augustonday, 25 August 2008 |
Energy Ball Makes Wind Turbines Look Cool The Energy Ball definitely looks like one of the coolest wind turbines out there, and it is intended for residential homes, which makes it extra cool. The Energy Ball utilizes the Venturi effect, a measurement of pressure created by... Read more Wind Power | | Friday, 5 September 2008 |
Five Weird-Ass Wind Turbines We"re starting to get used to wind turbines...not just the idea of getting a significant portion of our energy from the breeze, but also to their form on the horizon. But while the traditional tri-blade has its advantages, there are... Read more Wind Power | | Sunday, 7 September 2008 |
Wind Generator Plans - Build a Wind Generator TodayIf you"re considering getting a wind generator installed to help conserve energy and save money on your energy bills each month, why not build one instead? By building one on your own, you can save more money, therefore you reap... Read more Wind Power | | TUSEDAY, 19 August 2008 |
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