Posted on 11/08/2015 8:03:39 PM PST by Timpanagos1
DALLAS — In Texas, wind farms are generating so much energy that some utilities are giving power away.
Briana Lamb, an elementary school teacher, waits until her watch strikes 9 p.m. to run her washing machine and dishwasher. It costs her nothing until 6 a.m. Kayleen Willard, a cosmetologist, unplugs appliances when she goes to work in the morning. By 9 p.m., she has them plugged back in.
(Excerpt) Read more at mobile.nytimes.com ...
Key sentence. “Deregulation in Texas has spurred intense competition for customers.”
Yep. Because of deregulation my 2200 square foot house was kept at a cool 69° all Summer and my highest bill was $115.
Free wind power can’t be bad.
They have been offering this for 2 years.
The math doesn’t work out quite as you would think.
Yeah it’s all deregulation, I’m sure the massive amounts of government subsidies to wind farms have nothing to do with it. You really are paying for all this. Through taxes....
But, but, what about the uncollected excise taxes, sales taxes, franchise fees, and other unpaid taxes? Libs heads are exploding with the sounds of a kid popping bubble wrap.
A couple months ago, wind power prices in Texas went down to negative prices. That is good.
All power is subsidized, but since we are all forced to pay for it, it would be nice to be able to use electricity at free prices.
Check back later.
But, I read in last months issue of “Scientific FReeper” that wind power sucks. Or something.
They still have to generate “reliable” electricity no matter how much wind is blowing at any given moment. I’m sure people’s voltage isn’t fluctuating all over the place with the vagaries of the weather.
Somebody correct me if I’m wrong.
Yeah. You should take 5 minutes and do a little research on how much wind power actually costs to produce and then ask yourself who is really paying for your “free” energy. Carefully though you might be shocked to find out it really isn’t free after all. Oh unless you are one of those millions that dont pay taxes. In that case enjoy...
I’m paying for the subsidies via taxes, I get that. But until Congress discontinues wind energy subsides, may as well use very cheap or free electricity at night.
I thought that, generally, winds diminish after sunset. Is Texas wind that much different?
I grew up dependent upon wind power for water. Therefore, some summers we had to haul water from town.
Wind doesn’t always blow. In Texas, as summer burns on, a rare hot wind on sweaty skin can be a blessing. More often the prairie just bakes in the still but blistering sun.
It’s my understanding that there is yet no good way to “bank” wind-generated power that is abundant when nature cooperates, but otherwise unreliable. There’s when coal and natural gas save the day.
No.
It probably has more to do with lower demand from closed offices and businesses than from increased wind.
“At night, they are generating more wind electricity than they consume and the electricity can’t be stored. Basically, supply is greater than demand at night. “
Yes, but wind is inconsistent. You cannot run any electrical appliance if the voltage is going up and down with the wind speed. The utilities still have to generate (fossil fuel, hydro, nuke) a steady supply of AC to cover anticipated instantaneous use plus some safety margin.
They might say they’re getting too much wind, but the reality probably is they’re trying to get people to do things like laundry during non-peak hours vice daytime peak hours.
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