Posted on 09/29/2019 6:34:48 AM PDT by cutty
Michigan’s electric utilities gamble that the reliability of service won’t collapse.
Consumers Energy would have to double the number of wind turbines currently operating in this state to replace the electricity produced by just one of the coal- and gas-fired power plants it intends to close as part of its plans to rely more on renewable sources. The problem, however, is that those additional turbines only spin about one-third of the time, leaving a big energy gap for the households and businesses that rely on the company for their electricity.
..
regulated utilities and their vendors operate 1,107 industrial wind turbines in Michigan. These can produce 1,925.3 megawatts of electricity, but only when the wind is blowing.
Compare that to the Dan E. Karn generation plant in Bay County, which Consumers Energy plans shut down by 2032. Its four coal and two natural gas burners can produce up to 1,946.3 megawatts regardless of wind or weather.
Because the wind only blows intermittently, wind turbines in Michigan have a 36% capacity factor
...
But even that would not meet the need, because there is not enough variation in weather across Michigan to ensure that if turbine blades aren’t spinning in one area, they will do so elsewhere. When the blades are not spinning, Michigan’s utilities and the customers who rely on them would have to hope that utilities in other states have extra power available to sell at reasonable rates.
Coal-fired generators provided 37% of Michigan’s net electricity generation in 2018
...
Michigan’s law regulating regional electric monopolies like Consumers Energy and DTE Energy guarantees them a return of around 10% on all their operations. Those operations include tearing down existing power plants and replacing them with new facilities, including renewable source generators.
(Excerpt) Read more at michigancapitolconfidential.com ...
Wind and solar are cruel jokes! Stop the madness!
Most people just dont understand how Michigan is considered a poor location for such gimmicks because the wind is inconsistent and not even that strong on a normal day.
When the blades are not spinning, Michigan’s utilities and the customers who rely on them would have to hope that utilities in other states have extra power available to sell at reasonable rates.
Plus you need to keep them warm to prevent condensation in the windings.
There is no adequate source for our energy needs than petroleum. Sun/wind won’t do it. Nuclear would work well too.
The left’s goal is to destroy our industrial society and bring us back to the level of bushmen.
Our energy supply needs are like a cake. The only thing wind and solar can ever be is the frosting.
Petroleum is better used as a mobile fuel.
Canadians have absolutely destroyed the scenic beauty of their Great Lakes’ coastlines with wind farms. They don’t dare report what those things do to birds and wildlife also.
That’s easy - pass a law that mandates how often the wind blows...
(/’tardthink)
Windturdbins
Where they belong, in the turd bin of history.
Remove the subsidy and this boondoggle comes to an end!
“...Fookin’ idjits”
_____________________
That’s an Irish redneck phrase. Fan of Conor McGregor, by chance?
Thought I heard it in The Committments movie. Maybe not. LOL!
Are liberals really this stupid? They're killing their reliable, efficient coal fired plant in "hopes" that these wind turbines will fill the void. Which they admit they won't, so now the state is in the "wish and hope" business to make up the difference.
If it is bitter cold in Michigan when they need some neighboring state to come to their rescue, have they even considered that it will be bitter cold in the neighboring states as well and they probably won't have excess energy to re-route to Michigan where they've cut off their collective noses to spite their face? And even if they do, they are not going to sell it to Michigan at discount rates.
This is similar to what happen in 2000-2001 in California. A drought, bureaucratic delays in approval of new power plants and market manipulation, decreased the electrical supply in the state. Capping of rates and reduced supply of electricity within the state, leads to much higher rates if the demand goes up, which it did dramatically in the summer of 2000.
Rolling blackouts reflected the inability of the state to deliver power to many business and homes. And the prices to buy the power from out of state increased wholesale rates 800%. Out of state providers filled the void for power at exorbitantly high prices (remember Enron?). Pacific Gas and Electric filed for bankruptcy and Southern California Edison almost did. It was a disaster for California and cost them $45 billion in the end.
The same thing is going to happen to Michigan if they don't get their heads out of the asses.
Coal-fired generators provided 37% of Michigan’s net electricity generation in 2018
Maybe they can do ‘brownouts’ and destroy the major appliances of their customers.
And if that doesn’t work, they can do rolling blackouts... turn off people heat, AC, and water heaters.
Gads we can ride this all the way to taking back the House and more State Legislatures... Win Win...
It will kill off a lot more birds and create a lot of nonrecyclable fiberglass waste though.
For sure. They promise the congress-critters money and then they get the subsidies. Others are hapless go-alongs. And the idiots suck it up.
Maybe they can do ‘brownouts’ and destroy the major appliances of their customers.
And if that doesn’t work, they can do rolling blackouts... turn off people heat, AC, and water heaters.
Gads we can ride this all the way to taking back the House and more State Legislatures... Win Win...
Sprinkles on top of the frosting.
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