Wind power puffery

The Washington Times ^ | Feb 4, 2004 | H. Sterling Burnett

[neverdem]

Whenever there is a discussion of energy policy, many environmentalists and their political allies tout wind power as an alternative to burning fossil fuels. Even if electricity from wind power is more expensive than conventional fuel sources, and it is, wind advocates argue its environmental benefits are worth it. In particular, proponents claim increased reliance on wind power would reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

[neverdem]

PING

[stylin_geek]

bookmarked for later read.

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

[SierraWasp]

Where's our Iowa biblethumper and friend? (grin)

[farmfriend]

Waiting for your ping I'm sure. Lol!

[SierraWasp]

Good, cause this artickle kicks Iowa windmill fanatics butts!!! HaaaaaaaaHaaaaaaaaHaaaaaaaaaa!!!

[Carry_Okie]

A good and persuasive analysis.

but...

He didn't mention operating costs, lost opportunity, maintenance, downtime, or the net payback period for construction, all of which are rather high for wind turbines. Nor did he consider that wind generators get the highest price on the spot market as a "green" power source and would be a real loser if wind producers were paid market rates.

[SierraWasp]

Hay! I'm glad you showed up, but why'd you wait till I was ready to go to bed?

[randog]

A friend of mine who's in marketing was looking for a new job a few years back and looked into the renewable energy industry. He learned a bit about the industry, including wind turbines. You could install a wind turbine on your property (if zoning allowed for it) and make a dent in your power bill, but he calculated it would take about 15 years before you saw a return on your investment.

Another thing about wind turbines is that you can't plug them directly into the power grid. The power they produce has to be stored in batteries and converted into AC through an inverter first. Lead-acid batteries--now those are environmentally-friendly devices.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Good article.

Time for me to say nite nite!

[Carry_Okie]

Another thing about wind turbines is that you can't plug them directly into the power grid. The power they produce has to be stored in batteries and converted into AC through an inverter first. Lead-acid batteries--now those are environmentally-friendly devices.

A bigger facility could use a motor-generator or solid state conversion equipment with the attendant capital cost and loss in efficiency.

Nukes are where it's at, which is why of course the petrochemical industry went to such lengths to kill it on environmental grounds. They don't give a hang about the real environmental consequences of either carbon dioxide (not anthropogenic climate change, which is an obvious fabrication) or the resulting WAR to defend their lines of supply (as if that didn't have an environmental impact).

[Squantos]

Excel Energy has a big wind tower farm north of White Deer TX and has just set up measurement towers in two more areas close by...............alledgedly gonna be lots more going up here in the Panhandle.

Stay Safe !

[E.G.C.]

BTT!!!!!!

[laredo44]

So this guy writes an article with a hidden agenda, who'd a thunk it? The first seven paragraphs about wind power and the last seven about the affects on birds.

Be careful about predicting the unviability of wind power. General Electric has gotten into it in a big way and they don't tend to back losers.

One serious question though. These devices take energy out of the atmosphere, so what effect might they have on weather? I mean the liberals love that story about a butterfly beating its wings in Central Park and causing a typhoon in Tokyo, so imagine the handwringing they'll be able to get out of this.

[biblewonk]

Whenever there is a discussion of energy policy, many environmentalists and their political allies tout wind power as an alternative to burning fossil fuels

First question: What's this person's definition of an environmentalist? Are Shell and GE environmentalists. I certainly tout windpower but I don't worship the earth.

[biblewonk]

Even if electricity from wind power is more expensive than conventional fuel sources, and it is, wind advocates argue its environmental benefits are worth it. In particular, proponents claim increased reliance on wind power would reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Next question: How much more expensive? Is it .001 penny per kwhr more or 100 times more expensive. How about a nice chart of the costs of all forms of power instead of this hollow statement.

[biblewonk]

In particular, proponents claim increased reliance on wind power would reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

I and many many other proponents don't even believe in global warming but are interested in air quality and most importantly, yet totally left out, renewability!

[biblewonk]

Close inspection of wind power finds the promised air pollution improvements do not materialize. There are several reasons, the principal one being that wind farms generate power only when the wind blows within a certain range of speed. When there is too little wind, wind towers don't generate power. Conversely, when the wind is too strong, they must be shut off for fear of being blown down.

This is total nonsense. He changed the subject in mid sentence. Every kwhr made by wind is not made by burning a fossil fuel.