[xcamel]

Every kilowatt of wind energy (and solar, for that matter) needs 900 watts of conventional backup. There is no viable storage, and the US grid is not built to handle random energy input. “renewable energy” (until the time we can use tidal/ocean currents) is a fools game, and the producers damn well know it.

[yarddog]

I know wind cannot do it alone but still think it is a viable source of a lot of energy. BTW, having lived in Western Kansas, it is pretty darn reliable. Maybe not near 100% but it seemed to blow all the time.

[billva]

Wind alone is not adequate.

For what ever reason even the OBVIOUS escapes people. What if it's NOT a windy day? You cannot STORE the power.

Every kilowatt of wind energy (and solar, for that matter) needs 900 watts of conventional backup. There is no viable storage, and the US grid is not built to handle random energy input. “renewable energy” (until the time we can use tidal/ocean currents) is a fools game, and the producers damn well know it.

I don't think the not being able to store is escaping people like T Boone Pickens at all.

In the first place some storage is possible, batteries etc, but probably not practical in the quantity needed.

However also addressing the backup needed, those plants should already be in place but not used to supplement the wind. However no matter how you look at it when the wind is producing then other fuel is not being used.

Wind could be a real factor in producing energy.