Posted on 07/07/2015 12:31:16 PM PDT by newgeezer
The cost of wind energy is significantly more expensive than its advocates pretend, a new US study has found.
If you believe this chart produced by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), then onshore wind is one of the cheapest forms of power – more competitive than nuclear, coal or hydro, and a lot more than solar.
But when you take into account the true costs of wind, it’s around 48 per cent more expensive than the industry’s official estimates – according to new research conducted by the University of Utah.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
The whole point of the article is that the chart isn't accurate.
It all depends on the goals.
If the goal is to generate electricity, yeah, they’re a big fail.
But, if the goal is to generate liberal self-righteousness, they’re a big success!
Typical wind turbines generally cut out when wind speed hits around 30 mph (so operation range is a few mph to 30 mph). Low temperature accessories and design changes are not a real big deal, and most locations do without, as not many problems show up until -20 degrees.
The innards have to be kept warm when the temp drops. Let a machine that uses bearings, grease, oil, pumps and valves set idle for 12 hours in sub zero temps and just ‘turn it on’ and its gonna break.
They may be referring to the road network. In waste areas (e.g. Texas) that's probably no big deal, but in the east they generally have to clear forests.
In the desert?
It’s not accurate.
And they have “added” the so-called “social cost” of coal ... by adding in anything and any assumptions they want to.
Wind generates 17% to 23% capacity factor. Only 1/5 nameplate rating worldwide - and that’s in the “good areas” of optimal wind speeds and wind availability.
No. They generate about 15% power at 6-8 knots wind speed, then cut out completely at 250-30 (usually 30 knots).
If the wind is below 25 knots, they cannot be fully loaded. So they generate 100% (nameplate power) only between 25 and 30 knots wind speed.
Got a source for that? This says "typically between 45 and 80 mph, most wind turbines cease power generation and shut down." That may be more relevant to residential (tiny) wind turbines. But, 30 MPH? I'm going to say no way that's the case on modern wind farms.
(Help me out here, DungeonMaster. You're the windpower wonk.)
Easiest way is see for yourself on any of the commercial web sites that sell wind turbines and read the fine print on the models.
It’s possible brand new designs would handle faster winds. The very high wind speeds thrown around are what they can tolerate without damage, not where they can produce electricity.
Another big batch of ‘em going up in mid KS. Its gotta get F’n cold up in the wind. And mid July is roasting.
Used to drive through central New York and enjoy the bucolic, pastoral scenery. Now the hills are covered with those ugly, noisy, hideous Bird killing machines. I don’t enjoy going through there anymore!
The US consumes 4 quads of electricity in a year. If the PTC were applied to every electric source on the chart it would cost 104 billion dollars in a government subsidy for electricity, something that really works well.
According to Herritage.org the total spending for welfare was almost 10 times that at 949 billion in 2014, and that's paying for people who don't work.
Each form of electrical production has advantages and disadvantages. I think they are all pretty nifty and I've liked wind turbines for 40 years.
"Narrow" is subjective. Newer wind turbines are getting bigger rotors/mw and yield is around 35-40 percent of nameplate power.
Cut out speed for windturbines is usually pretty close to 50 mph. Full load power is usually around 30mph but lately that is dropping due to the larger rotors/mw of newer turbines.
But it’s better than the ugly blight of a few dozen oil rigs in a postage stamp section of the Arctic wilderness, don’t ya know!
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