Wind power has problems
The analysis in the editorial “Wind power benefits outweigh negatives” is very questionable. It provides an overly-simplistic treatment of electricity generation means and bounces across a number of fossil-fuel related negatives.
Based on this flimsy process it arrives at what is apparently an obvious and broad sweeping conclusion that wind power is “…clearly one of the best energy alternatives…”
However, in fairness to the writer, these are the common mistakes of the conventional wisdom, which supports industrial wind power well beyond its negligible merits for electricity generation and CO2 emissions reduction. Although not well informed, this popular view is understandable because of: concerns about climate change; media hype; political policies that claim to address this issue; pronouncements by environmentalists stepping outside their area of expertise; and effective promotion by wind power organizations.
Europe is looked to, undeservedly, as a model. Countries there already know the problems with industrial scale wind, but because of lucrative wind turbine export markets and political considerations, are not overly direct or open about it.
Contrary to what was stated, the wind does not blow constantly in Prince Edward County, or anywhere else for that matter. It blows at speeds that wind turbines can use relatively infrequently, and it fluctuates randomly.
Further, when a wind turbine does produce, the electricity output varies as the cube of the wind speed. This means that for two times a change in wind speed the electricity output changes by eight times.
As a result wind must be shadowed by other generation means that mirrors its erratic output from 0-100 per cent, matching all the fluctuations in between, to provide the overall smooth electricity output that is necessary for users.
In Ontario the shadowing backup will be gas turbine, which in this mode operates less efficiently than in its normal production role. This is like the difference in fuel efficiency of a car in the city versus the highway.
Further, for every percentage point reduction in efficiency, the CO2 emissions increase by two to three times. These considerations offset, and can nullify or even exceed, the fossil fuel and CO2 emissions reductions achieved by the industrial wind plant viewed alone.
With respect to Obama’s comments, The Intelligencer should know better than to rely on campaign promises of politicians.
The Intelligencer needs to take its own advice and, without loose logic, rethink its position.
Kent Hawkins
Picton
5 September 2008
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Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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