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Wind power analysis lacks relevant comparisons
Credit: newsok.com 31 December 2010 ~~
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Translate: FROM English | TO English
The ongoing flow of information, both pro and con, concerning wind power lacks comparative analysis. It’s comparing kumquats to pizza. If the selling point of a product is speed, the seller loses credibility if he cites furlongs per fortnight in lieu of miles per hour. Proponents of wind power brag about tons of “greenhouse gas” (as compared to what?) and thousands of vehicles off the road. Does wind fuel vehicles? Will the reduction of those vehicles result in another bailout? Do all of these “equivalents” include the entire infrastructure? They tout some number of windmills on so many acres generating so many megawatts powering so many homes. Confusingly, the windmills/acre/production/homes ratios are always different. Also, I’ve never seen an estimated cost per kilowatt hour, which is what I see every month on my electric bill.
I did some parametric estimating to try to bridge some of the apples-to-apples gap. Granted this is anecdotal and based on sparse and inconsistent data but it’s all I had to work with. I estimate it would take 1,500 to 3,000 windmills to support the Oklahoma City area. This would use 10 percent to 18.5 percent of the state’s land. And the cost would be 600 percent to 800 percent of our current price.
I’m certain my estimates are erroneous and I sincerely welcome any assistance in providing more accurate parameters using empirical data.
Pete Lepo, Edmond
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