| Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005. |
Electricity from wind expensive
Credit: Published: September 3, 2013 | www.goerie.com ~~
Translate: FROM English | TO English
Translate: FROM English | TO English
Matt Walker, author of the Guest Voice column “Clean energy will benefit Erie” is probably well-meaning (Erie Times-News, Aug. 12). Unfortunately, his article demonstrates the danger of reaching conclusions and giving advice based on limited knowledge.
For example, take the assertions that: “Wind energy is not some future vision yet to be actualized – it is being rapidly developed right now. Renewable energy, including wind, provided 50 percent of all new energy-generating capacity in the United States in 2012 and currently represents 15.66 percent of the total installed generating capacity. The main reason for not moving forward on renewable energy is the lack of political will.”
In truth, there is a huge difference between wind generating capacity (measured in megawatts) and the amount of electricity that wind turbines actually generate (measured in megawatt-hours). There is a huge difference because wind turbines produce electricity only when the wind at the turbine is blowing at the right speed (i.e., in a range of roughly 6 to 55 mph). In fact, the output of electricity from wind turbines is, therefore, intermittent, highly variable and unreliable – unlike the output from reliable (dispatchable) generating units powered by natural gas, coal, oil, nuclear energy and, perhaps, biomass.
In summary, electricity from wind is very high in true cost and low in real value, and it provides very few jobs.
Glenn R. Schleede/Ashburn, Va.
This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.
The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.
| Wind Watch relies entirely on User Contributions |
 (via Stripe) |
 (via Paypal) |
Share:
[ Short URL: https://wind-watch.org/news/?p=52007 ]
