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Background
Background
Wind occurs due to the uneven heating of the earth's atmosphere by the sun, irregularities on the earth's surface, and the earth's rotation. A wind turbine turns wind energy into electricity using blades that rotate under the aerodynamic forces of airflow to turn the rotor of a generator.
Power produced by a wind turbine is proportional to the wind speed cubed (to the 3rd power). Small changes in wind speed, therefore, generate huge changes in power production, Increasing the wind speed by 25% almost doubles the power produced, and conversely a wind speed drop of 20% cuts power generated almost in half.
As the amount of this highly unreliable wind power generated increases, brownouts and skyrocketing prices for electricity when the winds die down, become more frequent, as demonstrated by Texas.
UK Wind energy Roller Coaster
Power output in 5 min intervals
UK Wind energy Roller Coaster
Power output in 5 min intervals
Wind for an entire country is unreliable
United Kingdom (UK)
United Kingdom (UK)
The United Kingdom with some of the best wind energy resources on the planet with high, (but not too high), mean wind speeds, illustrates the incredible unreliability of wind energy. This roller coaster pattern of countrywide power generation requires 100% backup by reliable power, making it a parasite on the energy generation system.
Texas
Texas
Texas leads the US in wind energy production due to the ideal combination of some of the best wind resources in the US and a pro-development business environment. So how reliable is wind power in the best area in the US for its generation? Not very, unless you consider regularly going from meeting more than 50% of your load to less than 3% reliable.
Next time your Facebook friend or foe claims that wind power isn't responsible for brownouts becoming a regular occurrence in Texas, post the following chart.
What is particularly sickening about wind turbines, for those who value minimizing atmospheric warming and leaving more nature undisturbed, is their impact on atmospheric methane levels. The erratic nature of wind requires backup by natural gas turbines, inefficiently operated like an automobile driven by a "lead foot Larry." The rapid run up and down to accommodate erratic wind power productions wastes gas and prematurely wears out equipment.
Washington State
Washington State
Washington state is fortunate to have some of the lowest electricity rates in the country due to multiple hydroelectric dams, including the massive Grand Coulee Dam, the greatest generator of hydroelectric power in the US. With little methane generation, the hydropower produced throughout the state is truly carbon free. While the state lacks the superior wind resources of Texas, virtue signaling green means never having to justify a project based on economic or environmental cost-benefit analysis. Consequently, the Bonneville Power Authority has multiple projects with a rated capacity approaching 3,000 MW, or 10% of their rated hydroelectric power.
Power production plummets during the coldest winter and hotter summer days when calm winds prevail and power demand is greatest. A similar situation occurs in Texas, leading to regular power brownouts, as airconditioning needs rise with +100 F temperatures and wind power production drops.
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