Wind Power Investment

[Guest]

Wind, with its immense energy potential, can prove to be a great source of power. Created by the uneven heating of the land masses by sun, wind power is a clean energy source. When the sun heats up the landmasses, the air above the land gets hot and rises up, allowing the air above it to take its place. Being an environment friendly source of energy, wind produces no pollutants and can be renewed.

Although it stores great power, wind energy is used less as a source of renewable energy. It is studied that the wind energy usage is confined to only 1% of the total world energy. However its usage is increasing every year. It has risen more than fivefold globally between 2000 and 2007. By 2010, the World Wind Energy Association expects 160GW of capacity to be installed worldwide, up from 73.9 GW at the end of 2006, implying an anticipated net growth rate of more than 21% per year.

The potential of wind power on land and near-shore is calculated to be around 72 terrawatts (TW), or over five times the world's current energy use in all forms (15 TW from all sources in 2005). This power of the wind needs to be tapped adequately. Over the years, the investments in wind power have risen owing to this fact.




Admin edit: Removed obvious spammer link.

 

[Timeflies]

Ok but what happens when a large high pressure system moves in the middle of summer. Firstly everyone turns on the air conditioning and increases the load on the network. At the same time the wind stops. What is left is a massive energy gap that has to be filled.

Agreed the wind option has to be part of the energy mix but it should not be believed to be the answer to all out problems. Also did you know that the main reason the government is investing so heavily in wind is to meet its 2020 targets obligation (Which now incidentally it will probably miss by quite a long shot)? Wind is a VERY expensive source of energy to capture for a relatively low return (Around 2.5MW per turbine). 3 new nuclear plants would be able to produce around 3000MW-4000MW.... 1400 new turbines or 3 new nuclear?

Just my 2 pennies worth.

T

 

[henryscat]

Wind is a VERY expensive source of energy to capture for a relatively low return (Around 2.5MW per turbine). 3 new nuclear plants would be able to produce around 3000MW-4000MW.... 1400 new turbines or 3 new nuclear?

I'll have the wind turbines thanks...

There are significant long term costs with nuclear not only building/operating but decommissioning. Aside from that uranium is a finite resource.

As well as changing the energy mix, consumption needs to be reduced through efficiency. Now if after the oil crisis in the 70s investment had continued in alternatives/efficiency measures I daresay we'd be in a lot better position now than we are.

 

[wmrcomputers]

I understand the massive energy gap theory, but I'd assume the long term plan would be to "harness" the extra power generated during times of low consumption in order to "fill" that gap. If we are assuming that 15TW is the worlds current power consumption, and wind is capable of producing around 75 or whatever the figure was, then evidently some of that additionally created power could be stored.
In a similar way, I know that people who have their own home turbine can sometimes produce more than what they are consuming, and at those times it is automatically fed back into the grid and sold to them (I assume more like knocked off your bill as there would be time that you create alot less than you use)

 

[Timeflies]

I understand the massive energy gap theory, but I'd assume the long term plan would be to "harness" the extra power generated during times of low consumption in order to "fill" that gap. If we are assuming that 15TW is the worlds current power consumption, and wind is capable of producing around 75 or whatever the figure was, then evidently some of that additionally created power could be stored.
In a similar way, I know that people who have their own home turbine can sometimes produce more than what they are consuming, and at those times it is automatically fed back into the grid and sold to them (I assume more like knocked off your bill as there would be time that you create alot less than you use)

This is a good point and energy storage is one area that is being investigated thoroughly by the "Energy World". With the introduction of EV's (Electric vehicles) now on the horizon the potential storage capacity is high. Everyone will a have an electric car attached to the network over night so why not use these batteries? That said will car manufacturers allow there products to be charged and discharged with level of frequency that will be required? It is not good for a batteries life cycle.....

Also interconnectors between countries should be increased in my opinion. It gives all involved more security of supply and then when the wind blows in Norway and Belgium we can use it in the UK for example if it is not all needed for domestic markets.

As henrys cat says the emphasis should be on efficiency by each and every one of us. Just by changing all light bulbs to energy efficient one is a start (11w instead of 40w etc.)...

It’s a very interesting topic but the amount of time it is taking to change (energy efficiency, new technologies, better energy mix etc) is just too long.

And don’t get me wrong I’m not anti-wind, in fact I am actually for it!

T

 

[Admin]

Just in case anyone hadn't realised, Derek59 is a spammer whose sole intention was to make a post linking to a particular site in order to increase its Google rank. I have removed the link, and deleted the user, but decided to leave the thread in place since it has sparked a discussion.

 

[shoes]

And don’t get me wrong I’m not anti-wind, in fact I am actually for it!

Paaaaarp!

 

[John Marwood]

the answer,my friend, is..


oh my god! someone open a window!!

 

[zakkwylde87]

Didn't take long did it shoes....!

 

[John Marwood]

Just in case anyone hadn't realised, Derek59 is a spammer whose sole intention was to make a post linking to a particular site in order to increase its Google rank. I have removed the link, and deleted the user, but decided to leave the thread in place since it has sparked a discussion.

Given this insight into the world of e commerce would it help Stafford businesses if we each had links to Stafford business featured here, at the bottom of our quotes?

Just a thought,doesnt happen often

 

[stoofer34]

Windfarms keep me in a job


http://www.bowind.co.uk/

S

 

[Withnail]

It is a shame that in the early 80's, when British engineers were at the forefront of alternative energy source development (and nuclear research funding was costing £220m annually), Government research funding in this area was cut. The power generation capabilities of Salter's Duck were apparently 'accidentally' miscalculated by a factor of ten.

Still, at least it saved the public purse a whopping £3m a year.

I blame....(Edit: really sorry, couldn't resist.)