>On the issue of storage, you have side-stepped that such solutions are >part of the enviro-impact analysis of such power-generation schemes as >solar and wind. Even if, as you propose, one does not engage in such >solutions as batteries and such, sticking with >ready-made-stored-energy until we're ready for such solutions as >biofuels, this also has its own enviro impact.
I didn't sidestep anything; I merely stated that conventional electrical storage systems would increase the cost and complexity of WTG systems. As it stands now, and for a long time to come, wind can easily replace a great deal of traditional power generation without the added cost or environmental impact of storage systems. We won't really have problems until we get 30% of our power from the wind. At that time, we'll have to address the possibility of not meeting peak demand, finding a good way to store electricity, or having a cheap replacement for fossil fuels to fill the gap. Besides batteries and capacitors, there are actually non-electric power storage systems that have been used successfully, but these are less than ideal. One that comes to mind is hydro-pumping; this is similar to hydroelectric, except the system is closed. That is electricity from the WTG is used to pump water up a grade into a storage tank, and that water is released to turn a hydroelectric turbine during peak periods. All those mechanical and electro-mechanical exchanges aren't very efficient though. Another option would be to use the excess electricity to split hydrogen, and then use that to power a fuel cell during peak load. This isn't very efficient either. A third option is just to overbuild and disperse your capacity, and bet on the fact that the wind is always blowing SOMEWHERE. The point of all this is that no matter how great wind power is to the environment, we'll have difficulty relying on it as our sole source of electricity. Perhaps large solar plants are the solution to supplement wind, but for now they're too expensive. Typically wind generated electricity costs between 2.5 and 4 cents per kWh while the few utility scale PV plants generate electricity for 5 to 10 cents per kWh. For comparison coal plants generate electricity for 1 to 3 cents per kWh. Maybe when those cheap organic PV modules hit the market... >>Comparing wind to hydroelectric is irrational. > >I think I made clear that the odd comparison I was trying to draw was >pretty much basic physics... one of trying to corral a previously >uncorralled force of nature that is relatively massive and has great >potential. I stand by the comparison, sloppy as it may be. You've >said nothing to dissuade. I saw your analogy, I just don't think it fits. If you have water "corralled" you can let some of it out when you need power. Traditional hydroelectric has the advantage of being available when needed. Corralling wind is what we're talking about. As far as I know, there isn't a cheap or efficient way to store wind or the energy generated by wind for later use. Gravity is constant and predictable, but the wind is not. Speaking of predictable, someone needs to put a WTG and a heat exchanger on Capitol Hill to take advantage of all that hot air. -BRAH [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/index.php?list=biofuel Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/FGYolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
