sci.energy

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"Anthony Matonak" wrote in message
news:4703167f$0$26380$4c368faf@ ...
> Don Kelly wrote:
>> "Anthony Matonak" wrote in message
> ...
>----snip-----
> The argument that wind is not viable for grid power is based
> on the idea that there is no capacity to store energy hooked
> up to the grid. There is no (or little) storage on the grid
> because almost all the power generation is from hydro, nuclear
> and fossil fueled power plants and these can be adjusted at
> will to produce the amount of power needed.
>
> Essentially, the argument is that there is no storage on the
> grid and there is no storage on the grid because previously
> there wasn't any need for it. This makes the argument against
> wind power one that says it's not viable because previously
> it wasn't used. Therefore, because it wasn't used this makes
> it impossible to use and the utilities, the grid, can not
> adapt to anything new.

>
> Anthony

These arguments are, to a great extent, red herrings. There is storage- when
the wind blows it supplies energy which would otherwise be used- the storage
is coal in the pile, oil in the ground or in a tank, water behind a dam,
etc. This primary storage is better than secondary storage but there are
secondary storage schemes such as pumped hydro or, as in at least one gas
turbine plant in Germany, off peak energy is used to compress air in an old
salt mine for use at peak times. Note that such storage is independent of
the originating source and the present choice of such storage is an economic
one. If secondary storage is to be expanded, then it still will be an
economic choice (including an attempt to put a value on minimising
pollution). I would suggest that presently and possibly for a considerable
time to come, widespread storage schemes simply aren't viable.

The real problem is that wind is available on nature's timetable, not
man's. Because of that extra reserve capacity is needed as the system must
be able to pick up the (often) unpredictable changes in wind energy
availability and do it "now". This requires additional plant- much of which
isn't producing much energy but has to be paid for. When wind generation at
off-peak times exceeds the system demand, then secondary storage becomes
much more interesting- we are a looong way from that.

--

Don Kelly dhky@
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