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Tag Archives: wind power
Mainstream to jetstream
Mainstream to jetstream A couple of decades ago, renewable energy was almost an outlier: the new kid on the block. But now, solar and wind are not just mainstream: in both developed and emerging economies, they are the preferred option when it comes to power generation. A powerful synergy of enabling factors and demand-side attributes is propelling […]
The cost of wind & solar power: batteries included
The cost of wind & solar power: batteries included For some time now we here on Energy Matters have been harping on about the prohibitive costs of long-term battery storage. Here, using two simplified examples, I quantify these costs. The results show that while batteries may be useful for fast-frequency response applications they increase the […]
Quantifying wind surpluses and deficits in Western Europe
Quantifying wind surpluses and deficits in Western Europe This post updates my January 2015 Wind blowing nowhere post using 2016 rather than 2013 data. The 2016 data show the same features as the 2013 data, with high and low wind conditions extending over large areas and a decreasing level of correlation with distance between countries. The […]
Scotland’s wind exports to England and the myth of a 100% renewable Scotland
Scotland’s wind exports to England and the myth of a 100% renewable Scotland Well over half of Scotland’s wind generation between January 12, 2018 and the present was exported to England and not consumed in Scotland. Euan Mearns reached substantially the same conclusion in his review of January and February 2016 data. Scotland’s government nevertheless […]
The National Infrastructure Commission’s plan for a renewable UK
The National Infrastructure Commission’s plan for a renewable UK The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) was launched by then-chancellor George Osborne in October 2015 to “think dispassionately and independently about Britain’s long-term infrastructure needs in areas like transport, energy, communication, flood defence and the like.” Well, the NIC has now thought dispassionately and independently about energy […]
Why The Coming Oil Crunch Will Shock The World
Anton Balazh/Shutterstock Why The Coming Oil Crunch Will Shock The World And why we need a new energy strategy — fast. My years working in corporate strategy taught me that every strategic framework, no matter how complex (some I worked on were hundreds of pages long), boils down to just two things: Where do you […]
The Aberdeen Bay Offshore Wind Farm
The Aberdeen Bay Offshore Wind Farm After about 15 years in planning, the long awaited and largely hated Aberdeen Bay wind farm has taken shape in recent weeks. I seem to recall early reports saying that the turbines, located on the horizon, would be barely visible from shore. Well that was a lie. The huge […]
Energy Externalities Day 5: Wind Power
Energy Externalities Day 5: Wind Power It’s now day 5 of the Energy Externality Game and time to move onto the first of the new renewables, namely wind power. Loved by Green groups who see only reduced CO2 emissions, wind farms are hated by many others who see a blot on the landscape. Here at […]
Wind farm blades damaged after just a few years at sea — hundreds need repair
Wind farm blades damaged after just a few years at sea — hundreds need repair Image of offshore wind farms. Baltic Sea Wikimedia | Mariusz Paździora We are trying to collect dilute erratic energy, spread over hundreds of square kilometers in windy, salty, and wet conditions with machines that spin at 330km/hour. What could possibly […]
Wind and solar on Thursday Island
Wind and solar on Thursday Island While rummaging around the internet to see if I could find any information on the performance of wind farms in Queensland (and especially in Far North Queensland – Andrew Blakers’ supposed panacea for the rather more correlated wind farm outputs in the NEM area), I came across Thursday Island, […]
In Maria’s Wake, Could Puerto Rico Go Totally Green?
In Maria’s Wake, Could Puerto Rico Go Totally Green? The ecological and humanitarian destruction of Puerto Rico has left the world aghast. But there is a hopeful green-powered opportunity in this disaster that could vastly improve the island’s future while offering the world a critical showcase for a sane energy future. By all accounts Hurricane […]
The real strike price of offshore wind
The real strike price of offshore wind Hinkley still scores on reliability and low carbon ….. but the extent to which its costs are obscene is now plainer than ever. In Monday’s capacity auction, two big offshore wind farms came in at £57.50 per megawatt hour and a third at £74.75. These “strike prices” ….. […]
How (Not) to Run a Modern Society on Solar and Wind Power Alone
How (Not) to Run a Modern Society on Solar and Wind Power Alone While the potential of wind and solar energy is more than sufficient to supply the electricity demand of industrial societies, these resources are only available intermittently. To ensure that supply always meets demand, a renewable power grid needs an oversized power generation […]
The “Wind and Solar Will Save Us” Delusion
The “Wind and Solar Will Save Us” Delusion The “Wind and Solar Will Save Us” story is based on a long list of misunderstandings and apples to oranges comparisons. Somehow, people seem to believe that our economy of 7.5 billion people can get along with a very short list of energy supplies. This short list will […]
As Drought Grips South Africa, A Conflict Over Water and Coal
As Drought Grips South Africa, A Conflict Over Water and Coal Facing one of the worst droughts in memory, South Africa’s leaders have doubled down on their support of the water-intensive coal industry. But clean energy advocates say the smartest move would be to back the country’s burgeoning wind and solar power sectors. Until a ferocious […]
