Electricity Generation

[Hopkirk]

At the moment 54% of our electricity is being produced by wind. Pretty good.

https://www.energydashboard.co.uk/live

[New Judge]

Yes, pretty good. But over the last thirty days there were long periods where less than a quarter of today's output was evident and quite a few occasions where wind contributed less than 5% of total demand.

Add into that the enormous carbon footprint left in the manufacture of these giant turbines and it leaves me wondering whether they are worthwhile. In fact, I'm not wondering at all - I'm quite convinced they are not.

[THECORBYLOON]

'In fact, it’s possible to calculate a carbon “payback” time for a wind turbine: the length of time it takes a turbine to produce enough clean electricity to make up for the carbon pollution generated during manufacture. One study put that payback time at seven months — not bad considering the typical 20- to 25-year lifespan of a wind turbine. Bottom line: Wind turbines are far from a joke. For the climate, they’re a deal too good to pass up.'

https://www.google.com/amp/s/yaleclimateconnections.org/2021/06/whats-the-carbon-footprint-of-a-wind-turbine/

[New Judge]

Provided, of course, the wind blows. I don't really relish the thought of relying on "a bit of luck and a following wind."

[bobbinwales]

I dont think the winds ever going to stop blowing permanent though newjudge, theres wind most days , gentle or strong. I assume the calculated payback time off 7 months is based on average wind levels so includes non-windy period's, if it assumes constant wind then may be the payback period will be a year or two which still is'nt bad.

[ZebuSanctuary]

// I'm quite convinced they are not. //

The study carried out in 2019 (Texas), suggests the carbon footprint is less than 1% compared to the carbon footprint left behind by its fossil fuelled counterpart - Extremely impressive!

Whether the author deliberately failed to mention or the data is inclusive of other factors of carbon generation, but there is no mention of cost and on going maintenance.

[youngmafbog]

Why do people shout out the one day its high but ignore all the days it's low?

What are we supposed to do on the low days? Nothing?

[THECORBYLOON]

"Why do people shout out the one day its high but ignore all the days it's low?

What are we supposed to do on the low days? Nothing?"

That would be relevant only if the turbines were the sole source of power, only in one location and were affected by wind conditions in that specific area.

[ZebuSanctuary]

// relevant only if the turbines were the sole source of power //

Indeed!

The future (if not already) of electricity generation, will be a synergy of currently existing and/or the development of new technologies. This could include renewables, bio-fuels/mass, nuclear etc

Am I the only one to consider wind turbines as a bit of an eyesore. But I do have faith in the ingenuity of our boffins.

Already they are developing wind towers. These do away with those awkward looking sails. In design they look very much like an oscillating tower fan you might purchase from a large retail outlet. Obviously on a much larger scale.

Who's to say, ten years from now, they maybe condensed into a 12 foot type structure. No longer appearing as blots on our landscape?

[Khandro]

If it's windy where you live NJ, I think it's time you got one on your roof;

'A 1.5-kW wind turbine will meet the needs of a home requiring 300 kWh per month in a location with a 14 MPH (6.26 meters per second) annual average wind speed. The manufacturer, dealer, or installer can provide you with the expected annual energy output of the turbine as a function of annual average wind speed.'
:0)

[Zacs-Master]

And if the wind's not blowing, NJ, you could always just talk into it ;-)

[Khandro]

Ooooooh!

[Gromit]

Wind and solar are intermittent and we know that and can predict it and plan for it.
If some dictator turns the gas off unexpectedly, Europe is knackered.
This year has proved that the UK's investment in renewables was very wise and astute.
Unfortunately recent Governments have stopped/slowed investment, and have also started to put obstacles in the way of new schemes. Hopefully Mr Sunak will take another look, and start to reinvest again.

[Gromit]

My remark about ‘obstacles’ above is out of date. Kwarteng recently and quietly did a huge u-turn, probably in response to the Russian threat to energy security.

// Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng today quietly lifted the effective ban on new onshore wind farms.

In his 'emergency Budget', which Mr Kwarteng dubbed a 'Growth Plan', the Chancellor vowed to 'unlock the potential of onshore wind'.

He revealed planning rules for onshore wind turbines would be brought 'in line' with other infrastructure to allow it to be 'deployed more easily in England'. //

25% of our electricity comes from wind annually. But the Government plan to increase that to 50% by 2030. Cheaper, cleaner and more secure.

[ZebuSanctuary]

// 25% of our electricity comes from wind... (cut)... 50% by 2030. Cheaper, cleaner and more secure. //

Indeed! To double the generated output in such a short time frame. Should we not be concerned about the cost implication?

[Gromit]

The private sector will build the additional 25gigawatt of capacity so the cost will be borne by them. And the profits. Wind is far cheaper than gas so the reduction in gas use will in itself be a saving. And our balance of payments will be improved when we import no energy from abroad.

[ZebuSanctuary]

^^^^^ Fair enough! ^^^^^ Impressive! ^^^^^

[ZebuSanctuary]

// 1.5-kW wind turbine will meet the needs of a home //

It is unlikely this ^^^ wind turbine would meet the needs of the home. Since most domestic kettles have an element in the range of 2 to 3 kW, this overload could cause irrepairable damage to the generator.

[Khandro]

Wind turbines work on a very simple principle: the wind turns the blades, which causes the axis to rotate, which is attached to a generator, which produces DC electricity, which is then converted to AC via an inverter that can then be passed on to power your home.

Wind turbines won't be cost-effective for every home. Much of this depends on how exposed the planned location for your turbine is and how windy the area is. To generate a profitable amount of energy, you'll need a wind speed of around six metres per second.

I've never been close to one, but I believe they aren't silent