Windmills dismal performance (solar panel, installation, economy, trees)

[glenncz]

Take a look at the wind output charts here, a picture tells a thousand words. How could a coal power plant possibly follow the wind around all day, increasing and decreasing the output, and at the same time, increasing and decreasing the thermal fire to save "energy". I don't think so. PJM only gives 13% capacity to a wind turbine. So put up 50 1.5MW turbines = 75 MW and the will give it a value of about 10 MW, of course that is after we spend $100 million dollars on it, mostly taxpayers money for our childrens debt inheritance.

So let's tear up 4 acres per turbine or 200 acres and ruin the view for miles around, to get 1/100th the real output of a convential coal or nuclear plant. (in most cases much less than 1/100th).

Could someone tell me how many acres are destroyed for coal mining and how much coal is there. Meaning if we destroy 400 acres, temporarily, does that give us enough coal to run a city, a county or half a state for a year? And when we are done with the dirty work, we can plant some grass and brush and in 30 years it will look and be just fine.

I live in Pennsylvania and grew up with reminents of strip mines all around me. It has taken a while, but it is amazing how forests have naturally regrown right in the coal over the years.

glenn @ nofreewind.com

[vec101]

Oh great, some of our tax dollars to subsidize green energy will go into the pockets of foreign companies. I'd rather keep it all here.

Aside from support in the Old World, the European green energy sector may be able to take advantage of an unexpected new source of backing: the United States. President-elect Barack Obama is expected to focus some of his estimated $700 billion stimulus package (BusinessWeek, 11/26/08) on eco-friendly businesses. Denmark's Vestas, for example, already manufactures wind turbines in the U.S. and could be well placed to profit from government investment in clean technology. Iberian renewable energy producers Iberdrola Renovables (EBER.F) and EDP Renovaveis (EDPR.LS)—already America's second- and third-largest wind energy producers, respectively (BusinessWeek.com, 10/28/08)—similarly stand to benefit from federal assistance for renewables http://news.tnanytime.org/energy/node/1568

[GregW]

The European businesses saw the opportunity, made the investment in R&D and manufacturing and are now reaping the profits. I though that was how capitalist business worked.

[my54ford]

Originally Posted by vec101

Oh great, some of our tax dollars to subsidize green energy will go into the pockets of foreign companies. I'd rather keep it all here.

If you like that here's another eye opener for you............

EnXco is on of the leaders in wind farms in the country.
enXco's success is the result of our extensive experience

Since 2002, enXco has been an affiliate of EdF Energies Nouvelles (formerly SIIF Energies). EdF Energies Nouvelles is a member of the EdF (Électricité de France) Group, with the charter of becoming a world leader in renewable energy.

I should not have to remind anyone that the majority of Frances electricity comes form nuclear power yet they happly take our money and put it in the bank.. I bet the laugh the whole way there

In France, as of 2002[update], Électricité de France (EDF) — the country's main electricity generation and distribution company — manages the country's 59 nuclear power plants. As of 2008[update], these plants produce 87.5% of both EDF's and France's electrical power production (of which much is exported),[1] making EDF the world leader in production of nuclear power by percentage. In 2004, 425.8 TWh out of the country's total production of 540.6 TWh was from nuclear power (78.8%).[1]

[vec101]

Originally Posted by my54ford

If you like that here's another eye opener for you............
EnXco is on of the leaders in wind farms in the country.
enXco's success is the result of our extensive experience

I should not have to remind anyone that the majority of Frances electricity comes form nuclear power yet they happly take our money and put it in the bank.. I bet the laugh the whole way there

Oh just lovely Did not know that.

Caught a show on TV today about how environmental groups in the areas of large proposed windmill farms are objecting to the farms being built near/in their "nature lands". I got tickled for a number of reason - including the fact that when I posted a thread about the land mass required for windmills I was called anti-green.

[vec101]

I vote for this idea:

Windmills Atop NYC Bridges, Buildings?
FOXNews.com - Windmills Atop NYC Bridges, Buildings? - America's News HQ

[vec101]

Here's the video about envirnomentalists objecting to windmills in their "nature" area: Costly Issue - FOXNews.com

[GregW]

You cannot consider the French to be less than excellent engineers’ and power systems builders. They all try to be as good as Eiffel.

[rlchurch]

Originally Posted by GregW

You cannot consider the French to be less than excellent engineers’ and power systems builders. They all try to be as good as Eiffel.

AREVA is building a plant in Finalnd. The latest progress report I have is that after 42 months of construction it is 37 months behind schedule. I do agree that the French are very good at operating nuclear. The question is, can anyone build one?

[GregW]

What type of plant is being built in Finland? That seems to be quite a delay by any standards.

I am an environmental scientist and I get very annoyed by "greens" being more concerned with the changes to "their" paradises without any concern for the rest of society. That gives folks the impression that all environmentalists are just spoiled brats. I am sick of "no hydro on my fishing stream", "no windmills in my view", and “no solar in my pristine desert “,” no nothing in ‘my’ backyard. Get real people the rest of us live here too and you do not own everything. Not only are those reactions annoying but the development of facilities to generate energy to create a better life for all morally more important than conserving your essentially private playgrounds.