Perhaps of most concern is that there were 257 hrs (over 10 days in total) when the wind power output was zero – and the months of most ZERO hours are the coldest months when freezing temperatures are happening. So the 2017 data confirms the earlier 2012 data – meaning that no matter how many wind farms are built, there will always be over 200 hours of ZERO wind power. From an atmospheric viewpoint, whenever there are recurring periods of prolonged stable high pressure (such as frigid winter weather or summer heat waves) when there is also next to no wind – leading to no (or very low) wind power.
Ivan Purdy, P.eng, (retired)
At last, an engineer with nothing to lose speaks up about the farce that is green power. If you want a stable grid, you can’t produce steady power day or night with either wind or solar, even on the Prairies where the wind is considered a constant and the winters are cold. Thanks, Mr. Purdy, for pointing out the facts, and taking a kick at the unicorn.
These things were never meant to produce electrical power.
They were meant to produce political power, pure and simple. They don’t need to rotate to do that, they just need to be there.
Political power is measured in units of bullshit per sentence called Trudeaus. One Trudeau is the amount of BS needed to rape one girl at a Vancouver school and say it was tutoring, 10 Trudeaus gets you an NDA with the family of that girl.
However the unit doesn’t have equal value everywhere, in Ottawa there is significant demand for Trudeaus whereas in the west of Canada people gladly send Trudeaus packing to be disposed of. A Trudeau can’t be recycled, as it is only Bullshit and not worth anything to anyone with sense.
Should correct the know to no.
Still good info … I hear that solar works poorly at night 😉
Just imagine how many more birds and bats those things would kill if they spun 24 hours a day.
They should use electric motors to spin those things when there’s no wind.
Actually they do, to prevent the bearings developing a flat spot, and to maintain full lubrication.
I keep hearing that, but I’ve never actually seen it. When the wind is blowing, they are motionless.
LOL
GREAT!
Not mentioned: they also don’t work when the wind is too strong (which it frequently is in the Pincher Creek area). They can’t handle the rotational force, so the blades are feathered (if they have adjustable pitch) and then they’re locked in place until the wind calms down.
I was amazed, during my last trip to Europe (pre-pandemic), at how many turbines along the Atlantic and North Sea coasts were locked; locals told me it was always like that somewhere along those coasts.
They all have adjustable blade pitch. That’s how they control rotational speed and torque.
But they’re still a monument to ignorance.
And the Notleyites will say when the wind doesn’t blow we’ll use batteries.
Forgetting that her gang green friends have a long history of opposing mines.
Perhaps we need a demonstration on a city scale. Let’s renewable-ise Edmonton.
Edmonton can go 100% wind and solar.
Edmonton rate payers will pay for the switch, after all the NDP assure use wind and solar are cheaper than fossil fuels. So even with the capital cost included Edmonton should save money!
Also isolate Edmonton’s new electric system from the rest of Alberta. Thus it will be a true green electricity test.
Give me time to get the triple-fuel Generac® installed first.
The correct city to try this in is Ottawa, as they are responsible for the renewable madness.
The average politician or activist who thinks more wind and solar are a viable energy supply doesn’t understand the concept that if you don’t have firewood, installing another three wood stoves won’t keep you warm during a cold January night.
Nick
That right there is a most appropriate analogy…Bang on.!!
Nick for the win!
Nicely done.
I always refer to it as the infinity and beyond tactic.
An infinite number of wind turbines x zero wind = zero electricity.
I did my PhD studies at Queen’s during the early 1980s, and noticed how well-to-do the undergraduate students were. I taught first-year economics to students who would beep “hello” in their sports cars, passing me by on my one-speed CCM bike.
That’s nothing compared to the number of hours a month our politicians don’t work.
Let’s not forget that the balsa wood used as the substrate to form the blades is being used up around the world at an alarming rate….as are vast tracts of forest to manufacture pellets to burn for heat…..madness