In article , BAC
writes
"Janet Baraclough" wrote in message
...
The message
from contains these words:
In Oz they have become aware of the unsolved problem of wind farms
producing output when it can't be used and not producing output when
it is needed, just as the Danes have after both have invested a vast
amount in wind farms. UK next?
The UK has a national power grid and high population density so there
isn't any problem of UK windfarms producing surplus power that can't be
used; they just feed it into the grid.
Just feeding it into the grid doesn't necessarily mean it gets put to any
actual or practical use, though. Distance between point of input to the grid
and point of use is still a factor, because of losses associated with Joule
heating, so generating facilities located re,otely from centres of heavy
demand are relatively inefficient in meeting that demand. Further,
additional power input to the grid at times when supply already exceeds
demand is still wasted.
Granted, those aren't problems to the wind turbine operators as long as the
grid is obliged to accept energy input from them whether or not needed
locally at the time.
There is another solution, given a National Grid - accept energy from
sources which can't be easily turned on and off, and not from those
which can. It's unlikely that wind power will provide too much
electricity by itself in the forseeable future, even at times of low
demand.
--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"