"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message
...

In article ,
Martin writes:
| On 19 Jan 2007 03:04:31 -0800, "La Puce" wrote:
|
| It's my pleasure. This Christmas, wind turbines in the UK generated
| sufficient electricity to meet the needs of over a million households
| (BWEA source). It's the fastest growing energy source world wide, with
| an average annual growth rate of 23% over the last 15 years. I think
| it's something to celebrate )
|
| I think you shouldn;t believe the crap the salesmen publish.
|
| Wait until the summer when there isn't enough wind for weeks.

In the UK? Don't be ridiculous. They are designed to start generating
at quite low speeds, and only the south east has calm conditions for
very long. Look at the statistics.

I have seen a couple of respectable papers on this, and (if I recall)
they indicated that calm conditions over the whole UK can be expected
for a day or so every 50 years. They also indicated that it would be
rare for the system as a whole to drop below (if I recall) 30% of
capacity. Yes, that means over-engineering by a factor of 3 and having
alternative methods (such as pumped water, gas-fired or whatever).

And then there are wave and tide generators, which are also viable,
too. Again, not without downsides, but with a lot of advantages.

| How much has been generated in the last 8 days?

Dunno. The figures would be interesting.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Wind turbines like modern ships have variable pitch props so will have
reduced pitch before winds reached gale force. the effect is that they start
contributing at relatively low wind speeds and achieve maximum output in
conditions we would describe as breezy rather than gale force. the main
issue seems to be their cost v power output, its an argument I can not see
as if you made other sources remove all carbon they would be worse I am
sure.
I get great pleasure in watching the farmers harvesting bulbs, spuds or
watching sheep grazing under the spinning blades and knowing they are
helping with Cornwall's energy consumption :~)
--
Charlie, gardening in Cornwall.
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of National Plant Collections of Clematis viticella (cvs) and
Lapageria rosea