Science A wind power stat that may surprise you.

**Rain Man** · 08-17-2012, 09:22 AM

At least, it surprised me.

The figure is a little misleading because it was apparently a short-term peak in the wee hours of the morning, but it's nonetheless quite impressive. I had no idea they were anywhere near that level, and I'm perhaps even more impressed that the annual average in Colorado (edit: from this provider, which is Colorado's largest) is 17 percent.

http://money.cnn.com/2012/08/06/news...dex.htm?iid=EL

Wind power hits 57% mark in Colorado
By Steve Hargreaves @CNNMoney August 6, 2012: 5:18 AM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- During the early morning hours of April 15, with a steady breeze blowing down Colorado's Front Range, the state's biggest utility set a U.S. record -- nearly 57% of the electricity being generated was coming from wind power.

As dawn came and the 1.4 million customers in Xcel Energy's service district began turning on the lights, toasters and other appliances, the utility's coal and natural gas-fired power plants ramped up production and brought wind's contribution back closer to its 2012 average of 17%.

Utilities have long been wary of placing too much finicky renewable power on the grid.

"A lot of utilities don't want to contract large amounts of wind because it's volatile," said Amy Grace, a wind analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance. "Anything over 25%, and utilities get nervous."

Colorado's overnight high-water mark demonstrated that utilities can indeed incorporate cleaner power sources into the mix.

It also provides hope that, under the right conditions and policies, wind will be able to provide a significantly larger share of the nation's power than its current 3% rate.

**Donger** · 08-17-2012, 09:27 AM

**Rain Man** · 08-17-2012, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Meh.

If it helps, they generate the wind using giant fans that are powered by oil and coal.

**Donger** · 08-17-2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

If it helps, they generate the wind using giant fans that are powered by oil and coal.

While "green" alternatives to fossil fuel generation are neat, they tend to cost a lot more "green" than fossil fuel generation. It's a shame that the article doesn't mention that.

bsp4444 · 08-17-2012, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

While "green" alternatives to fossil fuel generation are neat, they tend to cost a lot more "green" than fossil fuel generation. It's a shame that the article doesn't mention that.

What about current subsides to the oil industry? If those were removed, would we not be ona more level playing field?

**Donger** · 08-17-2012, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsp4444

What about current subsides to the oil industry? If those were removed, would we not be ona more level playing field?

We use very little petroleum in the generation of our electricity. So, no, it wouldn't.

bobbymitch · 08-17-2012, 09:44 AM

I'll be impressed when all government owned and leased buildings, including the White House, are powered by off-the grid power sources that do not have to rely upon any fossil fuel back-up options. That and when all government own and leased vehicles are non-fossil fuel powered. This includes the Presidental limos.

Then and only then will I believe that wind and solar power are "the" option. I see them as decent alternatives, but not the sole options of the future as so many want to believe.

Bump · 08-17-2012, 09:49 AM

Wind Power is really really bad. /republicans

I mean, the nations top priority is keeping the mega rich, rich and getting them richer. how is wind power going to contribute to that?

Dr. Johnny Fever · 08-17-2012, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bump

Wind Power is really really bad. /republicans

I mean, the nations top priority is keeping the mega rich, rich and getting them richer. how is wind power going to contribute to that?

Tax it?

**Donger** · 08-17-2012, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bump

Wind Power is really really bad. /republicans

I mean, the nations top priority is keeping the mega rich, rich and getting them richer. how is wind power going to contribute to that?

No, wind power (and other renewable sources) are just fine. They just happen to cost twice or more per kWh than does fossil-fuel generation.

Dante84 · 08-17-2012, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

No, wind power (and other renewable sources) are just fine. They just happen to cost twice or more per kWh than does fossil-fuel generation.

Infinite > Finite

Let's hope they find a way to make it affordable.

Braincase · 08-17-2012, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

No, wind power (and other renewable sources) are just fine. They just happen to cost twice or more per kWh than does fossil-fuel generation.

Not to mention the loss of lives due to "windlung" disease, and the ever present threat of sunmines collapsing, trapping and possibly killing the sunmine workers.

**Donger** · 08-17-2012, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braincase

Not to mention the loss of lives due to "windlung" disease, and the ever present threat of sunmines collapsing, trapping and possibly killing the sunmine workers.

Braincase · 08-17-2012, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Some things you can't put a $ on, unless you work in the insurance industry.

**cdcox** · 08-17-2012, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

No, wind power (and other renewable sources) are just fine. They just happen to cost twice or more per kWh than does fossil-fuel generation.

Before we make this comparison let's do the following:

1. require all middle eastern armed conflicts to be paid for in real time by a gasoline tax

2. require all "excess" healthcare bills associated with bad air quality be paid for by a coal tax

3. establish the economic impact of other environmental impacts (including climate change) and pay for those by a tax on the appropriate fossil fuel.

08-17-2012, 09:22 AM	Topic Starter
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $2828491 VARSITY	A wind power stat that may surprise you. At least, it surprised me. The figure is a little misleading because it was apparently a short-term peak in the wee hours of the morning, but it's nonetheless quite impressive. I had no idea they were anywhere near that level, and I'm perhaps even more impressed that the annual average in Colorado (edit: from this provider, which is Colorado's largest) is 17 percent. http://money.cnn.com/2012/08/06/news...dex.htm?iid=EL Wind power hits 57% mark in Colorado By Steve Hargreaves @CNNMoney August 6, 2012: 5:18 AM ET NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- During the early morning hours of April 15, with a steady breeze blowing down Colorado's Front Range, the state's biggest utility set a U.S. record -- nearly 57% of the electricity being generated was coming from wind power. As dawn came and the 1.4 million customers in Xcel Energy's service district began turning on the lights, toasters and other appliances, the utility's coal and natural gas-fired power plants ramped up production and brought wind's contribution back closer to its 2012 average of 17%. Utilities have long been wary of placing too much finicky renewable power on the grid. "A lot of utilities don't want to contract large amounts of wind because it's volatile," said Amy Grace, a wind analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance. "Anything over 25%, and utilities get nervous." Colorado's overnight high-water mark demonstrated that utilities can indeed incorporate cleaner power sources into the mix. It also provides hope that, under the right conditions and policies, wind will be able to provide a significantly larger share of the nation's power than its current 3% rate.
Posts: 141,828

08-17-2012, 09:27 AM	#2
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $9879900 VARSITY	Meh. __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
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08-17-2012, 09:44 AM	#7
bobbymitch Starter Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Midwest coast Casino cash: $9893512	I'll be impressed when all government owned and leased buildings, including the White House, are powered by off-the grid power sources that do not have to rely upon any fossil fuel back-up options. That and when all government own and leased vehicles are non-fossil fuel powered. This includes the Presidental limos. Then and only then will I believe that wind and solar power are "the" option. I see them as decent alternatives, but not the sole options of the future as so many want to believe. __________________ This is the place where brilliant minds assemble to willfully pool ignorance with questionable logic in order to reach absurd conclusions.
Posts: 655

08-17-2012, 09:49 AM	#8
Bump YOU take YOUR seat Join Date: Nov 2007 Casino cash: $1745105	Wind Power is really really bad. /republicans I mean, the nations top priority is keeping the mega rich, rich and getting them richer. how is wind power going to contribute to that? __________________
Posts: 32,751