This latest surprise for global energy activists just arrived in the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers on line journal, the IEEE Spectrum.
Quite simply, the IEEE cites a new report from France that indicates average wind speeds around the Northern Hemisphere are dropping.
Because wind energy varies as the square of the wind speed, when that speed drops even a small amount, the ability to extract energy from the wind drops much more. The article indicates new wind farms in China may produce 14 percent less than the original designs anticipated due to anticipated further wind speed decays.
Of course, experts have already indicated to me that Kentucky has few sites suitable for economical wind farm operations in the first place. So, Kentucky is already left out of this much hyped answer to our energy needs.
Now, it looks like the wind energy answer for a lot of other areas could be getting blown away, as well.
Maybe coal won’t be dead, after all.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Taking the wind out of a great hope for green energy
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Let coal compete with hemp. Charcoal from hemp can compete with coal.
The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) is a waste of government funds and a failure.
Including hemp in the CSA is in conflict with Art I, Sec 8, Cl 8 of the Constitution that Congress shall promote the progress of science and useful arts.
The CSA stifles any progress in science and useful arts that pertain to hemp. Over 50,000 products can be made from hemp including charcoal that can replace coal, and cancer cures.
Let coal complete with hemp. Or is that too capitalistic for you?
Post a Comment