The Problem With Wind Power
The New York Times profiles an ardent environmentalist who is also an ardent opponent of wind power.
OAKLAND, Md. — Dan Boone has no doubt that his crusade against wind energy is the right way to protect the Allegheny highlands he loves. Let other environmentalists call him deluded at best, traitorous at worst. He remains undeterred.
For four years or more, Mr. Boone has traveled across the mid-Atlantic to make every argument he can muster against local wind-power projects: they kill birds and bats; they are too noisy; they are inefficient, making no more than a symbolic contribution to energy needs.
It's an interesting read. Since a wind energy article gives me a chance to dust this old post off, I look forward to these.
UPDATE: A Blog For All notices the NIMBY aspect.
By Black Jack, Tuesday, 6 June , 2006 @ 2:55 pm
There are quite a few wind farms in California, you can see them from the freeways. Some have been here for at least 15-20 years. The older ones were built back when tax breaks were the main motivation. Energy generation wasn’t cost effective because the technology wasn’t yet mature and the machines themselves were inefficient. But, an investor could buy shares in a wind farm, take a substantial loss, and still come out way ahead sheltering income from other sources.
It was a scam, a nice little tax shelter for wealthy investors, everyone was onboard, environmentalists coud feel good about themselves, investors loved it, salesmen collected fat commissions, guys who built and maintained the equipment had nice jobs, and tax payers picked up the tab.
Today, the technology is better but the tax incentives are long gone. Unless the new equipment can generate enough electricity to pay the bills and turn a profit, it’s going to be a big disappointment for everyone who gets involved.
By Gaius, Tuesday, 6 June , 2006 @ 3:03 pm
The real problem is the reliability. You have to keep a 100%backup online at all times in case the wind units drop off. The “savings” are illusory.