Comments on: The Problem With Wind Power http://bluecrabboulevard.com/2006/06/06/the-problem-with-wind-power/ Summum nec metuas diem, nec optes - Marcus Valerius Martialis Tue, 02 Aug 2011 22:27:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Gaius http://bluecrabboulevard.com/2006/06/06/the-problem-with-wind-power/comment-page-1/#comment-4345 Gaius Tue, 06 Jun 2006 21:03:54 +0000 http://bluecrabboulevard.com/2006/06/06/the-problem-with-wind-power/#comment-4345 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. 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.

]]> By: Black Jack http://bluecrabboulevard.com/2006/06/06/the-problem-with-wind-power/comment-page-1/#comment-4343 Black Jack Tue, 06 Jun 2006 20:55:12 +0000 http://bluecrabboulevard.com/2006/06/06/the-problem-with-wind-power/#comment-4343 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. 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.

]]>