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Brownedoff/lapogus/SandyS
On Tuesday, I asked Phillip Bratby for his view on that now “under maintenance” Energy consumption in wind facilities article. I noted that, after listing various ways in which wind turbines can consume electricity (I wish I’d kept a copy), the author asks this:
Could it be that at times each turbine consumes more than 50% of its rated capacity in its own operation?! If so, the plant as a whole -- which may produce only 25% of its rated capacity annually -- would be using (for free!) twice as much electricity as it produces and sells. An unlikely situation perhaps, but the industry doesn't publicize any data that proves otherwise; incoming power is apparently not normally recorded.
I asked Phillip: surely that can't be true - or can it?
His reply:
I've tried unsuccessfully to determine all the energy consuumption sources of wind turbines and whether it is metered in any way. The best estimate that I could come up with was that for a Vestas 3MW turbine operating at a capacity factor of 25%, 10% of the total electricity generated (claimed for RO subsidy) would be consumed by the turbine.
Robin Guenier
Feb 20, 2013 at 8:23 PM | SandyS
Just tried your link but they must not want the info. promulgated for some reason, maybe.
Sorry! We're under maintenance.
We are making some updates to the site. We'll be back soon, thanks for your patience.
I will bookmark it and try again later.
Brownedoff
Feb 20, 2013 at 8:57 PM | lapogus
Ooops:
lapogus
20 February 2013 8:47pm
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn't abide by our community standards. Replies may also be deleted.
Would you mind putting the comment here so that we can see wot got up their hooters?
Brownedoff
SandyS - ta for the link to the page on the power consumption of wind turbines. I had not see it before. Irrc Philip Bratby has some similar details for one of the older turbines used in Europe.
On a different subject I just came across this - a Guardian photo-essay on the shock and horror of climate change - Joel Sternfeld's best photographs – when climate change sinks in. Truth be told there is not much shock and horror. I just left a comment which seems to have got through moderation.
lapogus
@Brownedoff/Lapogus/Jamesp
Re windturbines consuming power from yesterday, I came across this whilst looking at something unrelated. This is an American site but I guess it holds true for all wind turbines. Some of the information seems to have been obtained from Vesta the Danish wind turbine manufacturer. Also mentions an additional problem of idle blades warping in the sun, presumably during hot summer days with blocking highs and no wind.
http://www.windtaskforce.org/profiles/blogs/so-called-wind-farms-dominate-list-of-bangor-hydro-s-top-electric
SandyS
I heard today of a planning appeal for a 18m (so only a little one) wind turbine that was rejected by the planning inspector on the grounds that it disturbed the amenity of the local cricket club. This was in West Yorkshire. No doubt the players are all aspiring Yorkshire (and England?) cricketers, so must not be distracted while playing. Loved it! [My hoots of joy were not shared by all the other people in the room unfortunately.]
Grumpy
Feb 19, 2013 at 11:59 AM | lapogus
Shame you didn't get a screen capture - exactly the sort of thing I enjoy tormenting local Gweenies promoting a local wind farm with :-)
Brownedoff
absolutely ... I know that quite a few Spaniards choose to wear sunglasses after dark and that some Spanish solar farms were also basking profitably in the night-time sun / moonlight.
tomo
Energy consumption in wind facilities
Here's another link to that article.