Author Topic: Wind Energy In America Is In Trouble  (Read 778 times)

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Offline rangerrebew

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Wind Energy In America Is In Trouble
« on: January 14, 2025, 06:45:02 am »
Wind Energy In America Is In Trouble
 
In a recent article on Bloomberg, the editors pointed out that the far right on the political spectrum  in Germany will reject wind energy as a form of energy they will not support. The article went on to say this is similar to plans by The Trump Administration. Writing about the plans, the editors added, “The comments echo US President-elect Donald Trump, who has long railed against the technology and said last week he wanted no new windmills built once he takes office.” Wind energy in the US may have its best days behind it.
 
*Can Wind Energy Work?

*Global Wind Energy Challenges

*Violent Weather And Wind

Wind energy may indeed be disposable. It is used to create 10% of America’s electricity. Nuclear is about the same. Fossil fuels remain at about 60%. The political attitude of the new administration means that fossil fuel powered plants may be the primary drivers of electricity generation for decades. If so, the need for wind drops considerably.

As more conversations turn to what sources will be used for AI electricity needs, solar is usually among the primary options, This is certainly true with the mega tech companies which include Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon.  Wind is rarely targeted as one of the essential green technologies.

Wind Doesn’t Work

https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/wind-energy-in-america-is-in-trouble/ar-BB1rnNz5?ocid=widgetonlockscreen&cvid=bdc1aa6304174bd2b70bd5841aa68e22&ei=120
The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize. But as it is easy to foresee that, from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth.  George Washington - Farewell Address

Offline Smokin Joe

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Re: Wind Energy In America Is In Trouble
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2025, 07:06:20 am »
Server farms/data centers are being located at higher latitudes, for a couple of reasons.

One, the temperatures on balance are colder, which means it costs less to keep the mountains of electronics cool. In the right parts of the country, land is cheaper, and the population is spread out enough the noise of the cooling setup has fewer neighbors to bother.

But Solar? There is a reason solar is done primarily in warmer climates, which are warmer because the sun's energy is more easily absorbed at the lower incidence angles found closer to the equator. Unfortunately, that means the cooling costs for the electronics are higher, too. Where solar (photovoltaics) is most likely to produce electricity, it will produce heat, too, so the one works against the other, and power is used just to keep the widgets cool enough to operate.
Wind may be more reliable in some areas. I recall maybe a handful of calm  days in the last year, but they do happen, even here. Even then, do you want that 'data center' running on gensets or suddenly demanding line power from other sources when the wind quits blowing? Sometimes it's warm out (90+) sometimes, it's cold (-35), but both times, people are depending on that power just to stay alive.
Data can be sent over long distances with minimal loss, and cheaply.
Electricity, not so much.
Oddly enough, states with colder temperatures, thinner populations, and the means to generate electricity via coal, natural gas, or oil, are states which produce all three more traditional forms of energy.
How God must weep at humans' folly! Stand fast! God knows what he is doing!
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Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.

C S Lewis