In amongst the very partial comments you here about winds obvious variability, few point out that onshore wind also has great benefits which cannot be wished away. People frequently point out occasions when there isn't much wind power and say how we need other fuels. What they don't mention is the other half of the coin - how often wind power saves the day by stepping in when power plant break down and power would otherwise be very expensive.
There was a neat exchange on this point in the House of Commons on Jan 18th:
Nigel Adams: I am very grateful. I apologise to my right hon. Friend the Member for Hitchin and Harpenden (Mr Lilley), who is far more senior than I am.
The hon. Gentleman talks of how cheap onshore wind is as a renewable. Does he not accept that it must be backed up by fossil fuels, which are not so cheap? If the full system cost of onshore wind is taken into consideration, it is one of the least affordable renewable technologies that we have.
Callum McCaig: So we are backing up the cheap renewables with fossil fuels that are not so cheap, and the solution to that is to use the fossil fuels that are not so cheap all the time? That sum does not quite add up. I am not sure that I have worked out the equation.
See Jan 18th debate column 1170 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm160118/debtext/160118-0002.htm
Also see my earlier post at http://realfeed-intariffs.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/the-untold-story-of-how-windfarms-help.html
Also see my earlier post at http://realfeed-intariffs.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/the-untold-story-of-how-windfarms-help.html
0 comments:
Post a Comment