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One of the bigger issues with wind energy (solar also) that this solution doesn't address is the distribution. These energy sources don't have consistent output
by jemofthewest 12y ago
One of the bigger issues with wind energy (solar also) that this solution doesn't address is the distribution. These energy sources don't have consistent output, and definitely do not match peak requirements. In other words, at times they will produce far more than needed and others far less. The solution to this could be smart grids and energy storage, neither of which are really at a feasible point at scale yet. But we're getting there.
- beat 12y agoBaseline + peak load grids is a much more complex problem. But that said, it doesn't mean wind isn't helpful or useful - it just means some grid design change. Consider this - any energy captured from wind can be stored, at some known percentage of loss due to thermal and other inefficiencies. Heck, wind a spring with it! This is going to be less efficient, but not orders of magnitude so - and it still keeps us on clean and relatively inexpensive wind, as opposed to dirty and increasingly expensive fossil fuels.