An interesting report on the realities of the effects of large-scale
weather patterns on wind power generation summarised (in Lewis Page's
usual distinctive style, but really none the worse for that) over on
The Register:

www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/03/wind_power_needs_dirty_pricey_gas_backup_report/

(watch the link wrap)

Nothing obvious to suggest to me as an non-expert that this is other
than a reasonably straightforward scientific analysis of the issues,
but so often these articles can prove to be a little partisan.

JGD

John Dann wrote:
> An interesting report on the realities of the effects of large-scale
> weather patterns on wind power generation summarised (in Lewis Page's
> usual distinctive style, but really none the worse for that) over on
> The Register:
> 
> www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/03/wind_power_needs_dirty_pricey_gas_backup_report/
> 
> (watch the link wrap)
> 
> Nothing obvious to suggest to me as an non-expert that this is other
> than a reasonably straightforward scientific analysis of the issues,
> but so often these articles can prove to be a little partisan.

I don't think he is being all that partisan. The basics are pretty well 
correct. In some of our winter high pressure cold snaps there is little 
or no wind. And wind farm output scales as the cube of the windspeed (up 
to some limit where they have to be feathered for their own protection).

When there is no wind something else must cover the peak load.

I would be a lot happier with windpower if I didn't regularly drive past 
such a farm where typically 2 out of 3 are permanently out of service. 
It can play its part for local generation in the right places NIMBYs 
notwithstanding. Way better than PhotoVoltaic at our latitude...

Regards,
Martin Brown
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