AndyH said:
With respect Matt, your opinion seems to be from a perspective of 'that's the way we've always done that', and 'any wind conversation must be about McMansions on a 1920's grid.' I know people that are completely off-grid with very small wind (100-500W) and PV. And it works GREAT! Oddly enough, by designing-in efficiency and using the planet instead of fighting it, we just don't need as much electricity as we might think. I just bought PV for my 'retirement V2.0' off-grid house this month. Only needed 8 panels (~1700W) but bought 10 anyway.
The small wind turbine going together in the garage will be a bonus. I lived out of this country for a bit over 8 years -
And with respect Andy the problem with off the grid wind and solar is you need batteries, and batteries make the system extremely expensive compared to traditional methods of power. If you are already attached to the grid, disconnecting and installing such as system will most likely never pay for itself. Now in the middle of nowhere that is another story....
I don't think just because it has always been done that way means we have to keep doing it. But something has to give, people keep clamoring for green power but no one will let the utilities build the power lines to deal with the intermittent nature of the solar and wind panels, and they won't let the utilities raise their rates to pay for the solar or wind, which right now are more expensive then the fossil fuel solution, and they won't even let them build some solar plants because it will block the light from the desert floor.
On the flip side (and related to this threads original subject) If we had more pumped storage facilities that could help level out the wild swings of the wind power then it would be a much more stable system. I think it is an ideal and rather simple way to store the power, sure it is not the most efficient, but it would allow much more green power to be use IMO. Unfortunately Pumped storage projects will be more then likely limited to small projects in the future due to "environmental issues".
Also I think everyone should have solar on their roofs, I think that would help tremendously, but like it or not when it is blazing hot outside, no wind is blowing, and the grid is at peak load, guess what... solar panels start losing their efficiency and putting out less power.
http://www.reuk.co.uk/Effect-of-Temperature-on-Solar-Panels.htm
My problem is with you claiming the wind power on it's own can support an island with nothing else, it can't. As I stated before balance is the key, and understanding the underlying problems with certain renewable energy's, not just spewing out the wind/solar can save us from the evil fossil fuels.
AndyH said:
it's amazing that that world doesn't start and/or stop at either the California or US border. And no - we do not always do things the 'best' way on this side of either 'pond.'
As for me apparently not being able to see out side of California or the USA, that is a piss poor argument my friend, I won't knock where you live because that has no bearing on this.... I argue based on facts and try to back it up with sources, not wish-washy statements about where someone lives...
-Matt
PS: I work as a power systems operator for a utility, I operate this stuff daily, it is my job to run the grid reliably and efficiently. It is also my job to tell the engineers that they were wrong about a lot of stuff that they calculate and model, real life tends to be much harsher then an engineers imagination.