Wind Power Redux

A report on the limitations of wind power in the United Kingdom and Europe was published in The Register last week here.

The report is discouraging. It concludes that the vagaries of wind in the UK and Europe are such that wind farms may effectively need to be structured as supplements to conventionally-powered electrical plants(gas-fired, because of the need for rapid startups). The necessary duplication makes such a system very expensive. Additionally, frequently starting up and shutting down gas-fired turbines causes excessive wear.

I take no joy from reporting this. I wish that all forms of alternative energy, especially wind and solar, were more practical. But denial is not the answer.