norseman
25-10-2011, 09:49 AM
I have long argued that wind power is a definite no-no as a sustainable resource. The power density is low, it is vastly expensive, environmentally damaging, and just plain pig-ugly ! I look out of my window towards the beautiful Durham Fells and six monstrosities, i.e. wind turbines, intrude.
Now, I dare say that some will argue that I am ignoring the benefits of wind power. OK. Some figures just released about cost per kilowatt/hour.
America - [Energy Dept] Gas generated power = 66 cents/Mwatt/hour
Off-shore wind farms = $2.43/Mwatt/hour
UK. Gas generated = 60 pence/Mwatt/hour
Wind = 150 pence/Mwatt/hour
This has been brought to up by the discovery of a massive new gas field [ 200 trillion cubic feet] in shale beds on the West coast on England. ON LAND, not 100's feet under the sea. The geological strata goes all the way up to Scotland with a similar one running from the Midlands to the South Coast. So, we not only have huge reserves of coal, but also massive reserves of gas.
Serious rethink needed before we go nuclear !
Now, I dare say that some will argue that I am ignoring the benefits of wind power. OK. Some figures just released about cost per kilowatt/hour.
America - [Energy Dept] Gas generated power = 66 cents/Mwatt/hour
Off-shore wind farms = $2.43/Mwatt/hour
UK. Gas generated = 60 pence/Mwatt/hour
Wind = 150 pence/Mwatt/hour
This has been brought to up by the discovery of a massive new gas field [ 200 trillion cubic feet] in shale beds on the West coast on England. ON LAND, not 100's feet under the sea. The geological strata goes all the way up to Scotland with a similar one running from the Midlands to the South Coast. So, we not only have huge reserves of coal, but also massive reserves of gas.
Serious rethink needed before we go nuclear !