Last December some electrical power generation information for the Wonthaggi wind farm came my way. The information provides the power produced, or used, each hour for each of the 6 turbines between 1 June 06 and 22 June 06. Although it is for a limited period it illustrates, particularly when graphed, where the problem lies with wind power. That is, because it is dependent on wind availability and strength, the power produced is variable and unpredictable, requiring that some other electric power source be available at short notice to supplement what a wind farm produces.

Last December some electrical power generation information for the Wonthaggi wind farm came my way.  The information provides the power produced, or used, each hour for each of the 6 turbines between 1 June 06 and 22 June 06.  Although it is for a limited period it illustrates, particularly when graphed, where the problem lies with wind power.  That is, because it is dependent on wind availability and strength, the power produced is variable and unpredictable, requiring that some other electric power source be available at short notice to supplement what a wind farm produces.
 
In addition to the steep rises and falls in electric power production the information reveals there are periods of time when the power production is negative.  That is, the power is going in the reverse direction or more simply the wind farm is drawing off power from the electricity power grid.   Electric power is required to start the turbines turning in light air and to rotate the nacelles and if no power is being generated by any of the turbines then this is drawn from the electric power grid.   In June you may have had your electric heater on and perhaps were cooking breakfast or dinner the same time as the wind turbines at Wonthaggi were drawing power.
 
 

When the State Government approved the Wonthaggi wind farm it was talking about the 12 megawatt of installed power supplying 6,500 homes.   This is clearly not possible without a substantial backup supply and that backup would be coal fired power.  Ensuring an even delivery of electric power using coal fired power would mean a higher net CO2 production. 
 
I think it would be interesting to compare the actual overall CO2 saving between solar hot water services and wind power.  Solar hot water service water tanks act as a sort of battery that can collect and deal with the variation in solar radiation over the day.  The time between the end of collection of solar radiation for the day and the need to do the required off-peak boost is about 6-9 hours which means the predictable supplementary power is more easily managed, resulting in less CO2 production.
 
The things I like about solar hot water services are that: it is time proven technology, it is a home grown Australian technology, it eases the load on the power grid and it doesn't kill birds and bats. 
 
 

 
The above sign can be purchased for $10.00 from the Tarwin Valley Coast Guardians or from the Take-Away at Tarwin Lower.
 
This Australia day think about supporting Australian industries and the protection of Australian heritage-our wildlife and landscapes.
 
If you would like any scientific articles on the difficulty with the intermittency of wind power please contact me.
 
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