Over the weekend a new study by European energy experts announced wind energy is now causing the price of all energy to go down in Texas, some other states, and in Europe. This is on a direct collision course with coal and natural gas. If alternatives undercut traditional sources those companies will cease to grow, at least in their current form. The cost per Kw delivered in the overall make wind approximately the same with fossil fuel. Up front costs are higher for wind (which I find hard to believe) but long term production costs are very low, almost free, and there's the damage to the economics of fossil fuel generated power, this is why Koch and many others are hammering the public with feel good adverts with the myth of clean fossil fuels. Add to that the recent study showing the fossil fuel industry overstates how many people work for them, alternative energy seems to be a better employer, and healthier.
Fringe:
ReplyDeletePerhaps the wind turbines could generate electricity using the vast amount of hot air emitted by the defenders of fossil fuels.
There should also be a way to harness the vitriol of the Tea Party. ; )
ReplyDeleteWind could be even bigger if the politicians don't kowtow to their donors. Thanks for posting this pic and the info along with it.
ReplyDeleteWhit and Nac, see the following which may infact reflect the hot air and vitriol as an accelerant:
ReplyDeleteAWEA figures show that the average wind PPAs are now being priced at about 6 cents per kilowatt-hour, the same price for energy procurements from a combined cycle natural gas plant. The group says wind is actually about 2 cents cheaper than coal-fired electricity, and more projects were financed through debt arrangements than tax equity structures last year, a possible sign that wind deals are winning more mainstream acceptance from Wall Street’s banks….
Skinny, here, above, is more.
Additionally, wind and solar can usually be installed in months, or less than a year of being ordered. This is very desirable for investors and wall street/bankers. Make the agreement, see the results. Unlike coal which takes 3 years to build a plant and Natural gas takes from 1 to 2 years, who knows what better investments could be available in that time instead of having the money tied up waiting for construction.
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