Monday, March 25, 2013

thar she blows

Wind at 09:00 eastern.  Wind energy opponents love to talk about the wind going calm without warning.  Forecasting how much snow will fall, or the chance of rain is very difficult.  Forecasting wind is not, if you've ever seen an isobar chart you know where the wind is going to blow hard for the next few hours.  Likewise in the display of current wind it's safe bet to say from the rockies to the Atlantic the wind looks reliable for the next several hours.  Wind farms are in fact rarely caught in the myth promoted.
Starting in the next few weeks, transmission line operators will be selling use of their piece of the grid in 15 minute blocks.  Currently it's hourly.  Following a calm wind period this will let wind (and solar) suppliers get on the grid sooner when the air moves, letting utilities "back down" their coal plants sooner.

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