How Less Became More: Wind, Power and Unintended Consequences
Wind energy promises a clean, renewable resource that uses no fossil fuel and generates zero emissions. Careful examination of the data suggests that the numbers do not add up as expected.
The “must take” provisions of Colorado’s Renewable Portfolio Standard require that other sources of generation, such as coal plants, must be “cycled” to accommodate wind power. This cycling makes coal generating units operate much less efficiently…so inefficiently, that these units produce significantly greater emissions.
Read more about the Bentek Energy study that shows how the required use of wind energy actually increases greenhouse gas emissions:
Executive Summary (PDF)
Study (PDF)
Wind Integration Realities Colorado (MasterResource)
Wind Integration Realities Texas (MasterResource)
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