A DISGRACE AND ATTACK ON THE PEOPLE OF MAINE: Legislature approves new power lines from northern Maine to New England - a gift to the old crew from First Wind

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Comment by Willem Post on June 15, 2023 at 10:39am

IRELAND FUEL AND CO2 REDUCTIONS DUE TO WIND ENERGY LESS THAN CLAIMED    

https://www.windtaskforce.org/profiles/blogs/fuel-and-co2-reduction...

The variable outputs of heavily-subsidized wind and solar are totally unusable, could not be fed into the grid, without the presence of a fleet of quick-reacting power plants, such as CCGTs, to counteract to ups and downs of these outputs, on a less than minute-by-minute basis, 24/7/365, year after year.

 

The more wind and solar systems tied to the grid, the larger the fleet of counteracting plants, that need to fueled, staffed, kept in good-working order. Such a fleet costs many c/kWh to own and operate.

 

Heavily-subsidized wind and solar are a black hole money pit, from day one, i.e., never profitable, even at low penetration levels, on an A-to-Z, mine-to-waste-dump, basis.

 

A black hole getting wider and deeper, as more wind and solar are added to the grid.

 

Curtailments are a feature of wind and solar on the grid

 

The more wind and solar tied to the grid, the greater, and more frequent, the curtailments.

This can be readily analyzed, and predicted, using standard 15-minute grid operating data, and daily demand curves, and weather data

 

Wind and Solar Add Inefficiencies to the Entire Grid

 

Wind proponents often claim one kWh of clean wind generation displaces one kWh of dirty fossil fuel generation, which is true.

However, the inefficiencies introduced into the electrical system by variable, intermittent wind, results in wind being less effective at reducing CO2 than claimed.

The more wind percent on the grid, the more the inefficiencies.

Ireland’s Power System

 

Eirgrid, the operator of the grid, publishes ¼-hour data regarding CO2 emissions, wind electricity production, fuel consumption and total electricity generation.

 

Drs. Udo and Wheatley made several analyses, based on the operating data of the Irish grid in 2012 and earlier, that show the effectiveness of CO2 emission reduction is decreasing with increasing annual wind electricity percentages on the grid.

 

The Wheatley Study of the Irish Grid; A Devastating Verdict Against Wind (and Solar)

 

Wind energy CO2 reduction effectiveness = (CO2 intensity, metric ton/MWh, with 17% wind)/(CO2 intensity, with no wind) = (0.279, with 17% wind)/(0.530, with no wind) = 0.526, based on ¼-hour, operating data of each power plant connected to the Irish grid, as collected by SEMO. 

Each power plant has a performance curve of fuel used, Btu, vs electricity produced.

That performance curve is determined from plant test operation.

Thus, the fuel used and electricity produced are known for each 1/4-hour, for each power plant

More and more annual wind percent on the grid leads to less and less annual CO2 reduction effectiveness, i.e., the 0.526 gets smaller and smaller
https://www.windtaskforce.org/profiles/blogs/the-potential-pitfalls...

 

During the Early Days Ireland Had an Island Grid

 

Ireland had an island grid, with a low-capacity, MW, transmission connection with the UK grid, until October 2012. 

As a result, the Irish grid provided an ideal opportunity for energy systems analysts to prove, the more annual wind percent on the grid, the lesser the annual CO2 reduction effectiveness

 
As a result of their analyses, and its widespread publication, the poor CO2 reduction effectiveness of wind came to the attention of EU bureaucrats in Brussels. 

This caused quite a lot of consternation and handwringing, but eventually Brussels found the "solution" 

 

The EU Solution for Ireland and the Rest of the EU

The EU “solution” was to give Ireland money to put in high capacity, MW, underwater HVDC transmission lines to the much larger UK and French grids.

The smallish Irish variations of wind output, while big on the Irish grid, disappear in the noise of the much larger UK and French grids, just like the smallish Idaho variations of wind output disappear in the noise of the much larger Illinois grid.

A major public relations embarrassment, adversely affecting the future of wind, was avoided, by a process of "dilution"

 

As a result, the Irish CCGT* plants are operated much more efficiently, because most of the burden of having to counteract the variable, intermittent wind outputs has been shifted to the UK and French grids.

 

* CCGT means combined-cycle, gas-turbine

 

NOTE: What applied to the Irish grid would apply to the New England grid as well; it also has minor connections to nearby grids.

 

NOTE: Europe is stuck with mostly CCGT plants for counteracting wind output variations, as it does not have nearly enough hydro plant capacity with reservoir storage.

http://www.theenergycollective.com/willem-post/2389832/german-renew...

 

If Minimal Wind Speeds in Ireland and UK

 

If winds in Ireland are minimal, that likely is also true for the UK, which lies east of Ireland. 
The UK cannot expect any wind energy from Ireland, and visa-versa.

 

As a result, Irish and UK CCGT plants will need to ramp up their outputs, or be turned on, to fill in for the lack of wind, as needed to meet demand.

 

That means, these CCGT plants will have to be staffed, fueled, and kept in good working order, to be ready to provide electricity to the grid, as ordered by the grid operator. Some of these plants will need to be in hot, synchronous standby mode.

 

None of that service would be for free.

It certainly would not be charged to the owners of the wind systems, who are not required to provide STEADY POWER OUTPUT, such as by means of battery storage systems.

 

The French grid could provide some electricity to Ireland and the UK, but not enough to make much of a difference, because the capacities of the grid connections were limited, prior to October, 2012 

ANALYSIS

 

Natural Gas and CO2 Reductions Less Than Claimed

 

If 0% Wind

 

This alternative assumes no wind turbines in Ireland.
The CCGT plants merely adjust their outputs to follow the highly predictable daily demand curve.

 

Annual average CCGT plant efficiency is assumed at 50%

Production is assumed at 100 kWh, for analysis purposes. See note

Required gas to produce 100 kWh = 100 kWh x 3413 Btu/kWh/0.5, efficiency = 682,600 Btu

Emitted CO2 = 682600 x (117 lb CO2/1000000 Btu, per EPA) = 79.864 lb.

 

If 17% wind

 

This alternative assumes 17% wind generation on the Irish grid.

The CCGT plants have to perform two functions: 1) adjust their outputs to follow daily demand, and 2) counteract the unpredictable up and down variations of wind output, on a less than minute-by-minute basis, 24/7/365, year after year.

The greater the wind generation on any grid, the greater the quantities of electricity associated with the up and down variation of wind outputs.

The net result is much less-efficient operation of the CCGT plants, and more wear and tear.

 

1) Wind proponents claim:

Required gas = (100 kWh – 17 kWh, produced by mwind) x 3413/0.50, efficiency = 566,558 Btu

Emitted CO2 = 566558 x 117/1000000 = 66.287 lb

Claimed CO2 reduction = 79.864 - 66.287 = 13.577 lb

 

2) Real-time grid operating data shows:

Actual CO2 reduction = 13.577 lb x 0.526, effectiveness (see Wheatley URL) = 7.142 lb

 

Remaining CO2 = 79.864 lb – 7.142 lb = 72.722 lb CO2.

Required gas to produce remaining CO2 = 72.722/(117/1000000) = 621,560 Btu

CCGT plant efficiency = (100 – 17) x 3413/621560 = 0.4558, if producing 83 kWh using 621,560 Btu of gas

CCGT plant efficiency reduction = 100 x (1 – 0.4558/0.50) = 8.85%, due to power plants:

1) counteracting wind output variations, and

2) having increased start/stops, and

3) being in increased hot, synchronous standby mode

 

This means the CCGT plants have to operate less efficiently to counteract the variable, intermittent wind output.

That leads to more annual gas consumption than claimed by wind proponents

That leads to less CO2 reduction than claimed by wind proponents.

 

The above bold numbers are summarized in the below table.

Ideal World	Gas used, Btu	CO2, lb	Turbine Eff., %
No Wind generation	682,600	79.864	0.5000
17% Wind generation	566,558	66.287	0.5000
Gas and CO2 Reduction	116,042	13.577
Real World
17% Wind generation	621,560	72.722	0.4558
Gas and CO2 Reduction	61,040	7.142
CCGT plant efficiency Reduction			8.85

 

Lack of CO2 Reduction in 2013

 

The above example was for 100 kWh.

However, in 2013, natural gas was 2098 ktoe*/4382 ktoe = 48% of the energy to all generating plants; see SEIA report.

 

*1 ktoe (kilo ton oil equivalent) = 39,653 million Btu

 

The gas energy included 2098 x (1 - 1/1.0855) = 171 ktoe for counteracting wind output 

The CO2 emission of 171 ktoe x 39,653 million Btu/ktoe x 117/million Btu = 791.4 million lb.

 

At least 791.4 million lb of CO2 emission reduction did not take place, because of less efficient operation of the CCGT plants

 

Lack of Gas Cost Reduction in 2013

 

The cost of the gas was about 171 x 39,653 million Btu/ktoe x $10/million Btu (2013 prices) = $67.6 million; current prices are much higher.

 

At least $67.6 million of imported gas cost reduction did not take place, because of less efficient operation of the CCGT plants.

 

Fuel Cost/kWh for Counteracting Wind Output Variations 

 

In 2013, the fuel cost of counteracting wind was 5,872,100,000 kWh of wind on the grid, per SEIA report/$67.6 million = 1.152 c/kWh

This cost would become greater as more wind turbine capacity, MW, is added, and as gas prices increase.

 

It is likely there were other costs, such as staffing, operations and maintenance, increased wear and tear of the CCGT plants, and increased grid extension/reinforcement for having additional wind turbines all over Ireland. 
These annual costs are in addition to the annual gas cost

 

Ireland Natural Gas Imports Greater Than Expected

 

Ireland imports its natural gas. The Irish people had been told building wind turbines would reduce gas imports.

When the reductions of gas imports were much less than promised, the government, after much foot-dragging, finally conducted an investigation, which proved the efficiency degradation of the CCGT plants.

 

NOTE: A similar outcome is in store for New England, if it builds out wind on ridgelines and offshore.

The laws of physics apply on both sides of the Atlantic.

See below section: Hydro-Quebec A Much Better Alternative Than Wind and Solar.

 

Wind Proponents Lied to the Irish People

 

It must be a real downer for the Irish people, after making the investments to build out wind and despoiling the visuals of much of their beautiful country, to find out the reductions of CO2 emissions and the cost of imported gas, at 17% wind on the grid, are only about 52.6% of what was promised*, and, as more wind is added, that percentage would decrease even more!!

 

*Not included are the embodied CO2 emissions for build-outs of:

 

1) Flexible generation system adequacy

2) Grid system adequacy

3) Storage system adequacy to accommodate variable wind (and solar).

High percentages of wind (and solar) on almost all grids could not exist without storage system adequacy.

See URLs.

http://www.theenergycollective.com/willem-post/2396941/wind-and-sol...

https://www.windtaskforce.org/profiles/blogs/battery-system-capital...

 

CCGT Plant Efficiencies are Less at Part Load Outputs

 

If CCGT plants perform peaking, filling-in and balancing, due to variable, intermittent wind and solar on the grid, they would operate at varying and lower outputs, and would experience more start/stops.

 

Such operation is less efficient than at steady and higher outputs, and with fewer start/stops, similar to a car.

 

CCGT plant operation becomes unstable below 40%.

Hence the practical limit is about 50%, which means the up/down ramping range is from 50% to 100%.

 

The table shows maximum efficiencies at low outputs; real-world efficiencies would be even less.

	Output	Efficiency		Output	Efficiency
Simple Cycle	100%	38%		40%	26%
Combined Cycle	100%	55%		40%	47%

 

http://www.wartsila.com/energy/learning-center/technical-comparison...

http://docs.wind-watch.org/Wheatley-Ireland-CO2.pdf

http://theenergycollective.com/willem-post/89476/wind-energy-co2-em...

http://www.seai.ie/Publications/Statistics_Publications/Energy_in_I...

http://www.clepair.net/Udo20150831-e.html

http://fredudo.home.xs4all.nl/Zwaaipalen/17E_Wind_in_the_Irish_grid...

APPENDIX 1

Australia Electrical System

 

The Australian electrical system has no connections to nearby grids, i.e., it is an “island system”. In that respect it is similar to the Ireland electrical system. Dr. Wheatley made studies of the grid operating data of the Australian system. See URLs. His report states:

 

- At 4.5% wind, CO2 reduction was about 3.5%, i.e., the effectiveness was about 3.5/4.5 = 78% in 2014.

- The reports states, if 9% wind, CO2 reduction would be about 6.3%, i.e., the effectiveness would be about 6.3/9 = 70%.

 

By straight line extrapolation,

 

- If 13.5% wind, effectiveness would be about 62%

- If 18% wind, effectiveness would be about 54%

 

The 54% would be similar to the 52.6% at 17% wind of Ireland electrical system.

Thus, the more wind, the less its effectiveness regarding reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. The laws of physics apply to Ireland, Australia, etc.

 

http://joewheatley.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/sub348_Wheatley.pdf

http://joewheatley.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/report.pdf

http://joewheatley.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/co2_nem.pdf

APPENDIX 2

Denmark Electrical System

 

About 50% of Denmark’s total electricity generation is by wind. Its wind turbines are connected to the national grid. The national grids of Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark are connected in a grid called Norpool. During higher wind periods, Denmark’s wind turbines produce too much electricity; any excess is exported, mostly to Norpool.

 

- The hydro plants of Sweden and Norway merely pass less water through their turbines to perform CO2-free balancing of the system. Denmark is in a unique case, and should not be used as an example regarding build-outs of wind turbines.

 

- In New England, that balancing is performed by CO2-emitting gas turbines, which creates operating inefficiencies, as above described.

 

APPENDIX 3

Hydro-Quebec A Much Better Alternative Than Wind And Solar 

 

“Vermont has the option to purchase up to 200 megawatts, but Jessome said he doesn’t expect the state to take advantage of that option.”

 

Green Mountain Power prefers to buy much higher-cost wind (at about 10 c/kWh) and solar (at about 20 c/kWh, if net metered) from a variety of local suppliers.

The 200 MW could provide about 1.3 million MWh/y, at about 7 c/kWh, with minimal capital investments and government subsidies, replacing most of what Vermont lost when Vermont Yankee was pre-maturely shut down/hounded out of business by Socialist Dem/Progs in 2014.

https://vtdigger.org/2016/02/09/army-corps-of-engineers-approves-1-...

By means of plant upgrades and new plants, Hydro-Quebec plans to have about 5000 MW of additional hydro plant capacity. See URL.

Here a list of the benefits of hydro electricity:

- Clean (no health-damaging particulates, no SOX, no NOx)
- Low-cost (5 - 7 c/kWh, plus 1 c/kWh for transmission), much less than wind and solar. See URL.
- Very low CO2/kWh emissions, much lower than wind and solar
- Steady, 24/7/365, i.e., NOT variable and NOT intermittent, unlike wind and solar, which are weather dependent, variable cloudiness dependent, night and day dependent, and season dependent
- NO federal and state subsidies and investment tax credits
- NO capital outlays by Vermont’s government
- NO enriching of in-state and out-of-state multi-millionaires and their lucrative, risk-free, tax shelters
- MINIMAL additional environmental impact in Vermont and Canada
- Private entities would own the transmission lines from Quebec to New England
- RECs would not need to be sold to out-of-state entities so THEY would be wearing the green halo, instead of Vermonters.
- Much less social discord than controversial wind on pristine ridgelines and solar in fertile meadows

 

Here are some URLs about increased hydro energy from Hydro Quebec.

 

http://vtdigger.wpengine.com/2015/01/28/utilities-want-flexibility-...

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/eversource-hydro-qu-bec-offer-170400...

http://www.windtaskforce.org/profiles/blogs/increased-canadian-hydr...

http://www.windtaskforce.org/profiles/blogs/more-energy-from-hydro-...

http://www.windtaskforce.org/profiles/blogs/gmp-refusing-to-buy-add...

 

 

Comment by Penny Gray on June 14, 2023 at 5:32pm

We must fight, fight, fight.  Dan's right.  Delay this project until common sense prevails, or we can kiss good-bye to the Pine Tree State.

Comment by Dan McKay on June 14, 2023 at 4:51pm

Many permits are still required to speak ou against approvals. Deley, delay, delay until a new Maine government is in place to destroy this proposal.