I wonder what the formula is that they use for the spacing between generators? Just from the pictures one would think they could be spaced closer together.

A specific megawatt rating may be misleading. Megawatts is a measurement of power, & is instantaneous in nature. If the megawatt rating is a peak rating, that means the output will rarely be that high. Megawatt-hours (megawatts x hours) during a specified time period is the measurement that matters in this case. This measurement relates to energy expended over a certain amount of time (which translates to work). Utility companies charge consumers $x per kilowatt-hour during a month's time. Magawatt-hours per month, year, etc. is the best way to compare outputs of power production facilities, as time is factored into the picture. Clear as mud?

Yes, the nameplate rated capacity is the maximum output capacity of the turbines at any given point in time.

I read that wind farms run overall somewhere around 35% "efficiency" v. 75% or so as compared to other sources such as coal-fired power plants in terms of rated K/MW v. K/MWH, because of the variability of wind and the lack of storage capability v. the pour-on-more-coal-to-crank-it-up whenever you want nature of coal.

Tennessee does not have the potential for large scale cost-effective wind or solar, so I think the first thing we are going to have to do is to get our legislators to get us a net metering law so we can contribute to the power grid as individuals. We are one of only 8 states in which you are not able to sell power back to your utility at the same price they sell it to you. Until this happens, the TVA and coal have total control of our electricity supply.

New coal-fired power plants aren't being built and TVA doesn't currently have much of a plan to meet future demand outside of rate increases and conservation advocacy. We are probably going to have to help with many diverse small-scale efforts.

What can we build here?

art by Katie Walberg

I think the first thing we are going to have to do is to get our legislators to get us a net metering law so we can contribute to the power grid as individuals.

I agree wholeheartedly. But I was told that the TVA Green Power Partners program, in which most local utilities participate including KUB, requires net metering?

While working for a local company involved in data collection at various power producing facilities, I spent a little time at a site that purchased power from other utilities at night when rates were less expensive. This power fueled giant electrical air compressors & the compressed air was stored in a cavernous hole in the ground until daytime, whereupon the air was piped into turbines which were coupled to electrical generators, & the power was resold at the significantly higher daytime rate! Pretty clever huh? Methods of storing power could prove to be a part of the solution to our voracious demand for electricity.

Nice royalties!
Wonder if land suitable for wind power in Kansas or elsewhere is taking the same price hit as land everywhere is in this recession.
A

-Sugarfatpie (AKA Alex Pulsipher)

"X-Rays are a hoax."-Lord Kelvin

Here's an interesting wind vs. nuclear cost comparison. Good discussion in comments following too.

Strip-mining coal has a substantial footprint, too.

Liberty and justice for all.

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