Is wind power a sustainable resource?
The wind blows for free. This has led to the assumption that every kWh of wind power to the grid results in 1 kWh of fossil fuel savings. This assumption is incorrect. The high variability of wind power and the lack of technology to store large amounts of electricity are responsible for the fact that as more wind power is fed to the grid, less and less fuel is saved. Above about 10% net contribution, savings actually become negative. At a 20% wind and solar contribution, as the EU wants, we are well over that limit. This can already be seen in Germany.
Description
The wind blows for free. This has led to the assumption that every kWh of wind power to the grid results in 1 kWh of fossil fuel savings. This assumption is incorrect. The high variability of wind power and the lack of technology to store large amounts of electricity are responsible for the fact that as more wind power is fed to the grid, less and less fuel is saved. Above about 10% net contribution, savings actually become negative. At a 20% wind and solar contribution, as the EU wants, we are well over that limit. This can already be seen in Germany
18:15 Arrival and introduction
19:00 Dinner
20:30 Presentation and questions
22:00 Closing
Speaker(s)
Bert Stienstra
Location
Hotel Cafe Restaurant de Buizerd
Spoorstraat 124, 1723 NG Noordscharwoude
Organiser
Circle Alkmaar
Name and contact details for information
P.J. van Eenennaam