Wind Generation in Texas

[JeffXD]

I am all for powering North Texas with the supplies from the Barnett Shale and support the local economy.

But, I don't necessrily see a problem with using wind if it can be done in an ecomically sound manner. I have been at roadside parks in west Texas and had to hold onto my fried chicken from blowing to Oklahoma too many times. I don't think the wind EVER quits blowing out there.

[Powerman]

Originally Posted by JeffXD

1. I was just relaying what the Texas Public Utility Commission has approved, and what WILL be happening.

2. Personally, I don't give a F where my power comes from just as long as I don't have to pay as much for it.

3. Geez, I didn;t mean to pinch such a nerve

Actually Jeff, I was just talking in general. Don't take it personal.

I just find it funny how many on this board are so convinced MMGW is a farce, yet are so willing to jump on the alternative power band wagon. Why? There simply is no need.

I'm just really getting sick of the green band wagon. As usual it is all about the buck, and has nothing to do with solutions, or convictions to use them. Allstate is going to pay a company to plant a tree for me if I pay them a couple of bucks a month. Give me a F**** break.

Texas is a little different. They have their own grid and why not use a resource they have. They have wind, they don't have coal locally. So cool. They still need to maintain a reserve to cover the loss of generation when the wind dies. Just like it did a while back and they came up 1700 MWs short at evening peak and had to do rolling brown outs.

Back to Pickens. The other thing I don't like about his plan. To look at the best way to use NG is a good idea. To say that we are not going to use it for power and replace it with wind sounds good. It isn't. The majority of NG use is in gas turbines. Utilities went to gas turbines because of lower environmental costs and because they needed peak power. The majority of gas turbines in a power companies portfolio are peaking units. They can be brought on line very quickly to cover peaks. Gas turbines themselves are expensive to run because gas prices have doubled.

Wind is not peaking power. Not to all those companies that don't have steady wind. Hell, it would be better to spend all that money on coal gasification technology to use in gas turbines if you wanted to use NG for transportation. Or how about putting a butt load of money into coal to liquid technology to run cars. Oh ya, Pickens doesn't own coal mines.

[JeffXD]

I havent been operating on much sleep lately and I perhaps I am a bit touchy.

[Powerman]

Originally Posted by JeffXD

I havent been operating on much sleep lately and I perhaps I am a bit touchy.

Ya well I wrote the first one right before I went to bed, so who knows.....