I used to support wind power and vilify natural gas. I was so wrong.
Here's the truth. ⬇️
Here's the truth. ⬇️
2/ Natural gas has reduced CO2 by 2X more than wind.
The US has reduced ~1 BILLION metric tons of CO2 since 2005—more than the entire EU. What’s produced the energy-related reductions:
61% = Natural gas replacing coal
31% = Wind
8% = Solar
bit.ly/3nBTKzD
The US has reduced ~1 BILLION metric tons of CO2 since 2005—more than the entire EU. What’s produced the energy-related reductions:
61% = Natural gas replacing coal
31% = Wind
8% = Solar
bit.ly/3nBTKzD
3/ Shifting from coal to natural gas remains the fastest, cheapest way to reduce CO2.
"Every 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas replacing coal saves over 30 million tons of CO2 emissions—the equivalent of electrifying 6 million cars."
- @Shalennial
bit.ly/3I2QZiT
"Every 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas replacing coal saves over 30 million tons of CO2 emissions—the equivalent of electrifying 6 million cars."
- @Shalennial
bit.ly/3I2QZiT
4/ Lower-income & middle-income families subsidize wind-power tax credits to support the wealthy.
Wind power received 48X more subsidies than natural gas per unit of electricity generated.
bit.ly/3w2aEfu
Wind power received 48X more subsidies than natural gas per unit of electricity generated.
bit.ly/3w2aEfu
5/ Natural gas produces less waste.
Each wind turbine blade is over 165ft (50m) long & is made from toxic materials that can’t be recycled & that are getting dumped in landfills.
Tens of thousands of blades will eventually enter the waste stream.
bloomberg.com/news/features/…
Each wind turbine blade is over 165ft (50m) long & is made from toxic materials that can’t be recycled & that are getting dumped in landfills.
Tens of thousands of blades will eventually enter the waste stream.
bloomberg.com/news/features/…
6/ Natural gas produces less air pollution.
Wind power needs a gas plant as a backup to avoid blackouts when the wind doesn’t blow.
Wind power causes plants to ramp up & down quickly.
The up-and-down ramping causes more air pollution than running the plant efficiently.
Wind power needs a gas plant as a backup to avoid blackouts when the wind doesn’t blow.
Wind power causes plants to ramp up & down quickly.
The up-and-down ramping causes more air pollution than running the plant efficiently.
7/ Even when the wind is blowing, the gas plants must continue burning fuel to maintain their minimum operating levels.
bit.ly/3SHzcnD
bit.ly/3SHzcnD
8/ Wind farms increase utility bills.
Households pay more for electricity where governments mandate wind & solar power:
German households saw their energy bills DOUBLE between 2010-2020.
American households in CA pay 80% more, & 11% more in 28 other states with mandates.
Households pay more for electricity where governments mandate wind & solar power:
German households saw their energy bills DOUBLE between 2010-2020.
American households in CA pay 80% more, & 11% more in 28 other states with mandates.
9/ An offshore wind farm requires 13X more mineral resources than a natural gas power plant.
bit.ly/3mEbCJR
bit.ly/3mEbCJR
10/ Wind power requires 370X more land than natural gas.
A 200-megawatt wind farm takes up 13 square miles.
A natural gas power plant with that same generating capacity could fit onto a single city block.
bloom.bg/3Cb7auS
A 200-megawatt wind farm takes up 13 square miles.
A natural gas power plant with that same generating capacity could fit onto a single city block.
bloom.bg/3Cb7auS
11/ Natural gas is 1.6X more reliable.
Capacity factor is a measure of reliability.
A plant with a capacity factor of 100% is producing maximum power 100% of the time.
bit.ly/3xST2Uw
Capacity factor is a measure of reliability.
A plant with a capacity factor of 100% is producing maximum power 100% of the time.
bit.ly/3xST2Uw
12/ The wind often doesn't blow when we need it most.
The chart shows when power demand in Texas surges, wind generation falls.
Less than 3% of wind capacity was available during peak demand.
This is what happens when you hire a flaky part-time employee to do a full-time job.
The chart shows when power demand in Texas surges, wind generation falls.
Less than 3% of wind capacity was available during peak demand.
This is what happens when you hire a flaky part-time employee to do a full-time job.
14/ Natural gas plants last 2X longer than wind farms.
15/ Wind farms break down often & don’t last long.
Equipment failures & declining performance make the cost of operating a 16+ yr old wind turbine prohibitive.
Onshore turbines lose 37% output & offshore turbines lose 50% output at 16 yrs.
bit.ly/34dxYft
Equipment failures & declining performance make the cost of operating a 16+ yr old wind turbine prohibitive.
Onshore turbines lose 37% output & offshore turbines lose 50% output at 16 yrs.
bit.ly/34dxYft
16/ Natural gas costs less to transmit power to the people who need it.
Natural gas plants are built near urban areas. But wind farms are located far from homes & workplaces which increases the cost of moving the energy where it's needed: ~$BILLIONS for new transmission lines.
Natural gas plants are built near urban areas. But wind farms are located far from homes & workplaces which increases the cost of moving the energy where it's needed: ~$BILLIONS for new transmission lines.
17/ Natural gas promotes US energy security.
China’s chokehold on wind turbine manufacturing threatens the energy security of any country reliant on wind power.
China’s chokehold on wind turbine manufacturing threatens the energy security of any country reliant on wind power.
18/ China takes up 7 spots among the world’s top 10 wind turbine manufacturers.
China controls 85% of the rare earth refining capacity for making wind turbines.
bit.ly/3K9CdJO
China controls 85% of the rare earth refining capacity for making wind turbines.
bit.ly/3K9CdJO
19/ By contrast, the US is the largest producer of oil & gas in the world.
The US ability to produce oil & gas promotes its energy independence & security.
bit.ly/3SXCOSM
The US ability to produce oil & gas promotes its energy independence & security.
bit.ly/3SXCOSM
20/ In summary…
21/ More background on my personal story via my article “Chasing utopian energy: How I wasted 20 years of my life”:
briangitt.com/chasing-utopia…
briangitt.com/chasing-utopia…
I almost forgot.
Wind turbines kill endangered golden eagles, bald eagles, owls, red-tailed hawks, Swainson’s hawks, peregrine falcons, and prairie falcons, among many others.
Wind turbines kill endangered golden eagles, bald eagles, owls, red-tailed hawks, Swainson’s hawks, peregrine falcons, and prairie falcons, among many others.
https://twitter.com/d_e_mol/status/1382451761424728065?s=20&t=tPVUAxBW4OWOKMNW7CY0Iw
Hold on...there's more:
Offshore wind farms threaten endangered whales, fisheries, ocean views & industrialize the coastline.
@pwrhungry
realclearenergy.org/articles/2022/…
Offshore wind farms threaten endangered whales, fisheries, ocean views & industrialize the coastline.
@pwrhungry
realclearenergy.org/articles/2022/…
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