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Rise in renewable energy will require more use of fossil fuels

Sunday Gazette Mail -- The Delta Energy Center, a power plant about an hour outside San Francisco, was roaring at nearly full bore one day last month, its four gas and steam turbines churning out 880 megawatts of electricity to the California grid.

On the horizon, across an industrial shipping channel on the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, scores of wind turbines stood dead still. The air was too calm to turn their blades -- or many others across the state that day. Wind provided just 33 megawatts of power statewide in the midafternoon, less than 1 percent of the potential from wind farms capable of producing 4,000 megawatts of electricity.

As is true on many days in California when multibillion-dollar investments in wind and solar energy plants are thwarted by the weather, the void was filled by gas-fired

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Submitted Dec 17, 2012 By: skb69sa

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teenitup Champion Author Houston Posts:1,613 Points:247,010 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 3:49:25 PM Ignore teenitup Report Abuse Wish we could get new cleaner coal plants here as well E-Squirrel! Think that can happen under Obama?
E-Squirrel Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,012 Points:819,060 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 12:37:53 PM Ignore E-Squirrel Report Abuse honda0105 informs: "funny how wrong information is distributed." Germany's "new energy plan", with the pending shuttdown of existing nuclear plants is the building of twenty three brand new coal-fired generation plants. Funny how that doesn't get mentioned every time somebody cites Germany as a leader...
joeschmo12 Champion Author New York Posts:1,011 Points:304,515 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Dec 18, 2012 9:36:13 PM Ignore joeschmo12 Report Abuse california and other states must find an alternative when comes powering their homes. too many blackouts are experienced during the summer time
scorpiogg Sophomore Author Modesto Posts:248 Points:157,100 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Dec 18, 2012 7:44:12 PM Ignore scorpiogg Report Abuse Oh no, what's a "greenie" to do?
bevmill Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,567 Points:598,370 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Dec 18, 2012 7:10:40 PM Ignore bevmill Report Abuse Good news I hope.
obimerrill Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,430 Points:287,765 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Dec 18, 2012 12:02:05 PM Ignore obimerrill Report Abuse They can't win any way you look...
nb52 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:7,770 Points:1,544,900 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 18, 2012 4:13:52 AM Ignore nb52 Report Abuse Oh no, what's a "greenie" to do?
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,599 Points:1,607,570 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 18, 2012 3:50:55 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse funny how wrong information is distributed. Germany, Crete and other wind and solar users (who have done so for over 20 years in some cases), have reduced their reliance on fossil fuel and their electricity got a lot cheaper.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,949 Points:2,343,560 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Dec 18, 2012 1:33:09 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Rise in renewable energy will require more use of fossil fuels? One of the problems with renewable energy, when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing, very little power is being generated. Its not a perfect world and will need a way to store the generated renewable power until it is needed. A site survey for the best location for wind turbine placement and installation. Renewable power from solar, wind, hydro, thermal, tidal and/or nuclear. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, vehicle manufactures Produce and the population ‘Drives’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! XII/XXII/MMXII!
E-Squirrel Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,012 Points:819,060 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 11:52:42 PM Ignore E-Squirrel Report Abuse The proponents of "alternative" or "green" energy are often clueless about the realities, and hopelessly optimistic about how easy it is to replace "fossil fuel". You notice that none of the politicians involved with this have been realistic, which is why California, despite its terrific weather is becoming more and more of a "problem" place to try and live.
JuicyQ69 All-Star Author San Bernardino Posts:639 Points:1,137,810 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 11:46:36 PM Ignore JuicyQ69 Report Abuse Figuers...
UpSol7 Champion Author Augusta Posts:1,643 Points:756,925 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 10:05:06 PM Ignore UpSol7 Report Abuse I could use 33 megawatts of power at my house.... for some reason the solar power drops off at night too...
rahcat Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:2,458 Points:660,250 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 10:04:37 PM Ignore rahcat Report Abuse Not so green.
pastorpaulcg Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,615 Points:775,785 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 10:04:14 PM Ignore pastorpaulcg Report Abuse Law of unintended consequences
Bubba44612 Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,381 Points:1,874,155 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 10:03:11 PM Ignore Bubba44612 Report Abuse They put the wind turbines on the wrong coast. Should've put it besides DC. Plenty of wind coming from there.
bigdipperMS Champion Author Mississippi Posts:1,502 Points:534,725 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:58:56 PM Ignore bigdipperMS Report Abuse Fortunate that we have natural gas to fall back on. It should be on the first team.
CCLighthouse All-Star Author Hartford Posts:993 Points:211,080 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:58:30 PM Ignore CCLighthouse Report Abuse You didn't know that?
The_DR Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,770 Points:582,140 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:57:59 PM Ignore The_DR Report Abuse good news
abacus44 Champion Author Toms River Posts:3,465 Points:745,565 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:55:41 PM Ignore abacus44 Report Abuse Strange how that works out
OCTAPA Veteran Author Toronto Posts:493 Points:480,315 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:53:59 PM Ignore OCTAPA Report Abuse Informative...
mia3bxs Veteran Author Miami Posts:447 Points:309,315 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:53:13 PM Ignore mia3bxs Report Abuse I don't want to think about the day that we go back to fossil fuels because renewable energy may not be as effective as we thought.i
civicdutie Champion Author Rochester Posts:4,496 Points:951,435 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:52:51 PM Ignore civicdutie Report Abuse The concept of renewable energy sounds good, but it is merely a concept for most.
WIWalt Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,716 Points:413,595 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:51:24 PM Ignore WIWalt Report Abuse Renewable energy is a joke
chillyman3 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,355 Points:422,890 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:50:31 PM Ignore chillyman3 Report Abuse Get moving with it!
Dragnet Champion Author Arizona Posts:15,396 Points:2,906,810 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:49:08 PM Ignore Dragnet Report Abuse Can you believe how many dinosaurs are buried under the land called America? And now we want to use these fossilized characters to please the clowns of today. It's mind boggeling
Mikeyl Champion Author Cleveland Posts:5,147 Points:1,183,645 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:49:07 PM Ignore Mikeyl Report Abuse So, invest where there is wind or sun or whatever regularly... Mt. Washington would be a great place for a wind farm. Arizona for a solar farm. Many rivers for water turbines. Think before investing in worthless technology.
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,055 Points:1,729,430 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:40:34 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse wow
rjoeh Champion Author Michigan Posts:7,071 Points:2,468,115 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:39:39 PM Ignore rjoeh Report Abuse This is an example of why renewable and traditional energy sources need to work in concert with each other vs being competitors to the whole picture.
Jeeputtputt Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,002 Points:677,465 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:37:21 PM Ignore Jeeputtputt Report Abuse use some sense, cost vs. worth
69Bonne Champion Author Gary Posts:1,140 Points:471,200 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:36:39 PM Ignore 69Bonne Report Abuse Anything that can help should be appreciated.
bvrbill Champion Author Eugene Posts:3,199 Points:515,825 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:34:39 PM Ignore bvrbill Report Abuse Is the law of unintended consequences to blame?
30mpg80 Champion Author Lexington Posts:10,007 Points:1,484,930 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:32:56 PM Ignore 30mpg80 Report Abuse Use natural gas!
SavALot Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:8,459 Points:1,709,660 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:31:54 PM Ignore SavALot Report Abuse Will be the key to the innovation of energy
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,211 Points:870,220 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:31:51 PM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse Renewable energy is a joke played on the taxpayer by the environmentalists.
dcjauburn Champion Author Sacramento Posts:12,427 Points:2,237,640 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:30:04 PM Ignore dcjauburn Report Abuse I will bet that the demand for electricity was also down at that time. When the air conditioners are running we are getting power from the sun and wind, this may not happen during the winter time when there is less demand for electricity. Don't forget the other renewable, Hydro electric. No one said that renewable energy will replace non renewable sources, it just reduces the demand for the non renewable. [Edited by: dcjauburn at 12/17/2012 11:36:24 PM EST]
Dodge_Me Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,214 Points:554,730 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:26:57 PM Ignore Dodge_Me Report Abuse That's going to be expensive
bbreff Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,838 Points:2,566,465 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:26:47 PM Ignore bbreff Report Abuse How are the elements of fossil fuels regenerated?
BigKart All-Star Author Indianapolis Posts:753 Points:222,645 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:26:40 PM Ignore BigKart Report Abuse So our need for the capacity to generate power is not reduced by the existence of wind/solar farms after all. We just have a huge investment that's being wasted when the alternate sources can generate power. Boy, that makes sense... (not).
oas Champion Author Maryland Posts:4,220 Points:2,139,465 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:23:57 PM Ignore oas Report Abuse Renewables are not all they are touted to be.
Billrusty All-Star Author Washington Posts:832 Points:155,205 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:21:37 PM Ignore Billrusty Report Abuse what happen to thinking out side the box.
BREW9 All-Star Author Tampa Posts:871 Points:2,910,030 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:21:32 PM Ignore BREW9 Report Abuse ok
TFowler513 Champion Author Memphis Posts:3,824 Points:1,411,485 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:19:42 PM Ignore TFowler513 Report Abuse Old news and not necessarily true.
PoohMcGoo Champion Author Alabama Posts:3,067 Points:798,335 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:18:14 PM Ignore PoohMcGoo Report Abuse Ok
saleboss Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,924 Points:1,176,800 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:17:22 PM Ignore saleboss Report Abuse They need to have solar arrays as a back up!!
serrog Champion Author Nova Scotia Posts:5,554 Points:1,510,180 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:13:33 PM Ignore serrog Report Abuse Quandry here.
OGW Champion Author London Posts:5,324 Points:1,529,650 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:07:40 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse You can't build wind turbines where the wind is not constant for 90% of the time or you are just wasting your money. We have some turbines just outside our town that have never failed to produce their expected norm for the eight years since they were first installed.
wayoung56 Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,790 Points:816,385 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:04:19 PM Ignore wayoung56 Report Abuse Hmmm...
toadNY Champion Author Albany Posts:7,032 Points:1,511,200 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:02:41 PM Ignore toadNY Report Abuse Go with Tax Payer solar! Oh wait they went Bankrupt!
KhelbenArunson Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,433 Points:715,875 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:01:59 PM Ignore KhelbenArunson Report Abuse How do they figure that? lol.
gd83goldwinger Champion Author South Bend Posts:1,428 Points:502,730 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 9:01:00 PM Ignore gd83goldwinger Report Abuse It always going to play apart, since there is no tech. out there that is a 100% all the time. But the hopes is that we keep moving forward to get there one day.