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Power Grid Incapable of Handling Green Electricity
America has finally begun waking up to the reality of augmenting its energy infrastructure with alternative energy sources. These sources range from a variety of sources, but wind energy is increasing in popularity, especially after oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens began endorsing the technologies. Regardless of the engineering boost to erecting windmills, the nation's electrical distribution infrastructure is not up to par with transmitting power from green generation sites to high load locations. Unfortunately, the matter is further complicated by the matter of jurisdiction since energy distribution is state regulated and generally out of federal hands.
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Big bad oil companies
Just an interesting tidbit to add:
Shell (my employer) recently sent out an email to all of its employees asking them to participate in a write-your-state-leaders campaign to approve the construction of a line to transmit power from windmills in the Texas panhandle to the greater-Texas power grid.
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So true by Anonymous :: NR0 :: Show
This is something I am familiar with, and I had to respond to this post (I am actually here to research automatic sprinklers). The wind fluctuates so much in a given minute/hour, that it creates monumental challenges when applied to the grid. Not just in the transmission and distribution side as the autor mentioned, but operating coal, gas, and nuclear plants have to constantly adjust to offset the sudden rises and falls in wind generating capacity to meet demand. The larger plants that run most effieicintly at a constant steady-state don't track these changes well, and are often slow to respond. Generation ends up either being wasted or in short supply.
Nuclear is the way to go. It's just a matter of time.