Common sense isn't.
As we wait for TVA's
announcement page to be updated with fourth quarter 2001
results, we can ponder the weather data from the last few days of
the year. As luck would have it, after a string of very windy days,
the old year went out, and the new year came in, with a whimper (or
low winds). Below about 4 meters/second (about 9 mph) the wind
turbines can produce no power.
Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on your perspective,
the temperature was also quite low during this time of low wind.
Wind turbines can produce more power with lower temperature, denser
air. So, in a way the wind turbines like cold and windy weather
best, unlike most people. The dense, cold air on the mountain was
not being taken advantage of to make power at a time when power was
needed for heating. In fact, we can be sure that the turbines
themselves were consuming power to keep the precious components
warm.
You may explore the effect of varying temperature and humidity
on the power produced by the turbines, using my TVA
Buffalo Mountain wind power calculator. Of course, variations
in temperature or humidity don't make much difference if the wind
isn't blowing.
Thanks to
NOAA for the
weather data.
Previous Bottom Line Reports:
November 2001
| Quote of the moment |
| It seems to me that Western science and Eastern philosophy can join together to create a really complete and full-fledged human being. It is only in this way that man will emerge strengthened from his condition and become whole. What in fact interests me is what is beyond matter and awareness, what really is important, and what makes us what we are. |
| ~ The Path to Tranquility, April 4, 14th Dalai Lama ~ |
Common sense isn't.
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Saturday, 2007-11-17 at 05:09:06 UTC.