Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry.

Friday, August 29, 2014

Top 9 Things You Didn’t Know About Distributed Wind Power

Top 9 Things You Didn’t Know About Distributed Wind Power



http://breakingenergy.com/2014/08/28/top-9-things-you-didnt-know-about-distributed-wind-power/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy&utm_campaign=88edd5da7e-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f852427a4b-88edd5da7e-407300641

Guest comment from my colleague:

Federal and state tax breaks and subsidies (www.dsireusa.org) for "distributed wind" have been a major stimulus for the growth cited by DOE. The cost of these tax breaks and subsidies are shifted to all other taxpayers and electric customers (or, in the case of federal tax breaks and subsides, become part of the growing national debt) that will be inherited by our children and grandchildren.
Distributed wind installations, when all true costs are considered, are likely to remain uneconomic except where (a) those needing the electricity are beyond the reach of distribution lines, and/or (b) rates from distribution companies are extremely high.
Some who install "distributed wind" probably derive "conversation value" or "braging rights" that they believe have value that offsets the true economic cost.
Nevertheless, any products or services that are dependent on tax breaks and subsidies are highly risky as long-term business propositions.
Of course, wind mills used to pump water are often economic because water, unlike electricity, can be stored.

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