I liked the idea of free energy from the sun and wind.
Then I did my research, specifically, Maui Electric Co.'s Public Utilities Commission filing on March 9 titled "Adequacy of Supply."
"(G)eneration capacity of the utility . . . supplemented by . . . power from other sources, must . . . meet all reasonable demands for service and . . . a reserve for emergencies."
You may have noticed that the sun doesn't shine 24 hours per day. Nor is the wind always on. Nor is there hydroelectric available in a drought.
Wind? See The Daily Mail, February 2011, article by Christopher Booker. Or just type "wind power lies" into your search engine and read it.
Wind and photovoltaic will never provide the energy we think they could. As MECO says in its filing, these systems "do not affect the system capability . . . they are 'as available resource(s) . . . ' not dispatchable and cannot provide given . . . power at scheduled times."
The key phrases gleaned from research into so-called renewable energy are: "as available," "not dispatchable" and "cannot provide . . . power at scheduled times."
Steven Joshua Blue
Wailuku
