Lots of spin by supporters of turbines

Jim Merriam picks up on a theme from Parker Gallant's Energy Minister Chiarelli: Bringing Ontario a New Energy Vision

Lots of spin by supporters of turbines | Column | Opinion | The London Free Press:

When you apply the most basic laws of nature to wind turbines — no wind, no spin — it’s clear why they haven’t been producing much electricity during this week’s heat wave. The blades are as still as the air.
On Thursday morning there was enough wind power being produced in Ontario to supply the small city of Woodstock (pop. 35,000).
Rural residents could be forgiven for wondering why they’ve had to watch their regions torn asunder by the wind turbine controversy for such little gain.
To be fair, a communications staffer from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) pointed out it isn’t always thus.
Martine Holmsen, manager of communications for IESO, said wind power would make its biggest contribution to the grid during winter and the shoulder seasons.
But on Thursday morning (demand and generation vary hour to hour) wind at 62 megawatts (MW) was producing .26% of demand of 23,210. That demand is well below the peak of 27,005 recorded in August 2006.
Even at full capacity current wind installations are capable of producing only 4.3% of Ontario’s capacity.

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