PUTTING THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE DEPT.
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Amount of land needed to power Minnesota with Wind: 4,223.7 km sq.*
Problem: Sometimes the wind doesn't blow. Check out this story from Business Insider.
Wind Energy's Summer Slump Bolsters Natural Gas Dominance
Last week, U.S. wind power output slumped to the lowest in almost three years, and generators ramped up natural gas use to keep the lights on. This is not a glitch or a one-time occurrence. It is simply the reality and highlights the difference between reliability and climate ambitions. And the former will always trump the latter.
—Business Insider
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* I doubt this is entirely accurate once you factor in the amount of energy required to operate the mines. A friend told me 25 years ago (if I remember correctly) that Minnesota Power had six power plants. Each of the five mines had a dedicated plant and the sixth provided electricity to all the homes in Northern Minnesota. If we factor in the mines and industral needs, the amount of area for wind farms might be double the above.
** FWIW: The typical life span of a wind turbine is 20 years, with routine maintenance required every six months. Wind turbine power output is variable due to the fluctuation in wind speed.
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