The Telegraph article referenced for this piece was written by:
Dr. Capell Aris, who has spent his career in the field of electricity generation. He was a former PhD student of the Institute of Engineering and Technology
As the United States aims to significantly expand offshore wind capacity, it would be good to consider the cautionary tale unfolding in the UK. With the UK grappling with the consequences of its aggressive pursuit of green energy, policymakers and the American public must carefully assess the feasibility and potential risks of transitioning. such a quick energy change. In this article, we explore fears that the British experience will serve as a terrible warning to Americans.
The real cost of offshore wind
“The UK already has 15 GW of offshore wind, 300 times more than the US: and our experience should be a terrible warning to Americans.”
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/11/green-energy-disaster-uk-awful-warning-america/
The exorbitant costs associated with offshore wind power in the UK are a cause for concern. Offshore wind farms, such as Hornsea Two and Moray East, were built at capital costs of £2.77 billion and £2.75 billion per GW respectively, more than four times the cost. of the gas-fired combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT). Maintenance costs for offshore wind farms are also huge, estimated at £200 million per GW installed each year.
The intermittent nature of wind power presents a fundamental challenge.
“Wind energy is intermittent and very fickle,”
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/11/green-energy-disaster-uk-awful-warning-america/
lead to fluctuations in energy output. Unlike conventional generators, wind turbines cannot be relied upon to provide on-demand power. Furthermore, the capacity factor of wind farms in the UK is far from optimal, operating at 33% in 2022 and just 29% in 2021. These factors affect more than just reliability. reliability of the power supply but also increases the total cost to the consumer.
Tension on the grid
“As our generation sites move away from the load center, our grid transmission system must be expanded to connect new renewable generators.”
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/11/green-energy-disaster-uk-awful-warning-america/
The strain on the transmission grid becomes significant when renewable generators are located in remote or offshore locations. National Grid estimates that connecting these new renewable generators will cost £46 billion, or £1,533 per household, by 2030. In addition, Wind power is not capable of providing grid inertiacoupled with the increasing share of renewable energy, raised concerns about system instability and increased risk of power outages.
Increased costs for consumers
“Additional services such as the very responsive gas-powered generators needed to connect renewables to the grid add £30/MWh to £50/MWh to energy costs. renewables.”
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/11/green-energy-disaster-uk-awful-warning-america/
These additional costs, combined with the high capital and maintenance costs of offshore wind farms, have a significant impact on electricity prices. The true cost to consumers of offshore wind generation ranges from £200/MWh to £220/MWh, much higher than the cost of CCGT.
For example, even if one wanted to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, to conserve oil as a resource for future generations, the rapid and overly ambitious energy transition would not must be the wisest way. Urgent attention is needed to the construction of new nuclear plants as a reliable, affordable and practical means of achieving and combining energy while ensuring a secure energy supply. .
The story warns of the UK’s green energy disaster as a sobering reminder that a rushed and overly ambitious energy transition can have profound consequences. The high costs, disruption issues, strain on the grid and limited storage capacity associated with offshore wind power require careful consideration. Instead of plunging headfirst into an untested energy landscape, policymakers must weigh potential risks and costs against desired benefits. A balanced and pragmatic approach that includes a combination of multiple energy sources could prove to be a more reliable and cost-effective solution in the pursuit of a healthy and reliable energy future. trust.
The Telegraph article referenced for this piece was written by:
Dr. Capell Aris, who has spent his career in the field of electricity generation. He was a former PhD student of the Institute of Engineering and Technology
Related
