Jones Beene wrote:
In 2008, the U.S. wind industry activated over 8,300 MW of new capacity . . .
Equivalent to roughly 3 average nuke plants after converting nameplate apples to oranges. I'll bet it was way cheaper than building 3 nukes. Faster, too.
At the peak of nuke plant construction in the late 1960s, I think I recall 3 to 5 plants were built per year. They built about 100 over ~20 years. They provide roughly 20% of U.S. electricity. So we could have 10% to 20% of electricity from wind a generation from now. That's about the limit with present-day technology and wind availability.
It is a shame they can't build those things in Georgia or the rest of the southeast. We have no wind. But recent studies indicate that offshore wind resources may now be practical in Georgia. Georgia Power is getting ready to build another nuke.
I favor building another nuke plus 1 nuke equivalent in offshore wind power, and then phasing out old coal plants ahead of schedule instead of maintaining them.
- Jed
