I wrote:
> It works both ways. Wind turbines cover lost production from coal and > nuclear plants when they are down for maintenance. > Also, wind is sometimes more reliable and slower to vary than fossil fuel. See: http://www.awea.org/learnabout/utility/Wind-Integration-and-Reliability.cfm QUOTES: ". . . In contrast to the large, abrupt, and often unpredictable changes in electricity demand and in conventional generator output, wind output changes tend to be gradual and predictable. When wind turbines are spread over large areas, it typically takes an hour or more for a significant change in wind output to occur . . . . . . Just over a month ago, wind vividly demonstrated its important contribution to grid reliability by keeping the lights on for millions of Texans while over 50 coal and natural gas plants experienced unexpected outages due to unusually cold weather." - Jed
