UK wind record

[adam2]

Did anyone else hear the PM announce upping the Offshore Wind target from 30 GW to 40? In among all the awful news that was a moment of brightness...

Splendid news.

[PS_RalphW]

The storms we have been having have been good for wind. Averaged over 10GW for the whole of February so far (23rd). More power from wind and solar than from gas and coal. Carbon intensity just over 200g/KWh

[kenneal - lagger]

So much for high winds shutting down wind turbines. And I've not heard of any being blown over either which is another anti wind turbine bleat.

[PS_RalphW]

Government removes block on onshore wind from bidding for fixed price subsidies alongside solar. Still needs local planning permission for schemes.

Wind just had its best month ever, producing more than coal and gas combined, and dropping CO2 to below 200 g CO2/kWh
For the first time ever. Half way to 2030 target of 100.

[adam2]

Indicated wind power is at present 13.6 GW, which I suspect is a new record.
As shown on Gridwatch site, other sources may differ.

[BritDownUnder]

The Grauniad has this interesting article on wind records.

Daily Wind Power share record - on Boxing Day it must be said.

More than half of Great Britain’s daily electricity came from wind turbines for the first time on Boxing Day, as the country headed for its “greenest year on record”, due in part to the coronavirus.

As Storm Bella arrived, bringing gusts of up to 100mph, wind provided 50.7% of Great Britain’s electricity according to data charting the power generation mix.

But wait! There's more. Annual Record as well.

Gas and coal power plants made up 36% of the electricity generated in England, Scotland and Wales in the year up to 21 December 2020, according to data from National Grid’s electricity system operator (NGESO), down from 46% in 2019.

Wind and solar farms delivered 29% of the electricity mix, rising from 23% of electricity generated in Great Britain last year, according to the early data report.

And an instantaneous record too.

While Boxing Day set a record for the highest share of power generated by windfarms, it was not a record for the most power they have ever supplied. That was set earlier this month, when windfarms delivered 17.3 gigawatts.

However, Coronavirus has quashed energy demand.

The coronavirus pandemic reduced electricity usage overall in 2020 compared with a normal year, as large swathes of the economy have been forced to shut their doors for extended periods. Average power demand across the course of the year has dropped from 32.58GW in 2019 to 30.6GW so far in 2020.

[adam2]

Wind power now at 13.9 GW which I suspect to be another new record, as indicated on Gridwatch, other sources may differ.
Reached 14.0 Gw about a half hour later.

[clv101]

Carbon intensity of UK grid has fallen by 60% since 2013. Not many people thought that possible a decade ago.

[adam2]

Very little wind power at present, or for much of the last couple of weeks. 0.36 GW At present, an astonishingly low level if considering the amount of extra capacity installed.

Wind is of course inherently variable, but recent output looks exceptionally low.

[PS_RalphW]

And just to show how variable, we get a new UK wind power record 3 days later.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... rgy-record

The blustery bank holiday produced a new wind power record as turbines generated just over 17.6GW of electricity for the first time in the middle of Monday afternoon, enough to run more than 3.5m kettles.

Windfarms generated 48.5% of the electricity grid in England, Scotland and Wales, which was more than the contribution made by gas plants, nuclear reactors and biomass burners combined.

I don't know many people who use 5KW kettles.

[adam2]

The question is sometimes asked, "how much wind power can the UK grid accept" The early hours of today gave some indication. The answer UNDER PRESENT CONDITIONS would seem to be about 5 GW Up to perhaps 10 GW.

Tonight wind power was generous at about 10 and CCGT was down to the very low figure of 2.5, with about 2 from biomass and 2 from imports. So by ceasing gas and biomass burning overnight, another 4.5 of wind could be accepted. By limiting imports a total of about 6.5 from wind could be used.
By exporting power, up to about 10 from wind should be possible.

All figures are in GW and are approximate. Tonight's conditions were very favourable with windy weather and moderate demand. Another 15 GW of wind power could be reasonably installed, and almost always be used, but accepting that some would be wasted on a few nights a year.

And before anyone shouts "use the surplus to make green hydrogen" No one is going to build hugely expensive hydrogen production facilities if these can only be used for a few hours a year.

[kenneal - lagger]

.................And before anyone shouts "use the surplus to make green hydrogen" No one is going to build hugely expensive hydrogen production facilities if these can only be used for a few hours a year.

The system should pay for those facilities to ensure its long term integrity. Not building them is akin to letting Rough go to pot.

[adam2]

Whilst we have had some impressive outputs from wind power, so far as I am aware, no new records have been set. The record was 14.0 GW back in February.
Anyone know why ? As more wind turbines are installed I would expect new records to be set. I refer here to indicated wind power on the Gridwatch site, other sources may differ.

[kenneal - lagger]

........Anyone know why ? .......

It's the weather,mate!!

[adam2]

Peak wind ! too many wind turbines have used up the wind.

Seriously, a local political figure has argued against PV modules on the grounds that they use up the sunlight and thereby render the area less attractive to holidaymakers.