Saturday, January 30, 2010

The "No Spin Zone"

Electric demand is highest when it is coldest and warmest for heating and air conditioning, respectively. At $300,000 each, these new state-owned wind turbines don't spin when it is cold in Minnesota!  Their special "Minnesota winter" hydraulic fluid freezes.


So, what is the plan?  To heat the hydraulic fluid!  Of course, that requires electricity or natural gas which means the net power output from the turbine drops (it wouldn't surprise me if it drops to near zero).
Image courtesy KSTP TV and "Hat Tip" to Hot Air.
But, "its a great project."  

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