Wind and Solar Are Crushing Fossil Fuels

76 Comments on "Wind and Solar Are Crushing Fossil Fuels"

Go Speed Racer on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 8:08 am 



Liberal leftist scam. Those windmills only produce energy when it’s windy. The average output is 2% of the nameplate. The libe quote nameplate so they off by a factor of 50. And they uglify the landscape.
Conventional power plants make up the difference, while the libs swoon to their false god.

Kenz300 on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 8:14 am 



Wind and solar are safer, cleaner and cheaper forms of energy…………..NO fossil fuels…………….

Electric cars, bikes and mass transit are the future…..fossil fuel ICE cars are the past…………..

Think teen agers vs your grand father…………………. cell phones vs land lines…….

NO EMISSIONS……..climate change is real………

onlooker on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 8:18 am 



No fossil fuels?
No emission?
Not clean or cheap enough for an Economy which is contracting or a climate which is now in Chaos.

makati1 on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 8:32 am 



Hahahahahahaha!

“SunEdison Green Power Bankruptcy Inevitability”
“SunEdison setback may delay Modi’s ‘ultra mega’ solar drive in India”
“Solar And Wind Energy May Be Nice, But How Can We Store It?”
“SolarCity Is the Next SunEdison”
“As SunEdison Tanks, Is Rest Of Solar Going With It?”
Etc. Rice Farmer

A temporary blip and they call it “crushing “. Wake me when it is 50% of the world’s electric use. But it still will be a minor blip in the total energy use by the 7+ billion of us.

penury on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 10:25 am 



The dreams of Elysian Fields and Unicorns, what a great way to start a Sat. That appears to be the menu for today. See you when reali8ty returns.

mk on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 10:49 am 



Develop storage for solar and wind. Make it dispatchable and connect it to the grid. When that is cost-effective, come talk to me. ‘Crushing it’… right…

tita on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 11:05 am 



In 2014, wind and solar represented around 2% of the global energy production, while ff represented 81% (eia, not the probably biased 4% presented here). I’m not exactly sure about the meaning of “crushing” here. Yeah, it’s increasing each year… And 2% is huge, of course. But, no matter how you make numbers, FF are actually 40 times more used than wind and solar.

BNEF make advertising for investment in their business. Not very interesting when it comes to analyse the real deal. It just show that the investment is incredibly high compared to FF.

Douglas Thompson on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 11:14 am 



Oil & coals lobbyist hate that this happening. They will spew hate, deceive and lie to squeeze every last dollar out of these dying industries. Sorry folks your days are numbered, no more destroying and poisoning the planet for greed. Good bye and good luck to you!

Douglas Thompson on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 11:17 am 



Solar + Electric cars = Victory for humanity!

peakyeast on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 11:38 am 



Civilisation will exterminate humankind along with most other species.

We are THE current Arch enemy of all life incl. ourselves.

When humankinds victory is complete the dino-meteor will seem insignificant.

How’s that for a victory !

rockman on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 11:48 am 



Doug – FYI: I’ve worked in the oil patch for 40 years and haven’t heard a single word of concern about the alts competing with us. Not a single word. But I’ve known many who have embraced it for personal use. If fact there are tens of thousands of small solar panels on producing wells that power a variety of electronics. Remember most wells are remote and don’t have dfjrect access to transmission lines. I don’t have a source handy but I suspect as far as industries go the fossil fuel producers have more individual alt applications (almost all solar) then any other industry.

And again let’s access the impact of wind power on Texas, tied with Germany as the 4th largest wind capacity on the planet. And wind has provided ZERO COMPETITION to fossil fuels in the state. All of that great wind power base has not reduced energy production from ff (especially our huge coal resources) by even 1 Btu. Wind in Texas was expanded to SUPPLIMENT the ff…not to replace them. Texas has no plans to turn away from our huge lignite deposits in favor of the alts. One point of proof: currently the largest CO2 sequestration project of the planet is being built to handle the second largest single source of GHG in the country: a power plant that gets half its energy from lignite. The pipeline along cost $400 million. Monies that wouldn’t be spent if we didn’t expect we would continue burning a lot of coal for decades to come.

Apneaman on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 12:13 pm 



There is not going to anyone living in Texas in the decades to come due to the consequences of AGW. Non linear AGW.

rockman on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 12:35 pm 



There will be more and more folks living in Texas in the coming decades thanks to the continue migration of folks from other states. Not sure what tye latest stat might be but at one point a few years more than half the new jobs created in the entire country werer in Texas. Next census there will probably be another increase in representation in DC just like we saw the last time.

sunweb on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 1:05 pm 



All the things in our world have an industrial history. Behind the computer, the T-shirt, the vacuum cleaner is an industrial infrastructure fired by energy (fossil fuels mainly). Each component of our car or refrigerator has an industrial history. Mainly unseen and out of mind, this global industrial infrastructure touches every aspect of our lives. It pervades our daily living from the articles it produces, to its effect on the economy and employment, as well as its effects on the environment.
The whole picture needs to be included not just the installed devices. I am not a supporter of fossil fuels or nuclear. I am concerned about continuing business as usual and its devastation of the earth and humanities future.
Solar and wind energy collecting devices and their auxiliary equipment have an industrial history. They are an extension of the fossil fuel supply system and the global industrial infrastructure. It is important to understand the industrial infrastructure and the environmental results for the components of the solar energy collecting devices so we don’t designate them with false labels such as green, renewable or sustainable.
This is a challenge to ‘business as usual’. If we teach people that these solar devices are the future of energy without teaching the whole system, we mislead, misinform and create false hopes and beliefs. They are not made with magic wands.
These videos are primarily concerning solar energy collecting devices. These videos and charts are provided by the various industries themselves. I have posted both charts and videos for the solar cells, modules, aluminum from ore, aluminum from recycling, aluminum extrusion, inverters, batteries and copper.
Please note each piece of machinery you see in each of the videos has its own industrial interconnection and history.
http://sunweber.blogspot.com/2015/04/solar-devices-industrial-infrastructure.html

AZ on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 1:12 pm 



At this point renewable are not even sufficient to satisfy the growing energy need not to mention the replacement of nuclear plants, which are naturally aging and which nobody wants to replace with the state of the art nuclear plants.

Do not take make wrong, I have a 10kW solar panels on my roof, ideally positioned with respect to sun, but I still have to pay for electricity, because the most I ever saw coming out of those panels – 8 kW of power, and it only lasted for 15 minutes.

I am thank fun to all of you for contributing in the form of taxes so that I can put it there for a fraction of its cost.

However, be real! It is cool for now, but it will take decades to make a difference,

Bob Owens on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 1:15 pm 



Comparing the ascent of wind power to the LED lightbulb might provide insight. When the first LEDs were produced at 500 times the cost of an incandescent bulb, the makers of incandescents, I am sure, were not too worried. Later the LEDs found niche markets in various markets and production expanded; costs came down. Now the LEDs own the light market and incandescents are out. The same is happening to wind power. It now makes sense in the best wind sites we have. Soon costs will drop even more and, with the solving of energy storage problems, wind will take over. Even now coal plants are going bankrupt almost daily. For me, the change can’t come fast enough. The world needs all the help it can get. As an aside, lighting used to consume 10% or our electricity. With LEDs that will be 1%.

Apneaman on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 1:27 pm 



Better hope they bring their own water?

marmico on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 1:40 pm 



In 2016, wind + solar will likely surpass hydro-electricity as a primary source of U.S. energy consumption.

In what year will wind surpass hydro?

http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/pdf/sec1_7.pdf

Nevertheless, fossil fuels still provided 81% of energy consumption in 2015.

JamerJames on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 2:57 pm 



Coal is the way to go, wind energy is evil. http://www.theonion.com/video/in-the-know-coal-lobby-warns-wind-farms-may-blow-e-20876

dothejobright on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 6:16 pm 



Wind power in the form of giant wind farms is a boondoggle. These giant steel monstrosities do not produce any usable electricity. When they do produce electricity, fossil fuel electrical generating facilities have to turn off generators so that the grid can be balanced. This is usually accomplished by letting the generator to spin freely (while still burning coal) without generating electricity in the case of coal fired facilities, or stopping and starting gas fired generators (coal fired generators take days to warm up, while gas fired generators can be started up minutes). This starting and stopping uses much more gas than if the generator were allowed to run continuously. In effect, wind generators (and intermittent sources of electricity in general) only create problems for the electrical grid. Furthermore, these giant government mandated energy sources are dangerous as they promote complacency as to the predicament we face.

dave thompson on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 6:25 pm 



@ sunweb, Your web page with the info provided is irrefutable. I notice not a single person disputing the facts you present. Solar, wind and all the rest of the “green energy solutions” will never power modern industrial civilization as we know it, alone, ever.

makati1 on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 6:33 pm 



Sunweb, total systems don’t register on the dreamer’s minds, only hope and the unconscious fear that they will NOT enjoy the ‘good life’ until they die. They want to believe that there is an ‘alternate energy source that will provide it. You and I know that is impossible.

Go Speed Racer on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 7:34 pm 



Thanks for DoTheJobRight, said the stuff I wanted to say. And they are ugly vandalism of our scenic countryside. So just where does the power come from on a starry night with no wind? Just the leftie liberal wet dream. Real generating stations produce power like 10 aircraft carriers, and they do it in all weather conditions. Yeah, dangerous cause they pretend they solved it, when they didn’t. Evil shrill bitch like Hillary, will get on the windmill bandwagon because she does whatever is politically expedient, not what produces power. When the lights go out, the shrill bitch has so much money they just crank up their 16 cylinder Caterpillar gen set. Out behind their hotel sized house. So the ruling shrill bitch elites don’t care the windmills don’t produce power.

denial on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 7:42 pm 



the only way is using less….using less…and a slow decline…but…..smaller houses less meat ….smaller or no cars etc….but that is not possible

Davy on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 8:14 pm 



It is all how you look at it. What is your point of view? If you believe we are destine to grow and develop then you will see renewables as the future. You know eventually the build out will occur. Scaling is not an issues if you feel we are destine to advance onward. If you are like me and believe we are in terminal decline that may happen anytime or within 15 years you see renewables are an energy extender. I don’t see renewables as a transition energy future.

Diversification is the key as we head into a time of decay and decline. Wind and solar offer that diversification but they do not offer a transition future. They are a dead end technology because they are complex and based on globalism.

The most effective aspect of renewables would be leveraging the use of renewables with lifestyle and attitude changes. Doing localized applications that adapt to variability is one way. Going low tech and low cost with dispersed applications is another. Instead we look for expensive, complex, and large. We want our renewables to deliver power like our fossil fuel sources. What a pity we are so narrow minded and lazy.

Our biggest challenges are not the technology but our attitudes and lifestyles we consider non-negotiable. What hubris that is. EV’s and renewables with different attitudes and lifestyles would make a very significant difference. Instead used as they are today as grid power for a wasteful “everything now” economy. This is pure madness. If we realized at a global level we are speeding towards a brick wall of collapse you would think we could change our approach to life. Instead we feel we will overcome the problems facing us with technology and development.

Boat on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 9:30 pm 



What ever happens with any energy will be decided by cost and regulation which affects cost. Predicting what happens with each segment of energy is the game. Idology and blame is like sitting at a stop light. A waste of time.

Apneaman on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 9:44 pm 



Speed Racer, there are a wide variety of folks across the political spectrum who are proponents of solar and wind. Claiming it’s only lefty’s is simply repeating right-wing rhetoric – most of it funded by entrenched interests. Ever check out all the wind power in Texass? Hell most of those retards don’t even believe in evolution and they got plenty of wind – because it works for them. Kinda makes sense though – wind for wind bags. They about as far right as you can go without falling off the edge of the planet. Except for Austin – kinda a lefty enclave there. Me, I don’t give a shit either way. Just having fun poking the passengers as they rearrange the deck chairs.

Greening the Tea Party

http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/green-tea-party-solar

The ‘green’ Tea Party fights for a more environmentally friendly GOP

http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-04-11/green-tea-party-fights-more-environmentally-friendly-gop

brock2118 on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 10:08 pm 



wind energy production actually went down in 2015 despite more windmills because the wind didnt blow as well.

if you are intent on killing oil coal and gas you may as well admit you are desiring to demobilize and de-electrify the country.

Tom Armstrong on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 10:08 pm 



Each power source will have supporters and detractors. It is a given that the world will need more and more power. I believe there is no longer any doubt that the earth is experiencing a measurable warming trend. There is enough research to strongly suggest that the accumulations of green house gasses in the atmosphere is a contributing factor. Therefore the argument, whether renewables, clean or dirty has really ended. From here on in it’s about cost and commitment. Time alone will tell us just how successful our efforts have been. One of the contributors above believes we are heading for a brick wall. How many of our generations will be around to see whether those predictions will be right or wrong. After all ninety nine point nine perent of all evolved species are now extinct. Homo sapiens might be on the verge of joining that list.

rockman on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 10:15 pm 



Now, now, Apneaman. We all know Texas is the center of leftism in the country. Which is why our stone cold liberal state govt spent $7 BILLION of our tax dollars so it could pretend is was allowing remote windfarms to distribute power across the state. LOL

It always amazes me the see the constant “wind power ain’t worth sh*t” foolishness. In particular the way theY completely ignore what Texas’s has accomplished. But I suppose they have no choice: discussing Texas wind power would only show how full of crap they are. LOL.

Daniel Barker on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 10:24 pm 



The singular issue has nothing to do with efficiency, pollution, costs, etc. It is who pays taxes! Currently Americans receive thirty percent off solar and wind, and ten percent off electric vehicle. Coal, methane and petroleum receive money from the government.

When people are free to use solar or wind, arguing whether it will ever work or not is against the Declaration of Independence; that clause “the pursuit of happiness.” People buy solar because it brings happiness.

There is another side, and that is the lingering rumors of wind and solar facilities built, not to produce energy, but to exploit tax laws.

Tom, in some ways we are using less per capita. Light bulbs gradually use less, and through SEER appliances use less energy as well. Electric vehicles use less power than burn fuel – even considering powering from the grid.

It is up to the public to decide. When people want solar or wind, they will buy it,

Boat on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 10:27 pm 



You know why they call Texas to Canada the wind corridor? Well……it’s windy. Go look at world wind map.

Sir Glenn on Sat, 9th Apr 2016 10:55 pm 



Paraguay, now gets 95% of it`s electricity from renewable sources of electricity. Iceland estimates that other than lubricants and chemicals, it will use no oil by 2020. Big money, sunk twice it`s investment $$ into renewable power than into “conventional last year.” Follow the money, and: once it`s a stampede, the “In” investment, you`re already too late.

dooma on Sun, 10th Apr 2016 1:27 am 



marmico I totally agree with you but what makes me laugh is that hydro-energy is not a constant as we well and truly found out during our 13 year drought (which is back again).

One state that derived the majority of it’s power from hydro. Tasmania had to quickly build RTA peaker-plants from the mainland until a massive cable was laid between the island state and the mainland, hooking it up to the natural grid.

In summary, hydro is only as good as the dam level behind it. And if your drought continues over there, wind and solar may beat it for a while.

dooma on Sun, 10th Apr 2016 1:28 am 



National grid I should say

Go Speed Racer on Sun, 10th Apr 2016 2:03 am 



People of Texas are far right. They would just assume still beat their wives. But they get influence from the rest of the country. Same with their windmills. They don’t want windmills in Texas, but they have them.

Still waiting for somebody to explain how something that wont produce energy without wind, is going to produce energy without wind.

I say reconnect the wires so that the generator is a motor… and use them for big fans to blow away all the clouds of legalized pot smoke.

joe on Sun, 10th Apr 2016 3:35 am 



Seems the ME is about to scramble for the last drop.
http://www.bloomberg.com/gadfly/articles/2016-04-10/saudi-arabia-oil-gambit-moves-to-phase-two
No doubt the damage theyll do to their mega feilds will mean the easy oil decline rate will be steep.

YosemiteDan on Sun, 10th Apr 2016 4:48 am 



Who told these Genius’ that wind and solar is cheaper. NO not without your tax dollars subsidizing this crap. All these people think it’s all cheaper. Where is their part? Where is their $ 7,000 solar water heater? Where is there $ 25000 furnace that is geothermal? What is it about an $ 85,000 dollar car that is subsidized down to $ 35,000? Without your subsidy, to the electric grid, your bill will triple. Where is this cheaper?

YosemiteDan on Sun, 10th Apr 2016 4:48 am 



Who told these Genius’ that wind and solar is cheaper. NO not without your tax dollars subsidizing this crap. All these people think it’s all cheaper. Where is their part? Where is their $ 7,000 solar water heater? Where is there $ 25000 furnace that is geothermal? What is it about an $ 85,000 dollar car that is subsidized down to $ 35,000? Without your subsidy, to the electric grid, your bill will triple. Where is this cheaper?

YosemiteDan on Sun, 10th Apr 2016 4:48 am 



Who told these Genius’ that wind and solar is cheaper. NO not without your tax dollars subsidizing this crap. All these people think it’s all cheaper. Where is their part? Where is their $ 7,000 solar water heater? Where is there $ 25000 furnace that is geothermal? What is it about an $ 85,000 dollar car that is subsidized down to $ 35,000? Without your subsidy, to the electric grid, your bill will triple. Where is this cheaper?

YosemiteDan on Sun, 10th Apr 2016 4:48 am 



Who told these Genius’ that wind and solar is cheaper. NO not without your tax dollars subsidizing this crap. All these people think it’s all cheaper. Where is their part? Where is their $ 7,000 solar water heater? Where is there $ 25000 furnace that is geothermal? What is it about an $ 85,000 dollar car that is subsidized down to $ 35,000? Without your subsidy, to the electric grid, your bill will triple. Where is this cheaper?

Davy on Sun, 10th Apr 2016 6:56 am 



“if you are intent on killing oil coal and gas you may as well admit you are desiring to demobilize and de-electrify the country.”
Right Brock, you are preaching a power down if you preach the above because renewables will never scale in time nor potency to replace fossil fuels. This is all fine and dandy but if you are preaching a power down then systematically you are preaching a collapse. Our global system with 7BIL people cannot be power downed by definition. The complexity, energy intensity, and the interconnectedness cannot be reduced. There is a minimum operating level to keep all the components connecting and keeping the stuff moving around.

This green transition preaching is the fallacy of the green washing. Highly intelligent people with good intentions deceiving themselves into believing more technology is going to continue the status quo or believing we can degrowth and not collapse. Climate change preachers are the same. They are deceiving themselves with we have to power down and we can still maintain society. Climate change preachers need to be honest and they need to face the “name your poison” of collapse we do collapse we don’t”. Which is worse mass death now or latter. I don’t know which will kill more in the end but that is the option. Does the possibility of extinction justify a forced mass die off?

There is no get out of jail free here in this modern surreal world of bottlenecks and overshoots within plenty. We can’t throw a cake and eat it party either. There is only one way forward and that is to embrace collapse or do the denial collapse dance. Both will lead to collapse but the denial collapse dance leads to poor decisions and more suffering and sooner. There are so many things we could do with the time and resources left that could lessen pain, suffering, and death.

Many of you here could give a shit about death. Many of you spout of the need for a quick die off if you were king. Some like to mention we deserve it like they believe in a hell without the religion. Many want lynching to satisfy those who have been downtrodden by the elites. That is a policy too it is called blame, complain, and finger point only at the level of deadly. Nature could give a shit about any of this. It is immaterial other than we are part of nature so in that sense it does matter to nature. In the grand earth ecosystem we are just another species that is facing a boom and bust.

We still have choices. We need to honestly face the science and honestly face the choices and make rational decisions. There are no perfect decisions but there are multiple bad decisions. Any decision that is rational and honest is a good one. Anything we could do that shows the better side of our humanity will give us some redemption as we slide into death and decay. Hope and empathy are a necessary for the innocent and the helpless.

We assholes on this board want to play God and talk like we are wise guys. We are an example of why the earth is fucked up. We are the clever ones that allowed our cleverness to deceive ourselves and we continue that deception. Yea, fossil fuels and renewables are all about damnation in a way. It is all about opening a door we should never have entered.

Davy on Sun, 10th Apr 2016 7:03 am 



“Paraguay, now gets 95% of it`s electricity from renewable sources of electricity. Iceland estimates that other than lubricants and chemicals, it will use no oil by 2020.”
Sir Glenn, that is BS because these countries’ survival is based on globalism so they are using fossil fuels and will never leave them. They are just an alternative energy hot spot. More green washing denial. I am not saying what they are doing is not noteworthy it is just keep things in perspective.

marmico on Sun, 10th Apr 2016 7:43 am 



We assholes on this board want to play God and talk like we are wise guys

Speak for yourself. Most posters on this board are sitting around with both thumbs stuck up their ass, keyboarding with their nose or dick. Many others are trying to figure out how to create efficiencies in gross and net energy.

That’s why the doom porn neo-Malthusian predictions have failed for 225 years.

Even if wind+solar can surpass nuclear by 2025, fossils will still represent ~75% of energy consumption by primary source.

makati1 on Sun, 10th Apr 2016 8:40 am 



Daniel, when the energy used to make those “energy savers” is factored in, I would bet a C-note ($100) that it is more than used during the lifetime of the item in most cases. Those ‘energy saver bulbs are made of materials from many countries, in a foreign country with all of the transport and handling between mine and socket, not to mention safe recycling at the end of it’s useful life. Total systems, not advertising bullshit.

Davy on Sun, 10th Apr 2016 8:47 am 



Marm, you are worse than an asshole, you are a psychopathic looser. Yet, you have some educational things to say so I read everything you post but as a person you are what can be termed a bag of shit.

Kenz300 on Sun, 10th Apr 2016 9:00 am 



Climate Change is real…… utilities need to deal with the cause (fossil fuels)

100% electric transportation and 100% solar by 2030

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBkND76J91k

Exxon’s Climate Change Cover-Up Is ‘Unparalleled Evil,’ Says Activist

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/exxon-evil-bill-mckibben_561e7362e4b028dd7ea5f45f?utm_hp_ref=green&ir=Green&section=green

marmico on Sun, 10th Apr 2016 9:37 am 



Marm, you are worse than an asshole

How is the newbie honey bee keeper keeping up with the colony collapse disorder (CCD)? There has been no collapse in domestic honey production since CCD was first identified in the U.S. in 2006.

http://eor-cpwebvarnish.newscyclecloud.com/storyimage/CP/20150325/ARTICLE/150329917/AR/0/AR-150329917.jpg&MaxW=600

Davy Greenacres is a neo-Malthusian fuctard.

Davy on Sun, 10th Apr 2016 9:39 am 



One fuctard to another Marmi but when SHTF you are going to be eating shoe leather and I will be eating goat. Piss on you. Got an Iphone ap for that you can dream up?

Buddygc on Sun, 10th Apr 2016 12:28 pm 



Read some history..

Whoever spends the most money to buy politicians win.

It’s not what’s best for the people or the economy or enviroment

It’s what’s best for lining their own pockets