Great synopsis from Bloomberg on the less-than-smooth sailing for wind (or solar) energy, given the nature of our electricity grid. (I cover these issues in my study on Texas wind energy, if you want to read more.) From Bloomberg:
President Barack Obama’s push for wind and solar energy to wean the U.S. from foreign oil carries a hidden cost: overburdening the nation’s electrical grid and increasing the threat of blackouts.
The funding Obama devoted to get high-voltage lines ready for handling the additional load of alternative supplies is less than 5 percent of the $130 billion that power users, producers and the U.S. Energy Department say is needed.