Wind Power Out West Gets a Boost

We've been led to believe that one of the biggest problems with wind power is that the wind is intermittent and unsuitable for our current power grid. In addition, wind sometimes gets a bad rap as a replacement for coal. Well, the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) has just released a study (Western Wind and Solar Integration Study) that essentially says, "that the power grid for five western states could operate on as much as 30 percent wind and 5 percent solar without the construction of extensive new infrastructure or a lot of backup generation." That's good news for wind and now gives a bit more incentive to wind farm financiers and developers. Thanks for NREL and its ability to bring in reason and fact to our energy debate.