Comments on: Ontario wind potential huge: GE Energy http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2006/10/26/ontario-wind-potential-huge-ge-energy/ Trends, happenings and innovations in the clean technology market Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:28:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Anonymous http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2006/10/26/ontario-wind-potential-huge-ge-energy/comment-page-1/#comment-712 Anonymous Sun, 29 Oct 2006 18:45:29 +0000 http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2006/10/26/ontario-wind-potential-huge-ge-energy/#comment-712 I think you have summarized the report well. The key issue, I think, is that wind can be integrated into Ontario, at minimal cost, and in substantial amount. The report doesn't say it, but wind can be integrated quickly as well. The report makes reference to the fact that the amount of wind, and the cost of wind integration, will very much depend our what we choose as our sources of new generation. If we choose nuclear, which cannot be easily shut down when not needed, the cost of wind integration is higher. If we choose water power, with even a little storage, and natural gas, which can be turned on and off quickly, then we can integrate more wind at lower cost. Our choices on the demand management side also matter a great deal. If smart meters (or other technology) were to allow us to shed or increase load quickly, then the cost to integrate wind becomes very low. Water heater and air conditioner loads come to mind as loads that can be varied quickly, with little impact on consumers. And as you mention, pumped storage, or hydrogen production, may also accomplish load management, allowing wind to be cheaply integrated. Levelling charges of conflict of interest at GE I think is a cheap shot. GE is the world's largest manufacturer of gas turbines, and a major player in supplying waterpower, nuclear, and coal generation equipment. Their market share in wind is less than their other technologies. And each of their divisions is a separate profit center. The consulting group is very likely to agnostic on the choices of new supply. And, this report is only one source of information that will be used by the OPA/OEB in deciding on future supply choices. I think you have summarized the report well. The key issue, I think, is that wind can be integrated into Ontario, at minimal cost, and in substantial amount. The report doesn’t say it, but wind can be integrated quickly as well. The report makes reference to the fact that the amount of wind, and the cost of wind integration, will very much depend our what we choose as our sources of new generation. If we choose nuclear, which cannot be easily shut down when not needed, the cost of wind integration is higher. If we choose water power, with even a little storage, and natural gas, which can be turned on and off quickly, then we can integrate more wind at lower cost. Our choices on the demand management side also matter a great deal. If smart meters (or other technology) were to allow us to shed or increase load quickly, then the cost to integrate wind becomes very low. Water heater and air conditioner loads come to mind as loads that can be varied quickly, with little impact on consumers. And as you mention, pumped storage, or hydrogen production, may also accomplish load management, allowing wind to be cheaply integrated.

Levelling charges of conflict of interest at GE I think is a cheap shot. GE is the world’s largest manufacturer of gas turbines, and a major player in supplying waterpower, nuclear, and coal generation equipment. Their market share in wind is less than their other technologies. And each of their divisions is a separate profit center. The consulting group is very likely to agnostic on the choices of new supply. And, this report is only one source of information that will be used by the OPA/OEB in deciding on future supply choices.

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