Posted: Apr 03, 2013 7:48 am
Nuclear power and coal fired stations have the same problem - demand fluctuates!
Baseload with predictable power allows the grid to work.
The problem is not fluctuating demand with wind but fluctuating supply.
Energy Revolution Hiccups: Grid Instability Has Industry Scrambling for Solutions
By Catalina Schröder
Sudden fluctuations in Germany's power grid are causing major damage to a number of industrial companies. While many of them have responded by getting their own power generators and regulators to help minimize the risks, they warn that companies might be forced to leave if the government doesn't deal with the issues fast.
snip
It was 3 a.m. on a Wednesday when the machines suddenly ground to a halt at Hydro Aluminium in Hamburg. The rolling mill's highly sensitive monitor stopped production so abruptly that the aluminum belts snagged. They hit the machines and destroyed a piece of the mill. The reason: The voltage off the electricity grid weakened for just a millisecond.
This does not happen with baseload power plants to anywhere near the degree that a high percentage of renewables engenders with their fluctuating supply.
It's a good read
http://www.spiegel.de/international/ger ... 50419.html
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There is no oxymoron in ethical capitalism, one is a personal or corporate approach to responsible operation ( be the ethical issues treatment of staff, environment or adherence to the spirit of a law for instance. )
The other is employment of capital to produce real wealth with capital earning a return.
Mores emerging over time backed by laws ( ie child labour was moral and legal at one time and is not now ) and the real wealth that allows the finer aspects of work versus leisure...ie shorter work weeks, maternity leave, pay equality etc.
A materially wealthy society can support many marginally productive but enjoyable activities, music, arts , sports etc while poor or emerging societies struggle to feed, clothe and house.
Mores and expectations change over time and with circumstance and I'm sure in a future where say 13 year olds were found to the best defenders against cyberattacks,,,,,they would be gainfully employed ...or drafted
