In the last letter we spoke of using coal gasification as a way to instantly generate electric power when there is no wind to drive the windmills. The current lack of instant on power generation from coal fired boiler plants has been the primary reason our electric companies have been slow to adopt windmills. This new dynamic combination of wind power coupled with instant on gasification turbines will now make mass wind mill deployment possible.

Despite common knowledge, windmills have been around doing work since biblical days. Starting out pumping water and grinding wheat, it’s only recently that we have added electric generators. These generators operate under the same simple principle as the generators currently used in our cars and trucks. The windmills of today are extremely durable because they only turn at 22 revolutions per minute. The designed capability to feather the blade allows us to avoid the stress of sudden and dramatic changes in wind speed that would otherwise damage the inner workings of the system. These dependable long-life systems will be around for 20 years at which time they will be rebuilt with new bearings and other wearable parts. These remanufactured wind generators will then be around for another 20 years at which time the process will be repeated again! Since the original tower, turret and concrete footing need little to no maintenance, windmill companies have been willing to sign contracts with land owners that last 75 years. Imagine buying stock in a utility company whose power generators would continue making a return to your children and your grandchildren without creating any pollution.

There is another huge bonus to the windmill gasification combination mentioned above. As gasification will give birth to the mass deployment of windmills, so will the mass deployment of windmills give birth to the hydrogen fuel industry as a way to store their surplus electric generating capacity. Wind is the gift that keeps on giving, generation after generation, in an environmentally sound manner. Thanks from Ray and the students of 3240.

Raymond Olson
Fundamentals of Energy Sources 3240
Dept. of Renewable Energy