via tecman #34:
The comment I got from the local rangers was that the 1/3 of the total load supplied by the turbine made desalination of potable water feasible, reducing the drain on the water table in the face of increasingly dry seasons. I see that's also reflected in the Rottnest Authority info.
Actually, its 26% of the load. Fluctuates like the wind from year to year. Great for business planning...
http://www.rottnestisland.com/docs/s...3.pdf?sfvrsn=0
2013/14 report, page 25:
"...All power requirements for the Island are generated on-site using a combination of diesel generators and a wind turbine. The RIA generates, distributes and retails power under licence from the Economic Regulation Authority.
The total power generated during the year was 4.9m kilowatts, of which 1.2m kilowatts (26%) was generated by the Island’s wind turbine, and the balance supplied through diesel generation.
The wind turbine generated the equivalent of 342,000 litres of diesel fuel, saving the RIA an estimated $490,000..."
Hmmm... now have they taken the diesel fuel rebate outa that..
...And what about all that extra maintenance... diesel generators running poorly while the wind power fluctuates all over the shop. Generators using diesel whilst on 'standby' mode to that glorious wind tower. Generators wearing out sooner then expected because of costly mis-use.....
And then there's that third rung of maintenance engineers required. No longer just the electrician and diesel mech, now there's the highly paid wind turbine maintenance crews working way up above the ground. Wonder what monetary percentage of the maintenance contract is sourced out to wind 'power' specialists..
Considering the Rottnest island wind 'power' generator stacks up poorly compared to diesel power, think how any wind 'power' generators stack up against the far, far more efficient coal power stations.
Something else to consider. There has been prior wind 'power' generator(s?) on Rottnest - very expensive disasters apparently. Should not all that wasted money be tacked onto the total costs of the Rottnest island wind 'power' fiasco..
The "drain on the water table"... Having a brief scan of some of the liturature on the subject ah dont see no reference to dry seasons. Do though see there has been more accommodation built. i.e., more people using water. There is also reference made to the tree planting being done that would reduce ground water.
http://www.water.wa.gov.au/Publicati...rst/107320.pdf
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