Hurricane Patricia: rain, wind, and lots of money to wind power corporations

More wind means more cost to you: millions lost in just two October days
More wind means more cost to you: millions lost in just two October days

 

Hurricane Patricia: rain, wind and money to Ontario’s wind generators 

All the talk about Hurricane Patricia’s potential devastation faded quickly, but the media forgot to note the hit to Ontario ratepayers caused by the storm as it made its way across the continent.  The devastation to electricity ratepayers wasn’t caused by the rainfall, it was due to heavy winds and their ability to generate cash for industrial wind power projects.
In the two days Hurricane Patricia’s lashed Ontario, the generation of electricity from wind turbines set numerous records of an hourly and daily basis.  My good friend Scott Luft documented the records over October 28th and October 29th and found three of the top 20 hourly records were produced on the 28th, and 10 were set on the 29th with the highest being hour 16 when 3,297 megawatt hours (MWh) of power were generated. October 29th also set the daily record of 70,003 MWh surpassing October 28’s 65,421 MWh.
Wind power lobbyist CanWEA is sure to brag about this as combined production from those two days indicates wind generation produced 132,424 MWh, or 18.1% of Ontario’s total demand.
Spring and Fall in Ontario are generally times when power demand is lower as air conditioners and furnaces etc. are not running.   In July, for example, total wind power production in 31 days was only 395,800 MWh; in just two days in October, the wind turbines generated 33.4% of what it took them to generate in all of July!  Also, in July, average Ontario demand was 16,270 MW per hour and the peak demand was in excess of 22,500 MW, whereas in the two days of wind’s record generation Ontario’s peak demand was 17,391 MW and average demand was 15,250 MW. Once again, we have a demonstration that wind power is produced out-of-phase with Ontario demand.
Looking at the relative costs is key to get a sense of the “value for money” that wind generation presents.   If one looks at the 65,421 MWh of generation from IWT on October 28 the cost of that production (to ratepayers) was $127/MWh, so production costs were $7.9
Million, but the market valued that production via the hourly Ontario electricity price (HOEP) at only $23.80/MWh—that’s a value of just $1.5 million but it cost ratepayers $6.4 million.
On October 29, power production from wind of 70,003 MWh cost ratepayers $8.9 million, but the HOEP value was only $1.2 million, meaning a loss of $7.7 million.  For just those two October days ratepayers were forced to absorb $14 million in costs.
The post-Patricia events of those two days include the export of 100,752 MWh of power surplus to our needs; if we attribute all of those exports to wind the revenue generated from selling it to our neighbours in New York, Michigan, etc. would be about $2 million but the costs would have been $12.8 million. That means Ontario’s electricity customers absorbed another $12 million because of  surplus production.
How many nurses Ontario could have rehired, or diabetes strips provided, or cataract operations performed for the $12 or $14 million blown away in just those two windy October days? The Wynne government has no idea how to manage the electricity sector.
© Parker Gallant,
November 1, 2015
 

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20 Comments

  • Mike Jankowski
    Posted November 2, 2015 8:59 am 0Likes

    I reported to the MoE&CC’s office that during the early morning of Oct 29th, the pulsating noise and vibration from the HAF Wind Farm was the most intense it had ever been in our home. I suspect the turbines were at max speed and the Wind was capable of making them go faster, as was noted in Steven Cooper’s Cape bridgewater study as a specific operating mode which made people feel worse. This has left me with ears ringing louder and dizziness worse.
    Regrettably, I suspect these noises and impacts were drowned out by money. I have no kind words for this bad principle.

    • John Vincent
      Posted November 2, 2015 9:18 am 0Likes

      I have no doubt the wind mills were at the height of their noise production, however, they weren’t going any faster than any other time since they are paralled to the electric power system. However, the wind is attempting to drive them faster, but can’t, because of their tie to the power system and that results in extra strain and vibrations on the blades, with the result the machine produces power to the max of its abilities. Imagine if all these machines were producing power to the max all the time. Whew.

  • Mike Jankowski
    Posted November 2, 2015 9:32 am 0Likes

    There are of course other variables which impact the noise we in our home are subject to. I agree with your statements around the operating mode and thanks for them.
    However I disagree with your statement “they weren’t going any faster than any other time” – they do achieve differing rotation speeds within a specified range influenced by wind and as I can hear and feel their emissions, I stated with certainty they were rotating the fastest I’ve ever noted through the emissions in our home. I suspect you intended to say something like they have a spec’ed max rotational speed and had not exceeded that, which I would agree with.
    Then again, we don’t have to agree!
    Thanks,
    Mike

    • Sommer
      Posted November 2, 2015 10:06 am 0Likes

      Mike, the victims who I communicate with in Huron County were in sheer misery as well during that time. The atmospheric conditions intensified the negative impacts.
      Some had to seek refuge and leave their homes. Some were forced to remain in their basements. Some were incapacitated…unable to function.
      This is so wrong.

    • John Vincent
      Posted November 2, 2015 12:21 pm 0Likes

      Mike, when a generator or synchronous motor is paralled to the electrical power system it travels at a preset speed governed by system frequency of the system and the number of poles in the machine. that’s physics, it doesn’t change. The sound can and does change if more load is put on either. An induction motor will experience a small degree of slip with more load on it. In the wind mills, the blades are coupled through a gear box to the generator.. Hence with the generator coupled to the power system, it can’t run any faster than the system frequency and the number of poles on the generator allow. that’s physics. Again, as the wind tries to drive the windmill harder, more strain is put on the blades, and a greater sound will emanate.

      • Mike Jankowski
        Posted November 2, 2015 12:47 pm 0Likes

        Hi John,
        I understand the AC Generator theory you cite, and thank you for it. But modern Turbines employ a shaft coupling system which allows them to operate over a range of blade rotational speeds which thereby increase the range of Wind Speeds they can operate over. (Decreasing stress on components in higher Wind speed conditions.)
        Here is a link to the Specification Sheet for the Vestas V100 1.8 MW units installed is our area. http://www.hafwindenergy.ca/PDF/rea/1104037_Wind_Turbine_Spec_Report_Combined_20April12.pdf
        There you will see the blades spin at different speeds over a range of 9.3-16.6 RPM.
        Albeit – a limited range. To me, Oct 29th, noise emissions in our home indicated a rotational speed 25-33% faster than I typically hear/feel.
        Everything else you said, I concur with.

        • John Vincent
          Posted November 2, 2015 4:05 pm 0Likes

          Mike: Thanks for the heads up and the link. Just learned something new. I’d like to see more detail on that coupling. They don’t seem to say much about it the tech sheets.

          • Mike Jankowski
            Posted November 2, 2015 5:13 pm 0Likes

            Hi John – a pleasure. This is constructive discussion. I agree the tech sheets look more like Sales brochures than tech sheets. I am happy HAF still has it available.

        • John Vincent
          Posted November 2, 2015 9:53 pm 0Likes

          Mike: for your interest, I’ve locateed a more techincal write up on variable speed wind turbine drives: http://www.digsilent.ru/tl_files/digsilent/files/services-references/PaperDelft_DIgSILENT_Voith.pdf
          This seems to center on Voith variable speed drives (which I’ve worked with in the past) but is one type of several used.
          From what I can tell the idea is to take the “shock” of wind variables out of the coupling arrangement with the geneartor “physically” coupled to the power system. Instead of trying to restrain a turning 7 ton weight quickly, the variable drive acts as a cushion to enable the drive system to live longer under varying wind conditions, and electrical trips or reclosures of the generator.

          • Mike Jankowski
            Posted November 4, 2015 11:39 am 0Likes

            Thanks John.

  • Pat Cusack
    Posted November 2, 2015 11:38 am 0Likes

    The Premier has got to go!!!

  • Pet
    Posted November 2, 2015 6:04 pm 0Likes

    good idea , with a t shirt that says why

  • Johana
    Posted November 3, 2015 10:27 am 0Likes

    Once again, Parker, thanks for a wonderFUL article.
    And, Mike, all I can say is I’m glad you can still put forward a fascinating scientific explanation about why the 18 Vestas 1.65 MW IWTs jammed in within 3 km of my house have exacerbated the dizziness I experienced such that after the first two ALMOST falls, I realized I had to stop moving around or I might end up in hospital for the 8th time, this time with broken bones.
    If I can get my head together, I’m going to try to engage the Ombudsman again. I can’t get a straight answer from his/her office – I’ve been told there is an interim Ombuds, but no one will tell me who s/he is and as for launching a Public Inquiry into the MALFUNCTIONING Ministries dealing with this fraud/scam [MoECC,MoHLTC], Wynnie is darned sure she’ll never let that happen.

    • Mike Jankowski
      Posted November 3, 2015 11:44 am 0Likes

      I receive this information with regret. I was also observed by my broader family stumbling on October 30th after a night of being bombarded by intense and pulsating Infrasound and Low Frequency. I have had perfect balance and exercise 3-5 times a week – so this is abnormal and connected to observations over a period of time.
      I was also in contact with the Ombudsman’s office. It was another door which closed. They tried to be helpful, but they can only deal with whether or not existing guidance and procedures has been followed correctly, they cannot do anything about the fact the existing permitting and enforcement noise guidelines are grossly lacking. Another narrowly focused arm.
      I suggest the following;
      – Log how you feel as often as you can noting day and time your condition changed. Also note any observations. (Ie: WInd Turbine emissions / Wind Direction relative to your home.
      – In the same log, note what you did about it – Ie: If you experience a symptom you suspect is related to IWT noise emissions, Contact the MoE Regional Office (During the day) or the Spills Hotline (After 4pm) and also report same to the corporation operating the Wind Farm. (By law, they must forward info about the IWTs at the time you experienced the change in symptom(s))
      – Note: The MoE&CC will not respond to any reports greater than 1,500m away from the nearest IWT, and if they did respond, they do not consider Infrasound and some low frequency noise emissions, nor characteristic, nor do they measure for a long enough period of time – but still log every event with them. If we do not, they will state they are listening and few are complaining.
      – Enagage in a medical diagnostic process with your family practitioner. They also need to know and while no formal diagnostic criteria is in operation, you need to rule out other potential causes. (We have to hope we are wrong about the cause – it would make our lives simpler, but so far, we have ruled out other causes over the course of a year.
      – Consider contacting your public health unit. Find yours here: http://www.ontario.ca/locations/health/index.php?lang=en&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=public%20health%20units&utm_campaign=HCO%20|%20Public%20Health%20Units
      I hope this helps.
      We should stay in touch and combine our wellness information perhaps. Central collection is necessary to show a pattern. (Without violating privacy.) I could design a form which could take input.
      Thanks,
      Mike

    • Wind Concerns Ontario
      Posted November 3, 2015 12:01 pm 0Likes

      Ontario has not yet appointed a new Ombudsman. The Office is still reviewing complaints from the public and municipalities but has determined that they can look only at the approval process for problems. That said, the events last week at Ostrander Point ERT may work toward encouraging the Ombudsman to do a formal review of the approval process.

    • Barbara
      Posted November 3, 2015 4:23 pm 0Likes

      Maybe the IWT host landowners got a good dose of the “noise” too !!! But they can’t complain due to gag orders they agreed to.

  • Tracy
    Posted November 4, 2015 12:13 am 0Likes

    Mike,
    These are all very good observations and practices. There are a few of us from the Clear Creek area who have been doing everything you have mentioned: observing, documenting, reporting, confering with doctors and specialists from around the world; who have been researching for decades: the infrasound emitted from industrial wind turbines and the negative health impacts of exposure to infrasound. We have beat our heads against the wall non stop. I truly believe some of my neighbors have died from the negative health impact due to exposure to industrial wind turbine lfw. I honestly think that if I had not left my home surrounded by wind turbines five yeas ago, I wouldn’t be here today. My medical issues and history are unbelievable. Before the onslaught of the iwts, I was a very healthy muddle aged woman.
    The humiliation I continue to experience is ongoing and almost unbearable. I have been robbed of my home, my family, my livelihood.
    The fact of the matter is, the government will not listen. What continues to go on is unethical, fraudulent, criminal.
    I spoke with you briefly at a meeting in Norfolk County chambers. The health effects you are experiencing are just the tip if the ice berg. Realize that the harm caused by the lfws is serious and permanent. I have advised you to move your family away from the turbines at all cost. It is possible. As a parent, I would do everything in my power to protect my family.
    My standard of living and quality of life have suffered significantly. Bottom line, I have survived. Quite frankly, I’ve really had enough. I have yet to give up the fight.
    Some of us have multiple university degrees. This does not make us any better or any smarter than those who do not. We are country folk; prefer the natural beauty and serenity of our environment, before the turbine development. We are not stupid people.
    I cannot stress enough, in the best interest of the health and well being of those living in the vicinity of industrial wind turbines, it is imperative that one relocates their family away from the wind turbines immediately.
    I will say it again,

    • Mike Jankowski
      Posted November 4, 2015 11:45 am 0Likes

      Hi Tracy,
      I recall our meeting and thank you for it. I appreciate your insights. Many in my situation can’t sell their homes. It was our dream home and our llifetime’s investment. Whether it would be easy or not, I take your point. I have not given up yet either!
      Thank you,
      Mike

  • Tracy
    Posted November 4, 2015 3:15 pm 0Likes

    Im sorry Mike, is it not the fact that you can’t sell your home or is it that you really choose not to leave it? Reality of the situation really does suck. You’d be surprised how resourceful you can be when it comes right down to it. I have literally lived in a shack since I left my home. It was not winterized; there was no running water. This is what I could afford while continuing to pay the mortgage on my toxic home, and a place I could keep my pets-my dog and cat that had been with me for ten years at the time, not quite as long as I had lived there. I brought water in, bathed in the lake, showered in public facilities. It was pathetic. This was certainly not the standard of living I was accustomed to or was comfortable with.
    I continued to go to work, teaching high school until I could no longer hold up. My blood pressure was unmanageable, which put me in grave danger with the brain aneurism I have developed.
    I will also mention something that is disturbing to me: apparently ~ 25% of the population is susceptible to negative health effects from living by industrial wind turbines. I believe in time, it will be realized that everyone exposed to lfws suffers damage. Lfws can penetrate up to 3 inches into the body, causing damage to tissue and to bone. This is not immediately observed. Mine was confirmed when I had a transient ischemic attack. I have had a few more since, noted as “spot on the brain. An MRI also showed numerous lesions in my brain. My bones are also very fragile. A bone density test indicated this after I broke my ribs. I had a simple fall on the stairs (I often become dizzy).
    Some people effected, myself included develop cognitive issues, vision and hearing loss, weight gain, and increased level of cortisol. I often had bloodwork checking cortisol levels; 200-400 is the normal range in a day. My levels were in the 800 range when I was home. I was lethargic, symptoms included vomiting, diarrhea, hemorrhaging, a spike in blood pressure. These symptoms subsided when I left my home, many times and slept in my vehicle in the cold winter nights. I returned home early morning showered and dragged my butt into school where I would stay until 6-7 in the evening; went home to eat, go to bed ~ 9:00 and leave a couple hours later to get away from the turbines. I think of the reality of the situation in hindsight. It is unbelievably bizarre, crazy.
    Putting yourself in danger is one thing. Permitting others to live in a dangerous situation is not right. Because of the absence of vomitting etc., it does not appear that one is effected from exposure to lfws. The infrasound does penetrate ones body as it does another. The damage is not immediately observed, but is there, in many cases is permanent and with great potential to be fatal. Infrasound is yet but another silent killer.
    As I had once mentioned, among the deaths from back home, the youngest was a 52 year old man who suddenly died of a heart attack. A 45 year old woman committed suicide, two others developed severe dementia and have been relocated to care homes; I could go on. Kids, the elderly and women are the most susceptible to I’ll illness caused by LFN.
    Please do not throw your kids under the bus. You can remove your family from harms way.
    So here I am, miserable; not being able to do what I love most, teaching. I suffer from shingles on the left side of my face, this has been ongoing and appears may be something that will be with me for life. I have a painful condition tmj, cartilage damage is debilitating.
    Some people think I’m crazy! It is hurtful and humiliating. Others, some friends included, think I should be in the classroom. Apparently one in my condition sitting home with a disability income is not acceptable! What is not acceptable is I have been robbed of my health, my home, job, family and friend relationships. If my choices included having the life I had, it would be a no brainer; like winning a lottery.
    The truth is, my choices, does not include living the life I had planned and worked hard for. Options for me would be to continue as is, the best that I can; move back to my house in Clear Creek, develop and increase the same health issues as before living amongst the turbines and have a slow drawn out death and likely die of a stroke; or of course as anyone can, choose to end my life immediately! Oh, that is a nasty thought! On the bright side of that, the remainder of my mortgage would be paid, my children would have a great inheritance including my life insurance, and, I would be relieved of my mysery.
    Spinning the big wheel in life is not an option. Make decisions, long term, look at the big picture; not decisions based on money but in the best interest of your family, so they may have the opportunity for a long, happy, healthy life.
    What continues and is orchestrated by our government is unconstitutional. The renewable energy business is based on selfishness and greed. It is blood money, plain and simple. I am one of who knows how many, whose life has been destroyed by the likes of Mike Crawley and other CEO’s and or politicians who are now multi millionaires at the expense of the rural people of Ontario.
    I guarantee, even in my death, this fight will continue on my behalf. This insanity will end. Everyone of those bastards, including Crawley, McGuinty, Wynne will be held accountable for what they have done. There is no immunity. There will be justice, fines and sentencing inclusive.
    Shame on the disrespect shown to those who went to war for us. The respect goes far beyond the day of November 11.
    Any one who voted Liberal has no right, in their ignorance, to complain about anything.
    As to our new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, it’s time to walk the talk. Put our money in our pockets, not in the likes of those of Liberal colleagues/hackers, former Federal Liberal Party President Mike Crawley for one, who is also former CEO of AIM Powergen. Compensation and every penny he made and continues to make including the subsides received, should be given to the residents of Clear Creek who were forced to live in dangerous conditions due to the industrial wind turbine development too close to their homes. This still does not justify the damage done.

    • Johana
      Posted November 22, 2015 10:10 pm 0Likes

      Bravo, Tracy.
      What a tour de force!
      You have spoken truly on behalf of all Victims of Industrial Wind Turbines [IWTs], not only for your self and the residents of Clear Creek. We are eternally grateful for the analysis and clarity with which you expressed the fraud which is being perpetrated by Mike Crawley, AIM Power Gen, IPC, GDF – Suez, the MoE, now the MoE &CC, the Liberal Party and the gang of politicians, McGuinty, Wynne, the Federal Liberals who invented the Wind Power Production Incentive, who are complicit, the list goes on and on….. …………………………….

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