Smaller And Smarter  

Scoop has an interesting viewpoint from New Zealand, arguing that smaller power generation plants make for a better, more competitive energy market - Smaller and Smarter Wind Energy.

A smarter way to achieve sustainable electricity in New Zealand was presented to the Energy Trusts of NZ conference in Wellington today by Windflow Technology Chief Executive and Director Geoff Henderson.

Mr Henderson told attendees at the Powering the People themed conference that, “the trend towards very large wind farms of several hundred megawatts using very large turbines is concerning for New Zealand”. His presentation was titled "Smaller and Smarter Wind Energy”.

“The media is increasingly reporting local opposition to these types of projects, and the large ‘lumpy’ investments that they propose are not conducive to creation of a competitive electricity market which could deliver lower and more stable electricity prices”.

Mr Henderson's presentation showed that large energy projects such as the 360 megawatt Taranaki Combined Cycle plant caused electricity prices to drop initially, then long gaps between new large lumps of generation caused a "feast and famine" cycle which cause price instability.

This lumpy investment problem is being repeated in the wind industry based on a false economic argument for “bigger is better”. This is a myth, he said, with smaller turbines actually being cheaper than larger turbines on an installed megawatt basis.

He also stressed the lower environmental and social impacts of “smaller and smarter” wind energy projects. “Smaller is smarter for New Zealand for many reasons, and with the right competitive market conditions, the country will be better off with this model in the long run”. Mr Henderson concluded.