USA Today (June 2013) reports the same thing we read last Thursday in Spiegel Online, that Germany's wind power projects have cost German consumers dearly. They are not working out satisfactorily as a replacement for nuclear power, per Germany's intention after the Fukushima, Japan, tsunami and nuclear disaster.
Wind and solar power are often mentioned together as the most promising of alternative energy options. Wind has some disadvantages in comparison though: wind turbulence is created by landscape features, and, unlike solar, it involves mechanical moving parts that can break down.
The author reports, first, that our government has held up Germany and Spain as successful leaders to be followed in the development of wind or solar. But Germany and Spain seem to have decided their efforts so far are un-successful.
The author reports, second, that our government may guarantee a $2 billion loan from a foreign bank to the Cape Wind project in Massachusetts.
Considering actual results in Germany and Spain, and considering our previous wasted loan guarantees, I hope they think that through very carefully.
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