| Valley winds create megawatts of
power
TXU Energy of Texas has proposed a plant to build 3,000 MW of new wind energy in Texas, according to a report in the Mat Su valley Frontiersman. Because wind in Texas blows mostly at night and enegy-intensive air
conditioner use rises with the triple-digit temperature during the day, TXU,
in conjunction with Shell, had to find a way to store energy for use when it
is most needed. The Airsource Technology, used in prototype projects in Iowa
and Ala., could bridge this gap, said Kleckner. Nighttime electricity from TXU's wind turbines will be used to run air
compressors that fill huge chambers dug under the Texas scrub brush,
Kleckner said. During the heat of the day this air will be released,
spinning turbines that resemble those used in natural gas generators.
Interested in a subscription to Power Engineering Magazine?
|