From KSTP-TV:
“Wind turbines placed in cities across Minnesota to generate power aren’t working because of the cold temperatures.
The Minnesota Municipal Power Association bought 11 turbines for $300,000 each from a company in Palm Springs, Calif.
Special hydraulic fluid designed for colder temperatures was used in the turbines, but it’s not working, so neither are the turbines.
There is a plan to heat the fluid, but officials must find a contractor to do the work.”
Somone should tell them that even if they heat the fluid, wind power at the extremes of temperatures still fails to deliver what it promises…
http://www.numberwatch.co.uk/2008%20February.htm
“Wind power is unavailable when it is very hot or very cold.
The reason is that extremes of temperature in winter and summer occur when there is a stationary high and when there is a stationary high the wind does not blow. We can put it another way
The only reliable thing about wind power is that you know it will not be there when you really need it.”