Wind energy bumps into power grid's limits [National Wind Watch]

When the builders of the Maple Ridge Wind farm spent $320 million to put nearly 200 wind turbines in upstate New York, the idea was to get paid for producing electricity. But at times, regional electric lines have been so congested that Maple Ridge has been forced to shut down even with a brisk wind blowing.

That is a symptom of a broad national problem. Expansive dreams about renewable energy, like Al Gore’s hope of replacing all fossil fuels in a decade, are bumping up against the reality of a power grid that cannot handle the new demands.

Campaigners to fly blimp over wind farm site [National Wind Watch]

Anti-wind farm protestors will launch a blimp over Sempringham Fen close to the site of a proposal for a six-turbine wind farm near Billingborough and Pointon.

Members of AGAST will fly the huge blimp at around 395ft, which is the height of the turbines planned by ScottishPower Renewables, on Saturday and Sunday.

No more turbines! We've got enough in Cornwall [National Wind Watch]

Communities in North Cornwall are battling to stop the county’s biggest wind farm from dominating the skyline over Bodmin Moor.

Emergency meetings have been called by Camelford Town Council and parish councillors following a similar move last week by Davidstow parish council which saw 200 angry residents pack Otterham village hall.

Millions wasted on wind power planning [National Wind Watch]

The wind power industry has spent at least NOK 100 million on projects that are unrealistic at the outset, according to the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE).

The main reason is that the existing national grid does not have the capacity to carry the added power from more than a third of the wind powered generators that the industry itself wants to build.