The electricity a wind farm uses itself
A wind farm can become an electricity customer when the wind drops. Its own meters reveal the motors, controls and heaters behind that change of direction.
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About the author
Amara Finch
I write about energy systems, from stored heat to the changing output of a power plant. My interests include measurement, system boundaries and the practical differences between a promising device and a working network.
I build each essay around a concrete question, read the underlying sources and separate observed results from interpretation. I want the details to remain clear enough that a reader can follow the argument and examine the evidence.
Stories by Amara Finch
5 stories
Pumped storage starts with two reservoirs
Pumped storage lifts water when electricity is available and sends it downhill when the grid needs it. The reservoirs hold the energy; the head, machinery and landscape set the limits.
What a solar panel rating leaves to the weather
The wattage on a solar module is a measurement at agreed test conditions. Sun angle, cloud, cell temperature, shade, wiring and the inverter determine what reaches a meter over time.
The useful heat left in a hot-water tank
A tank's litres and average temperature can hide the hot layer that actually serves the next draw. Stratification preserves useful delivery temperature; mixing, flow and standby losses change what remains available.
Why a battery has more than one measure of health
A full charge, remaining capacity, power delivery and future life are different battery questions. Good measurements name the task, test conditions and limits of each result.