“Installed capacity” – the big misleader?
As we all know, the press can be a little “creative” sometimes with there reporting. Some would say this is creative licence. Some would say that this is to create readership through speculation etc. This is ok and it is widely accepted.
What is frustrating though is when an article which presents data does not qualify it which, in turn, misleads the readership.
As a reader of cleantech and renewable energy news you will often see reference to “Installed Capacity”. The wee problem with this is that installed capacity is the maximum possible output that can be achieved. If you are interested to know, for instance, what a wind farm will generate rather than what it might then you need to look a little deeper. A good rule of thumb is to assume that the operational capacity is about 25% of the installed capacity (note – it’s a rule of thumb, not an absolute measure).
Why is this important?
Well, take an article such as this one – Wind hits 4GW barrier – now powers 2.3 million homes in UK
You will note that that 4GW that is referenced is installed capacity.
BWEA is the trade and professional body for the UK wind and marine renewables industries and so they won’t be deliberately trying to mislead anyone.
We have a vision that Scotland can be a global pioneer in the Cleantech and Renewable Energy industry.
A key way to support this is to build a community, a hub, where those with common interests and expertise can collaborate freely. Cleantech Scotland will be this hub.