Wind Technology

Now one of the country’s largest sources of new power generation of any kind, in 2008, with over 8,500 megawatts (MW) installed, wind power provided 42% of all the new generating capacity added in the U.S., according to initial estimates, up from less than 2% of new capacity added in 2004.  The fact that wind poser is now mainstream is good news for our economy, our environment and our energy security.

 Protecting our environment;

 Wind power is a powerful climate change solution, ready to deliver emissions reductions that are (a) large in scale, (b) effective immediately and (c) affordable.  A 2008 report by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) found that wind energy could generate 20% of the nation’s electricity – what nuclear power generates today – by 2030 – nor is that a ceiling.  Rapid deployment is urgently needed from an environmental point of view alone: the power generation sector is the largest contributor of CO2 emissions in the U.S. economy, accounting for close to 40% of U.S. emissions each year.  As concerns about climate change become more urgent, wind power is an excellent option for rapidly and cost-effectively reducing emissions.

  •  Wind energy is one of the cleanest, most environmentally friendly energy sources in the world.
  • Wind energy produces no emissions.
  • Wind energy requires no mining, drilling, or transportation of fuel, and no disposal of radioactive or other hazardous or polluting waste.  It is a renewable energy resource found in abundant supply in many regions of the United States.

 Future of wind power;

 With increasingly competitive prices, growing environmental concerns, and the call to reduce dependence on  foreign energy sources, a strong future for wind power seems certain.  The World Wind Energy Association projects global wind capacity will double in size to over 120,000 MW by 2010, with much of the growth happening in the United States, India, and China.  Turbines are getting larger and more sophisticated, with land-based turbines now commonly in the 1-2 MW range, and offshore turbines in the 3-5 range.  The next frontiers for the wind industry are deep-water, off-shore and land based systems capable of operating at lower wind speeds.  Both technological advances will provide large areas for new development.

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