Wind Power
by Chris Tilley
Wind power is another important piece in the puzzle of clean renewable energy. Harnessing the power created by the wind is done by very large, very advanced turbines. The biggest is 6 MW and towers 135 meters – about the height of the Great Pyramid at Giza.(source)(source)
The Department of Energy says that 20% of America’s electricity can come from wind. (source) The Pickens Plan estimates that it would cost about one trillion dollars and another 200 billion to distribute wind generated electricity to where it is needed.(source) Pickens is currently building what will be the largest wind farm in the world. He has already placed an order for 667 1.5 MW General Electric turbines. These will be the first phase, cost 2 billion dollars, and will be able to generate 1000 MW. The entire project will provide 4000 MW. The original goal was for the project to be completed in 2014. (source)
T. Boone Pickens, a billionaire and highly successful owner of a large oil and gas company stated,
“You find an oilfield, it peaks and starts declining, and you’ve got to find another one to replace it, It can drive you crazy. With wind, there’s no decline curve.”
Trent Mesa Wind Power Facility – Sweetwater, TX – 150 MW
The GE 1.5 MW wind turbines are one of the most widely used turbines, with currently over 5000 deployed. That would be 7500 MW deployed. There are also 2.5 MW and 3.6 MW models for areas that have more wind.(source) The Trent Mesa Wind Power Facility uses 100 of the 1.5 MW wind Turbines
Wind power has grown by a factor of 5 over the last 7 years and is now at 94.1 GW installed worldwide. (source) This latter reference source also shows a nice table with the installed wind power by country. Germany is currently leading the way with just over 22 GW installed, the United States is second with just under 17 GW and Canada is 11th with 1.8 GW. On a usage basis, Denmark currently gets 19% of its electricity from wind turbines; on the same scale, currently the US gets 1% but that is growing and it is quite possible to get to that 20%.
So, wind power is a rapidly growing piece of the puzzle to a greener cleaner future. As more governments put a price on carbon dioxide emissions this technology will become more competitive. Currently it compares well with production from new natural gas plants, and with charges being levied on carbon dioxide, it can become competitive with coal.(source)
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Pingback by Windecoltd.co.cc Blogs » Blog Archive » Run For One Planet Blog » Wind Power — Monday, November 24, 2008 @ 4:52 am
[…] with renewables like wind and solar.(source)
Pingback by Run For One Planet Blog » Repowering America — Sunday, December 28, 2008 @ 10:02 pm
Good story… yes wind power is growing! I made my own wind generator at home and it’s saving me a ton on my electric bill!
Comment by DIY Green Energy — Thursday, July 1, 2010 @ 2:28 am