Wind Facts
The Science of Wind
Wind energy is transformed form of Sun’s energy. Sun heats unequally different parts of the Earth that results in different air pressures and wind arises because of the air pressures equalization’s tendencies. There are parts of the Earth on which so called constant (planetary) winds are blowing and these areas have best profitability when it comes to using the wind energy. Good positions are ocean’s coastlines and sea main
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Wind Cost
The cost of buying and installing a small wind energy system typically ranges from about $3,000-6,000 per kilowatt for a grid-connected installation, less than half the cost of a similar solar electric system. The length of the payback period (or, the time it takes to “break even”) depends on the system you choose, the wind resource at your site, your power provider’s electricity rates, and financing and incentives available. Small wind owners with strong average wind speeds who can take advantage of rebate programs can usually recoup their investments within ten to fifteen years.
Source: American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)
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Wind Production
The U.S. wind energy industry installed over 10,000 MW of new wind power generating capacity in 2009, the largest year in U.S. history, and enough to power the equivalent of 2.4 million homes or generate as much electricity as three large nuclear power plants
- In industry rankings, GE Energy remained #1 in U.S. wind turbine sales; NextEra Energy Resources continued to lead in wind farm ownership; and Xcel Energy continued to lead utilities in wind power usage. At the same time, however, more companies are now active in each of these areas, showing that the wind energy market is diversifying as it expands.
- There are 36 states that have utility-scale wind projects and 14 states are in the “Gigawatt Club” with more than 1,000 MW of installed wind capacity per state
- In state rankings, Iowa leads in terms of percentage of electricity from wind power, getting 14% of its power from the wind, and also leads in highest number of jobs in the manufacturing sector. Texas consolidated its lead in wind capacity and in largest wind farms installed.
Source: American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)
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The report’s section on manufacturing shows that in spite of a slowdown in wind turbine manufacturing in 2009 compared to 2008, 10 new manufacturing facilities came online in the U.S. last year, 20 were announced, and nine facilities were expanded. The largest category was wind turbine sub-components, such as bearings, electrical components and hydraulic systems. In all, the U.S. wind energy industry opened, announced or expanded over 100 facilities in the past three years (2007- 2009), bringing the total of wind turbine component manufacturing facilities now operating in the U.S. to over 200.
- All 50 states have jobs in the wind industry.
- Approximately 85,000 people are employed in the wind industry today and hold jobs in areas as varied as turbine component manufacturing, construction and installation of wind turbines, wind turbine operations and maintenance, legal and marketing services, transportation and logistical services, and more.
- To ensure a skilled workforce across the wind energy industry, 205 educational programs now offer a certificate, degree, or coursework related to wind energy. Of these 205 programs, the largest segments are university and college programs (45%) and community colleges or technical school programs (43%).
Source: American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)
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Despite the economic downturn, the demand for small wind systems for residential and small business use (rated capacity of 100 kW or less) grew 15% in 2009, adding 20 MW of generating capacity to the nation. Seven small wind turbine manufacturing facilities were opened, announced or expanded in 2009.
- Offshore wind power is gaining momentum in the U.S. The report lists seven projects with significant progress in the planning, permitting, and testing process. Both the federal government and several states established significant milestones in 2009 to encourage offshore wind power development.
- America’s wind power fleet of 35,000 MW will avoid an estimated 62 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to taking 10.5 million cars off the road.
- America’s wind power fleet will conserve approximately 20 billion gallons of water annually that would otherwise be lost to evaporation from steam of cooling in conventional power plants.
- Wind energy use is the fastest growing energy production segment that relates to renewable sources. In the last couple of years, wind turbines have been greatly upgraded. Best example is German turbine market where average power from starting 470 kW in 1995 increased up to a 1280 kW in year 2001.
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American colonists used windmills to grind wheat and corn, to pump water, and to cut wood at sawmills. As late as the 1920s, Americans used small windmills to generate electricity in rural areas without electric service. When power lines began to transport electricity to rural areas in the 1930s, local windmills were used less and less, though they can still be seen on some Western ranches.
Source: US Energy Information Administration
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In 2009, wind machines in the United States generated a total of about 71 billion kilowatthours, about 1.8% of total U.S. electricity generation. Although this is a small fraction of the Nation’s total electricity production, it was enough electricity to serve 6.4 million households or to power the entire State of Wisconsin.
The amount of electricity generated from wind has been growing rapidly in recent years… Learn more
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