ClimateYou

Let’s face it, wind power needs wind, which can be intermittent. How to resolve this problem? Scientists at the University of Delaware analyzed the effect of connecting wind turbines together in a grid. They found that linking 11 offshore wind farms would be costly but would reduce fluctuation.

The latest industry report showed wind power boomed in 2009. Over 10,000 megawatts of wind capacity were installed, or 39% of new electrical generation. Wind energy now generates 35,000 megawatts, enough to power 9.7 million homes. Texas is the wind leader, and #2 Iowa gets 14.2% from wind power.

Wyoming is the 8th-windiest U.S. state, and ranks 12th in wind power installations. The electricity generated by wind in 2009 nearly doubled that produced in 2008.  Yet Wyoming is the first state in the country that is considering taxing wind energy production.  The proposed legislation is motivated by a desire to see wind turbines ‘pay their fair share.’   Beginning in 2012, it would levy a $1-per-megawatt-hour tax on wind energy production.  The minimum projected revenue from the tax is $4 million per year, to be split between the counties where the wind energy is produced, and the state.  The wind energy industry thinks it’s a bad idea.  Theyre afraid  a tax will scare off developers just as the industry is getting started, especially because other states are creating incentives to lure wind projects and jobs.  The impact of the tax on Wyoming’s nascent wind energy industry is uncertain, but it’s clear that the differing interests of the concerned parties must be finely balanced.

Last year Minnesota bought a dozen used wind turbines from California and installed them in 11 cities. Only problem? They don’t work. Students asked questions. People complained. Officials searched for answers. They suspect Minnesota’s cold weather is the culprit, and are weatherizing the turbines.

Everybody knows what radar is, but how many know about lidar? Lidar stands for light detection and ranging. Several Danish innovators are developing lidar technology, which uses light waves, to enable wind turbines to get smart enough to look ahead to see the speed and angle of the wind approaching them, and then have a computer analyze the lidar data and adjust the turbine’s blades for greatest efficiency.  This ability makes the wind turbines about 5% more productive than normal, saving almost $2,000 per turbine per year.  Also, it reduces damage to the blades of the wind turbine, thereby reducing maintenance and replacement costs.

Despite the economy, wind power in the US grew 39% in 2009, thanks mostly to the stimulus. The industry added 9,900 megawatts, about equal to natural gas, bringing wind’s total to 2%, or 9.7 million homes. Wind and gas made up 80% of new capacity. But the US lags Europe, and the pace could slow.