Development of Wind as an Alternative Energy Source in the U.S.
Introduction
Currently, wind is the fastest growing renewable energy source in the U.S. unfortunately, the use of wind as an alternative energy source has decades been a footnote in America’s energy production sector. Wind energy a few years back was considered a minor power source in America despite the success stories of its contribution to national energy grids in many European nations (Provey, 2009). This report shall discuss the development of wind as an alternative energy source in the country by looking at its large-scale production capacity, sustainability, and feasibility.
The need for the report arises from the fact that apart from finding alternative energy sources, wind is the largest most environmental friendly energy source (Provey, 2009). The need to address issues surrounding the production of energy using wind arises from the need to address the various criticism directed at the energy source. Those that oppose the development of wind energy source call it an industrial growth idea, which will plague communities, their land, landscapes, fragment habitants, and cause un-repairable ecological damage (Dinnell & Russ, 2007). The challenge to the development of wind energy sources are the environmental and ecological supporters that identify the energy source a big threat to the health of wild birds and a disrupter of the aesthetic effect on humans (Dinnell & Russ, 2007). However, opponents and proponents cannot fathom the extent of impact of the wind farms they both agree that the visual appeal of the farms hinges on the location of the farms.
Background
Early American colonists pumped water wells and ran grinding mills using wind as an alternative energy source for many centuries. The concept of wind farms is 20th century concepts that were bigger improvements to the windmills. By 2003 wind, power only represented a tenth of the 1% of total electric power source in the U.S. (GAO-04-756, 2004). However, the capacity of wind power did quadruple in 2003 from 1990, with the Department of Energy making the prediction that it would continue growing to 2025 (GAO-04-756, 2004). The quadrupling of the wind power between 1990 and 2003 is associated with the development and growth of wind farms following the introduction of the 2002 farm bill (GAO-04-756, 2004). However, analysis of the nation’s potential indicates that most of the U.S.’s wind power is untapped. After the signing into law the Farm Bill in 2002, the federal and state governments have assisted in supporting the development of wind energy.
These efforts are reflected in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s assistance to offer help in the development of renewable energy sources including wind (GAO-04-756, 2004). Wind energy production has increased in the last decade, as it generates as much electricity as the amount generated by 90 million barrels of oil and 30 million tons of coal (Prove, 2009). By 2008, wind displaced approximately 34 million tons of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to 5.8 million vehicles removed from the road (Provey, 2009). The projection by the American Wind Energy Association is that within 20 years, the nation will have reached the industrial goal and will be producing 20% of the total national energy with wind (Provey, 2009). The advantage of wind power over fossil fuel is that the energy source does not pollute the environment, waterways, and does not contaminate national wildlife refuges.
Discussion
The thought of wind as an alternative energy source draws attention to the large wind farms characteristic of the 1990s and early 2005. However, technology in the production of wind energy is changing as the wind farms are replaced by massive wind turbines that are taller than the statue of liberty. However, though the turbines have reduced the monotony of wind farms, they become part of the landscape killing birds and bats in the process (Dinnell & Russ, 2007). The large turbines make use of large spatial spaces and extensive road infrastructure. The problem is that wind technology like other energy sources also possesses an environmental impact. This is the Hobson’s choice, since there is no energy technology that has zero environmental cost.
Despite this cost GAO-04-756, report (2004) identifies that wind power has the potential of making significant contributions to America’s growing energy needs. It also promises to offer economic benefits to communities and farms in rural America, which shall build and release land for the building of the wind turbines. The report shows that though wind power does not make a direct contribution to the total far income, the energy source has contributed considerably to rural communities and farmers in the 10 states with the highest wind power capacity (GAO-04-756, 2004). This is because though these rural farmers cannot build the winds farms, they lease their land to wind projects generating between $2,000 to $5,000 dollars per wind turbine per year. Moreover, the large wind turbines in some rural communities have increased the tax revenues and created employment opportunities. The leasing of land for wind farms is easier since farmers cannot management the costs and technicalities associated with the development of a wind farm. Less than 1% of the wind power capacity in the U.S. is owned by individual farmers. Leasing to energy companies saves farmers from the challenges of running and installation costs, tax advantages, technical issues, and risks of wind projects.
New Wind Resources
Currently, the largest sources of wind power are the land-based, large-scale wind farms. Other wind resources and technologies are also contributing to the production of wind power, these are like the offshore wind turbines. Offshore wind turbines have very costly installation, but present the best source of wind power (Provey, 2009). The U.S.’s category six and seven wind sources are in the East Coast, West coasts and the Great Lakes (Provey, 2009). The advantages of the offshore wind turbines is that the turbines are easy to transport since it is over water, as compared to the land-based turbines. Moreover, offshore wind turbines do not require overland high-voltage lines, require more suitable land sites and have fewer zoning and visual problems. Moreover, offshore winds are steadier than land-based turbine wind, due to the continues wind currents over the oceans, present day and night as compared to the land-based wind sources.
Another potential solution is the placement of offshore wind famrs in areas that are less aesthetic than the Nantucket Sound. This is because the development of offshore wind turbines on the great lakes region is already openly contested by the citizens and local government officials around the region citing the destruction of the aesthetic value of the region (Dinnell & Russ, 2007). This also drives attention to an alternative wind power technology, the wind spire developed by the Cleveland State University (Dinnell & Russ, 2007). The concept entails the development of a screw-shaped tower with several, small rotors, inside the curves of the tower. This design is based on Bernoulli’s principle as it causes winds to gain intensity as it moves through the spire (Dinnell & Russ, 2007). The spire technology is an attempt to solve many problems associated with the wind farms and the offshore wind turbines proposed to be elected in the great lakes region. The advantage of this technology is that it cheaper since the spire costs less and it is easier to maintain as compared to the traditional wind turbine. This is because the spire is able to avoid the strain and massive forces caused by large turning blades under the force of the wind. Moreover, despite the spire shape, the spires are not difficult to access (Dinnell & Russ, 2007).
Another alternative wind technology is the community or middle-sized wind turbines. These are wind power small sized investors, like ranchers, farmers, colleges, and consumer based utilities that produce their own wind power (Provey, 2009). The advantage of the community-based wind power is that it reduces the need for massive wind farms and makes use of smaller sites. It is also less centralized and the power generated feeds directly into the domestic market rather than the national grid, therefore, making the sources more secure to meeting the communities energy needs (Provey, 2009). Other small-scale projects, are like the small wind turbines used by farmers, homeowners, and business owners. These individuals contribute approximately 55-60 MW of electricity capacity in the U.S. The resource is an attractive energy source for the individual that is seeking to reduce their energy costs.
Reference
Dinnell, A.D. & Russ, A.J. (2007). The Legal Hurdles to Developing Wind Power as an Alternative Energy Source in the United States: Creative and Comparative Solutions. Northwestern Journal of International Law & Business, 27, 535-590.
Provey, J. (2009). The Promise of Wind. E: The Environmental Magazine, 20(1), 26-32.
Renewable Energy: Wind Power’s Contribution to Electric Power Generation and Impact on Farms and Rural Communities: GAO-04-756. (2004). GAO Reports, 1.
