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Wind Energy Challenge: Google Raises the Hub

By Harry Valentine, Commentator/Energy Researcher, , July, 27, 2010 - Internet search engine Google provided an estimated $10 million to a wind energy research group to develop a technology that could convert wind energy to massive amounts of electrical energy at competitive costs. Several entrepreneurs, organizations and groups are working toward such an objective and all agree that there is merit in accessing the more powerful winds that blow at higher elevations. One group seeks to connect high-altitude winds to ground-level electrical generators while another group seeks to carry the electrical generation equipment aloft, in the air stream. more...
Article Viewed 2159 Times | 6 Comments

Prospects for Mechanical Power Transfer Technology in Modern Power Generation

By Harry Valentine, Commentator/Energy Researcher, , June, 14, 2010 - Early forms of power generation involved waterwheels and windmills that transferred power through mechanical systems to achieve such tasks as grinding and milling grain or pumping water. During the early decades of the industrial revolution, power was transferred from waterwheels, hydraulic turbines and steam engines via mechanical means to a variety of tasks. The development of industrial-scale electrical power transmission during the latter 19th century not only replaced mechanical power transfer, it also allowed for the development of larger and more powerful hydraulic and steam turbine engines. more...
Article Viewed 2733 Times | 7 Comments

The Promise of using Wind Power to enhance Hydroelectric Power

By Harry Valentine, Commentator/Energy Researcher, , March, 17, 2010 - An interesting phenomenon has been noted at several coastal wind farms in the western UK that are located along the Irish Sea. On clear days over the eastern Irish Sea, the wind turbines generate mist and fog on land. The swirling movement of the turbine blades apparently churns the cooler air above the warmer moist air that passes across the turbine blades. It is as is some British wind farms are creating mini climatic zones in the general vicinity of the turbines. more...
Article Viewed 2910 Times | 17 Comments

Evolving Trends in Wind Power Generation

By Harry Valentine, Commentator/Energy Researcher, , December, 15, 2009 - Wind power generation is expanding worldwide with the tower-mounted 3-bladed design being the most popular wind power conversion technology. However, the variation of designs and range of output level is expanding as researchers and developers continually seek innovative ways to reduce the cost per kilowatt. Small-scale designs that cover the range of 200-watts to 5-kw is the fastest growing segment of the wind power market. Much of the technology in this power range can be mass-produced, including the bladeless solid-state piezoelectric device where wind-induced vibration produces electric power. more...
Article Viewed 2146 Times | 35 Comments

Offshore wind: Comprehensive initial study is critical

By Matthew Pollard, P.E., Project Engineer, Fugro West, Inc., November, 17, 2009 - Utilities have begun considering offshore wind as a source of new energy. Delmarva Power recently agreed to a long-term offshore wind power purchase contract, and organizations such as Long Island Power Authority and Public Service Enterprise Group are exploring the development and operation of offshore wind farms. The energy industry often focuses on the real-time data and operating challenges of wind, but it is also important to consider the upfront data and information challenges of planning wind resources -- particularly offshore wind. more...
Article Viewed 1458 Times | 6 Comments

Offshore Wind Could Surge

By Ken Silverstein, Editor-in-Chief, EnergyBiz Insider, October, 20, 2009 - Offshore wind production could surge forward. Both European and U.S. advocates say that the construction of such energy projects could take off assuming that both continents stick with their carbon-free energy themes. Offshore wind development, in theory, would avoid the typical in-fighting that occurs with respect to all other of power projects that are built on land. In practice, however, it is just as onerous largely because the wind mills in some places could be seen by local residents and because of the extensive underwater transmission systems that are thought to harm sea life. more...
Article Viewed 1124 Times | 3 Comments

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Wind Turbine Supply Chain Strategies: 2009-2020

By Keith Hays, Research Director, Emerging Energy Research, September, 15, 2009 - The global wind turbine supply chain faces the challenging task of bridging the gap between the high level of growth and the bottlenecks of 2008, and the resumption of high growth expected in 2010. Although some capacity investments have been frozen and new market entries postponed, 2009 has offered the industry a breather to retool its strategy for longer-term, sustained growth as demand becomes more consolidated globally. The global wind turbine component supply market will be shaped by the following key trends in the near term as the industry looks forward to the next economic cycle, including: more...
Article Viewed 2235 Times | 2 Comments

Land of Ten Thousand Turbines?

By Jake Rasweiler, Vice President, Engineering and Network Operations, Arcadian Networks, August, 25, 2009 - Wind generators and wireless networks are poised to push Minnesota to the lead among renewable integrators more...
Article Viewed 1117 Times | 9 Comments

The Role of Wind Forecasting in the Successful Integration and Management of an Intermittent Energy Source

By Dr. Jeff Lerner, Director of Product Delivery, 3TIER, July, 28, 2009 - Owing to the increased penetration of wind power, utility and system operators familiar with managing non-renewable power sources are being forced to learn new a new trade: wind forecasting. When the relied-upon fuel is inherently intermittent -- not a characteristic of traditional energy sources -- understanding the supply side of load balancing, dispatchability and reserves, and the cost of producing electricity inevitably becomes more challenging. This paper discusses how and why accurate wind forecasting is a necessary ingredient for the continued growth and penetration of wind power into the global energy mix. It is equally important to note the critical need for proper collaboration in planning the distribution and size of wind projects, and the electricity transmission grid from the municipal to international scale. Such efforts would require significant cooperation by parties spanning from industry, policy, education and research. more...
Article Viewed 992 Times | 3 Comments

Wind, Backup Power and Emissions

By Michael Goggin, Electric Industry Analyst, American Wind Energy Association, June, 23, 2009 - More than 8,300 MW of wind plants were installed last year, comprising about 42 percent of all new electric capacity added in 2008. Nevertheless, myths continue to persist about wind, including that wind does not reduce fossil fuel use and associated emissions and, related to that, myths about the need for "backup power" from fossil fuel power plants. In reality, each megawatt-hour (MWh) produced by a wind plant replaces a MWh that would have been produced by another power plant. more...
Article Viewed 2772 Times | 86 Comments

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