Wind could provide 16x U.S. energy demand
New Harvard study demonstrates a massive, untapped source of renewable energy in the United States.
Fri, Jul 17 2009 at 4:25 PM EST
Image: Harvard University Many green energy experts have been touting wind power as a potential source of renewable energy sufficiently abundant to meet current energy demand in the United States. But a new report from Harvard University published this week by the National Academy of Sciences puts the total U.S. wind capacity much (much) higher than expected.
According to the study (PDF) which pulled together data from thousands of meteorological stations, the U.S. is a very wealthy nation when it comes to wind. If primary wind regions are harnessed, the U.S. could supply 16 times its current energy demand using wind power.
The U.S. is not alone. Other high-emission countries like Russia and China can far exceed current energy demand by implementing large-scale wind projects. China (which is building a new coal power plant every 10 days to keep up with its growing energy demand) could provide 18 times its current energy demand with wind.
It goes without saying that a great deal of infrastructure would need to be put in place to make this potential a reality, including a network of high-capacity transmission lines and technologies like flywheel energy storage.
The best thing about wind is its capacity to replace the lagging (some would say dying) American automotive industry. A large 2.5 megawatt turbine contains a whole lot of steel and over 80,000 parts which translates into lots of jobs, many of which could be located in the midwest.
Michael Goggin, an analyst for AWEA (the American Wind Energy Association) says that the report is further validation of the statement that the United States could become the "Saudi Arabia of wind."
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Comments
Penelope51
07/25/2009 10:17 AM
Great news but it's all academic until this info is acted on. The US has repeatedly shown it doesn't take the lead in new technologies and is still beholden to oil companies. I have hope that the Obama administration will not follow the example set by the previous administration.
Oblisami,G.
07/23/2009 01:01 AM
It is really fantastic to know wind power if harnessed, could be 16 times the requirement of USA. Developing countries could endevour to harness the wind power for their development; the necessary technologies should be passed on with spirit of sharing the knowledge for maintaining Mother Nature under Greeen conditions. Let all the Developed and Developing countries co-operate in this area. Let there be awarenes amongst the nations!
