From Root River Energy's Spring 2010 Newsletter....
We want you to keep abreast of current wind energy trends and to understand the issues that truly affect our industry. Below is a brief summary of current issues and facts and figures that define the wind energy industry today. Use this section to get caught up on the topics you’ve been curious about!
Wind Power Growth Surges in 2009
The U.S. wind industry broke all previous records in 2009 by installing nearly 10,000 megawatts (MW) according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). This amounts to nearly 130 wind projects built across 30 states, bringing the total U.S. wind capacity to over 35,000 MW. This is enough generating capacity to power over 2.4 million homes.
The renewable energy incentives inherent in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARA) of 2009 enacted by President Obama, helped spur wind industry growth. Many wind projects received financial backing through the various grants and tax credits made available. Over 85,000 wind industry jobs were sustained, even during the recession.
More growth is predicted for 2010 as the industry advocates for Congress to enact a National Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). Not only would a National RES create more wind farm development, it also would bolster further job creation.
National Renewable Portfolio Standard (RES) Would Boost Industry Growth
If Congress enacted a 25% by 2025 National RES, independent firm, Navigant Consulting, concluded that 274,000 new renewable energy industry jobs would be created. This is equivalent to 2.36 million job-years of work.
Also, if passed, a 25% by 2025 National RES would create $13.5 billion in income to property owners and farmers along with providing $11.5 billion in new local tax revenues, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. It also would reduce consumer electricity bills by $64.3 million.
AWEA and industry partners are lobbying Congress to pass this strict RES standard during our current legislative session. The National RES would require all U.S. states to have 25% of their energy originate from renewable sources by year 2025. Utilities would be required to integrate wind into their electricity mix. Currently 31 states along with the District of Columbia have enacted some type of state RES. However, most of the state RES’s are less aggressive, often between the ten to twenty percent range.
Wind Integration Report Findings Are Encouraging
Findings from a National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) study conclude that integration of large amounts of wind energy into the electricity grid is feasible and cost-effective. The ground-breaking study examined wind penetration scenarios in the Eastern U.S. for two years.
The study determined that having 20% of our energy come from wind resources is technically feasible but will require significant transmission infrastructure expansion. However, all scenarios studied pointed to reduced fossil fuel expenditures and consumer electricity prices, which would more than pay for the increased costs of additional transmission. The report also proved that wind energy development is a highly cost-effective way to reduce carbon emissions.
Read the study online: http://www.nrel.gov/wind/systemsintegration/pdfs/2010/ewits_final_report...
Return to Root River Energy's Newsletter Page
