Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 27 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
Sci Tech    H2'ed 7/9/11

Real, Clean Energy Alternatives: Part 3 - Wind Power

By       (Page 1 of 4 pages)   2 comments
Follow Me on Twitter     Message Joe Giambrone
Become a Fan
  (27 fans)


Photo Wikimedia Commons, CC 1.0 Share Alike


Pt. 1: Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)
Pt. 2: Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)

 

In October 2009 Scientific American (SA) magazine hosted an investigation to "Power 100 Percent of the Planet with Renewables."  They decided that it was indeed feasible, and they suggested a mix of technologies to accomplish that goal.

"Our plan calls for millions of wind turbines, water machines and solar installations...-- (Scientific American)

Repeatedly the first option listed was wind.  Wind power has a long and successful history and is quite widespread in some parts of the world generating about 20% of Denmark's electricity right now.  The US has significant wind potential and many regions where the wind blows almost continuously.  As the Danes have shown, placing turbines just offshore is extremely viable.

Polls of Americans consistently show broad support for wind and other clean renewables, even before Fukushima.  A N. Carolina poll showed 80% favoring wind farm construction and 83% supporting solar farms (AP, March 1 2010, Elon poll shows support for wind, solar energy).

The call for a federal Renewable Energy Standard  (RES) of 25% by 2025 won a 77% approval rate from 600 likely voters in a poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, March 2010.

People seem to understand that investing in alternative energy means jobs and security.

Global Wind Leader: Denmark

The nation of Denmark also controls about one third of the world's wind turbine market.  Their R and D was pushed extensively in the early days by government subsidies.

"Energy taxes were channeled into research centers" It also mandated that utilities purchase wind energy at a preferential price -- thus guaranteeing investors a customer base." (TIME, Feb 25, 2009)

Currently Denmark simply exports excess wind generated power to its neighbors when winds are high, and then buys back from them when winds die down.

"Nuclear Power?  No Thanks."

Next Page  1  |  2  |  3  |  4

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Must Read 4   Supported 3   Valuable 3  
Rate It | View Ratings

Joe Giambrone Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Joe Giambrone is an American author, freelance writer and filmmaker. Non-fiction works appear at International Policy Digest, WhoWhatWhy, Foreign Policy Journal, Counterpunch, Globalresearch, , OpedNews, High Times and other online outlets. His science fiction thriller Transfixion and his Hollywood satire (more...)
 
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Follow Me on Twitter     Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Is This the Man Who "Radicalized" Dzhokhar Tsarnaev?

The Future Children of Fukushima

The U.N. Would Never Lie to George Monbiot

Genocide and the Native American Experience

Nuclear Nightmare Worsens

The Anarchist Delusion

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend