Wind Powering America http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/ These news items are notable additions to the Wind Powering America Web site. The Wind Powering America Web site reports recent national and state wind market changes by cataloging wind activities such as wind resource maps, small wind consumer's guides, local wind workshops, news articles, and publications in the areas of policy, public power, small wind, Native Americans, agricultural sector, economic development, public lands, and schools. en-us julie.jones@nrel.gov (Julie Jones) http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/images/wpa_logo_sm.jpg Wind Powering America http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/ Wind Powering America Updatehttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=746http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=746Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MSTDate: 6/23/2009

]]>(PDF 7.0 MB) Download Adobe Reader
(PowerPoint 31.6 MB)

This presentation gives a broad yet comprehensive overview of wind energy in the United States. It uses maps and charts to quickly show the past and current status of wind energy development issues in the United States. Illustrations include:

  • Rotor diameter and energy output increases as commercial wind technology evolves in the United States between 1980 and 2015.
  • Increased turbine size, research and development advances, and manufacturing improvements increased the amount of energy wind turbines produce, thus contributing to decreased wind energy costs and making wind energy competitive in today's wholesale energy market.
  • The United States has experienced 4 years of strong growth. In 2008, the United States led the world in wind capacity additions and in cumulative capacity.
  • The United States lags behind other countries for wind as a percentage of electricity consumption. Wind represents just 1.2% of the United States' electricity supply, while that percentage is as high as 20% in Denmark, 12% in Spain, 9% in Portugal, 8% in Ireland, and 7% in Germany. The prospects for future growth are substantial.
  • A map of the United States shows installed wind capacity today compared to 1999.
    • Wind power drivers include declining wind costs, fuel price uncertainty, federal and state policies, economic development, environment, public support, green power, energy security, and carbon risk.
  • Slides illustrate the generation cost of wind compared to other generation sources, natural gas and coal historic prices, wind cost drivers (steel prices, copper prices), and carbon dioxide prices significantly increasing the cost of coal.
  • A map of the United States illustrates Renewable Portfolio Standards by state. Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) is the term for legislation mandating that power suppliers obtain a percentage of their power mix from renewable resources. The demand for renewable energy is greater than the amount that can be supplied at the current time.
  • A map of the United States shows states with green power programs.
  • A slide shows some wind energy investors; another slide illustrates that windy rural areas need economic development. Economic development impacts discussed are land lease payments, local property tax, and jobs.
  • A slide lists environmental benefits: no sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, no particulates, no mercury, no carbon dioxide, no water.
  • A slide highlights water issues.
  • A slide highlights case studies and local ownership models.
  • A slide lists key wind power issues.
  • A slide discusses the 20 percent wind scenario, market challenges, job creation, water savings, and carbon savings.
]]>Wind Energy and Economic Development in Nebraskahttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2271http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2271Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MSTDate: 6/15/2009

]]>This fact sheet summarizes a recent report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Economic Development Benefits from Wind Power in Nebraska: A Report for the Nebraska Energy Office, which focuses on the estimated economic development impacts in Nebraska from development and operation of wind power in the state as envisioned in the U.S. Department of Energy's report, 20% Wind Energy by 2030. This analysis uses four scenarios — 1,000 MW, 7,800 MW, community-based project, or non-community-based project — to represent two different amounts of wind energy development and two different estimates of how much local investment will occur under Nebraska's Community-Based Energy Development (C-BED) policy.

]]>Wind Energy and Green Jobshttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2227http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2227Tue, 5 May 2009 00:00:00 MSTDate: 2/28/2009

]]>Source: Governors' Wind Energy Coalition.

]]>The Governors' Wind Energy Coalition is a bipartisan group of 24 of the nation's governors dedicated to expanding development of wind resources to meet America's domestic energy demands in an environmentally responsible manner — while reducing the nation's dependence on imported fuel sources.

At a time when bad economic news seems to be the status quo, the wind power industry stands out as an inspiring "green jobs" success story. Wind power can lead the way on the green jobs front, helping to achieve the nation's goal of reviving the U.S. economy with clean energy technologies. This report "Wind Energy and Green Jobs (PDF 1.8 MB) Download Adobe Reader" profiles the economic development benefits of five states that are members of Governors' Wind Energy Coalition: California, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota and Oregon.

In order to meet the full economic development potential from wind energy, the Governors' Wind Energy Coalition endorses the following policies:

  • Adopt a National Renewable Electricity Standard of 20 percent Renewable Energy
  • Support construction of New Interstate Electric Transmission "Smart" Grid
  • Expand U.S. Department of Energy's Work with States and the Wind Industry to Accelerate Innovation
  • Adopt a Long-Term Production Tax Credit for Wind Energy
]]>Economic Development Impacts in Colorado from Four Vestas Manufacturing Facilitieshttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2220http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2220Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 MSTDate: 4/30/2009

]]>In an economic slowdown, wind energy component manufacturing is one U.S. industry that has experienced unprecedented growth. Vestas' Colorado operations will bring approximately $700 million in capital investment and nearly 2,500 jobs to the state.

]]>Systems Performance Analyses of Alaska Wind-Diesel Projects; Kasigluk, Alaskahttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2221http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2221Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 MSTDate: 4/30/2009

]]>The community is comprised of Old and New Kasigluk, and the combined population of approximately 500 receive power from a wind-diesel power system operated and owned by the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC). AVEC's power system incorporates a modern diesel plant and three Northern Power Systems Northwind 100 wind turbines.

The people of Kasigluk rely heavily on subsistence activities and commercial fishing, and poor fishing over the past few years has affected the local economy and underlined the importance of stabilizing energy prices.

]]>Systems Performance Analyses of Alaska Wind-Diesel Projects; Kotzebue, Alaskahttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2222http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2222Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 MSTDate: 4/30/2009

]]>The Kotzebue project systems performance analysis clearly demonstrates the ability for turbines to operate in remote communities with high availability, primarily due to the Kotzebue Electric Association's strong technical capabilities and dedication. Grants covered almost all turbine expenses, so the economic benefits of the project were immediately tangible and have helped to stabilize the cost of energy to the community.

]]>Systems Performance Analyses of Alaska Wind-Diesel Projects; St. Paul, Alaskahttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2223http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2223Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 MSTDate: 4/30/2009

]]>The system often operates with both of its diesel generators off. Since January 2005, the wind energy has saved an estimated 150,000 gallons of diesel fuel, about 50% of the expected consumption without wind energy.

The Tanadgusix Corporation (TDX), a native Alaskan corporation, is currently working with the City of St. Paul to interconnect two additional Vestas V27 turbines to the City of St. Paul Municipal Electric Utility.

]]>Systems Performance Analyses of Alaska Wind-Diesel Projects; Selawik, Alaskahttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2225http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2225Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 MSTDate: 4/30/2009

]]>The power system, which is owned by Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, connects the four wind turbines to a 1,660-kW, three-engine diesel system.

]]>Wind Powering America State Summit Proceedingshttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/wkshp_2009_state_summit.asphttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2007Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 MSTDate: 5/8/2009]]>Location: Chicago, IL]]>The Summit provides Wind Powering America's (WPA's) network of state wind working groups, state energy officials, DOE and national lab WPA representatives and its professional and institutional partners an opportunity to review successes, opportunities and challenges for wind at the state level. Participants share strategies/lessons learned, review priority activities/topics, and celebrate and recognize accomplishments among peers. The Summit features plenary sessions, regional and state breakouts, and smaller group discussions on focused issues, as well as presentations and remarks from invited national guest speakers. Summit participants include leaders of Wind Powering America's state wind working groups, institutional partners, wind industry experts, and DOE and National Laboratory staff.

]]>Community Acceptance of Wind: Webcasthttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2303http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2303Wed, 1 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MSTDate: 7/2/2009]]>Location: CO]]>Audio and text versions of the Webinar with Marion Trieste are available. (WMV 13.5 MB) Download Windows Media Player. Time: 01:26:49. Text Version (PDF 262 KB) Download Adobe Reader.

Marion Trieste specializes in forming partnerships among the various stakeholders affected by environmental decisions, and working to find mutually beneficial, cost effective solutions through grassroots organizing and strategic communications planning. Marion has over twenty years of experience designing and implementing meaningful public involvement programs and enjoys a national reputation as a specialist in public participation for the federal Toxic Waste Superfund program.

Marion formed Trieste Associates in 1998 to offer public outreach and campaign design services. In this capacity she has implemented a number of successful campaigns. In 2007, Trieste Associates expanded to form a partnership with Power Communications, a Saratoga Springs based energy public relations consultancy. The newly formed business venture, GEOS (Green Energy Outreach Services) is the result of the expanding demand for public outreach services. GEOS approaches today's environmental challenges by actively engaging the people most affected by environmental problems.

GEOS is currently working with clients to educate the public and coordinate grassroots support in an effort to utilize wind power and other renewable energy resources available throughout the Northeast. Marion uses her diverse network of regional stakeholders and media relations to aide in educating the public and gaining support for projects that protect human health and the environment.

Marion is well known in the environmental community for her tireless efforts to educate the public about the Hudson River Superfund site and PCBs on behalf of Scenic Hudson and the Friends of a Clean Hudson coalition from May 2000 to June 2003. Prior to her work with Scenic Hudson, Marion was a public education campaign coordinator, lobbyist and toxic waste specialist for ten years at the Sierra Club's Northeast regional office. Due to her unique expertise on the importance of public education and grassroots organizing, Marion has presented testimony on three separate occasions to various congressional committees during the years of the national Superfund Reauthorization debate.

]]>4th Annual Ocean Management Conferencehttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2304http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2304Wed, 1 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MSTDate: 7/10/2009]]>Location: Waltham, MA]]>Source: Environmental Business Council of New England, Inc.

]]>7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The 4th Annual Ocean Management Conference is a progress update on Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan. The draft Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan will be released by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs for public review and comment by June 30, 2009. This program will be one of the first opportunities to hear Assistant Secretary Deerin Babb-Brott detail the plan's goals and implementation strategies. Robert LaBelle, Deputy Associate Director for Offshore Energy and Minerals Management, Minerals Management Service will talk about the federal government's initiatives and programs for managing the resources and uses in U.S. waters. A panel of scientists and managers will report on the science and technology being developed or used to inform and improve decision making in the ocean.

]]>Wind Energy Camp 2009http://www.windenergycenter.kvcc.edu/training.htmhttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2262Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 MSTDate: 7/13/2009 to 7/16/2009]]>Location: Kalamazoo, MI]]>9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Students between the ages of 12 and 16 are invited to attend an introduction to wind energy at the Wind Energy Camp 2009. Participants will see the Kalamazoo Valley Community College turbine in action, learn about jobs in the industry, collect and analyze wind data, and even build a small wind turbine! Please see the Web site for more information.

]]>Advancing Wind Power in Illinoishttp://www.renewableenergy.ilstu.edu/wind/conferences/http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2270Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MSTDate: 7/15/2009 to 7/16/2009]]>Location: Bloomington, IL]]>9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
This conference covers many aspects of wind energy including small wind, community wind, and large wind farms. Sessions will include wind for schools, wind assessment methods, economic development, siting and zoning, net metering, construction issues, wind farms and aerial application, how manufacturers can join the supply chain, wildlife and environmental issues, how to get a job in wind energy, and more. The event brings to Illinois nationally recognized experts and local policymakers to discuss wind energy. For the complete conference agenda and to register online, please visit the Web site.

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