Wind Power Capacity in U.S. Increased 27% in 2006

[jpak]

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=47201

Wind power-generating capacity increased by 27 percent in 2006 and is expected to increase an additional 26 percent in 2007, proving wind is now a mainstream option for new power generation in the U.S., according to a market forecast released today by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

The U.S. wind energy industry installed 2,454 megawatts (MW) of new generating capacity in 2006, an investment of approximately $4 billion, billing wind as one of the largest sources of new power generation in the country -- second only to natural gas -- for the second year in a row. New wind farms boosted cumulative U.S. installed wind energy capacity by 27 percent to 11,603 MW, well above the 10,000-MW milestone reached in August 2006.

Wind power has attracted the support of state and federal government legislatures. The U.S. Congress recently extended the federal production tax credit (PTC) through December 2008 to further expand the number of wind farms throughout the U.S. Based on the success of the PTC to date, AWEA is calling for extending the provision an additional five years.

"Wind is a proven, cost-effective source of energy that also alleviates global warming and enhances our nation's energy security," said AWEA Executive Director Randall Swisher. "The industry has demonstrated a generous return on the investment of both private and public investment in wind," said Swisher. "Extending the PTC five years will significantly increase the progress America is making in expanding its use of new forms of energy when they've never been needed more."

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[Dogmudgeon]

1. That's good, but it needs one or two more zeroes.

Going by The Rule of 72, that's a doubling time of 2 2/3 years. Using the more accurate, but more conservative Eckart-McHale Rule (30% down page), it's almost three years (2.97 by my calculation, in which you should have no confidence).

If wind power currently contributes 1/2 of 1% of our energy, it needs at least five doublings to become a "player", and two or three more to become dominant. Five doublings brings it to 16%; seven to 64%. So it needs a good 15 years to really make an impact. Can the 25-30% rate be sustained? Can we hold out that long?

Our quibbles over nuclear energy aside, we need to seriously increase those growth rates while reconstructing society on a saner model.

--p!

[jpak]

3. US wind power capacity is currently >10,000 MW

In 5 doubling times, US wind power capacity and output will exceed current (and future) US nuclear capacity.

Like you said, that's less than 15 years from now.

Throw in gains in PV, solar thermal electric, solar thermal, biomass (solid and liquids), biogas, geothermal, fuel cells AND efficiency - and we're talking some serious mega"watts"...

:evilgrin:

[roamer65]

5. Good! That means we can start to decomission some coal and nuke plants.

[Moby Grape]

2. how much electricity is produced by wind?

US yearly total, all sources, 4 billion megawatt-hours

Eia lists 2004 yearly wind at 14 million megawatt hours

[GliderGuider]

4. Who farted in my hurricane?

I believe you've put your finger on the problem.