Wind Power Solutions » Wind Power

Wind industry accused of blowing off worker safety rule

Myron Levin, FairWarning.org — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:02:00 +0000

Wind power is riding a strong breeze. In the last five years, generating capacity in the U.S. has nearly quadrupled. Clusters of tubular wind towers, rising up to 300 feet above ridgelines and gusty plains, are an increasingly familiar sight. But in the scramble to expand clean energy and green jobs, the wind industry has fallen short on worker safety.

Bonneville Power Ordered to Change Wind Rules

By MATTHEW L. WALD — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:19:09 +0000

The Bonneville Power Administration discriminated against wind operators when it unplugged the generators of wind operators in the Pacific Northwest, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ruled.

African nations show leadership for action against climate change

Katy Migiro, Reuters, NAIROBI — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:29:00 +0000

Africa is leading the push for clean energy policy-making as climate change turns millions of its people into "food refugees," the head of the U.N. Environment Program (UNEP) Achim Steiner said. "On the African continent, there is sometimes more leadership being shown by countries, by governments, than we see in some of the industrialized nations," Steiner told Reuters. "Kenya is currently doubling its energy and electricity generating infrastructure largely using renewables. These are policies that are pioneering, that are innovative," he said. Kenya generates most of its energy from hydroelectric dams but water levels have fallen due to recurring drought. It is now investing heavily in geothermal and wind power. The African Development Bank is financing Africa's biggest wind farm on the shores of Lake Turkana, one of the windiest places on Earth. The $819-million project aims to produce 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity per year, boosting Kenya's energy supply by 30 percent.

Where are we now as a planet

soladood — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 23:05:59 +0000

Well i must say, it’s been quite a while since did any blogging on this space – something that i think i should be getting back into given my passion on this subject:)

It seems in a lot of instances, wind power has been getting a bad rap lately due to the noise that they create.

A few months ago, we were driving along the freeway from Sydney to Melbourne. I looked out the window only to see a huge wind turbine – doing its thing.

We drive a little further and their they were – at least 20-30 wind turbines – all spinning in harmony with each other – incredible sight i must say!

The noise they are proclaimed to be emitting, didn’t seem to be any different to that as the wind rushes past the window as our car drives on. In fact, if you had shut yours eyes as you drive past these huge structures, was no different to anywhere else as we drove the 1000km stretch of road.

All opinions are valid of course, but i think it’s time to actually bring this subject to the surface for a healthy discussion – indeed:)

First – i wonder what the residents of this building (video below) are experiencing with regards to noise pollution?

till next…

How Texas Wind Power Inspires Performance Art

Lauren Craig — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:54:00 +0000

The stories of Texas’ wind farms are commonly told in terms of acres and megawatts. Artists Laura Zak and Kim Cypert, however, want to dig deeper into the cultural and social impacts of the state’s booming wind industry. Zak and Cypert are working on a performance art show incorporating insights from the digital wind energy oral history collection at Texas Tech University’s Special Collection Library, in Lubbock. The collection, which includes interviews with farmers, landowners, wind developers, municipal leaders and environmentalists, documents the experiences of those affected by wind energy development in Texas.

Batteries on a Wind Farm Help Control Power Output

By MATTHEW L. WALD — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:09:15 +0000

A wind farm in West Virginia has been using big containers of batteries to make the electricity from 61 turbines more useful to the power grid.

Future of Solar and Wind Power May Hinge on Federal Aid

By KATE GALBRAITH — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:23:04 +0000

Questions arise as to whether the wind and solar power industries could continue growing quickly without government tax credits and other incentives.

Green Blog: Are Green Jobs Viable?

By THE NEW YORK TIMES — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:22:29 +0000

Does the money channeled into creating jobs in sectors like wind power achieve what is intended?

Wind Power More Feasible in Pacific Northwest with Adoption of Electric Vehicles

David A Gabel, ENN — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:51:00 +0000

A new report from the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory shows that electric vehicles could aid in expanding renewable energy sources like wind in the Pacific Northwest. This region of the United States is increasingly looking at wind power to satisfy their growing energy demands. The report found that the Northwest power system could better utilize wind energy if about 13 percent, or 2.1 million vehicles, in the seven Northwest states were plug-in electrics, equipped with Grid Friendly(TM) charging technology.

Green Column: Wind Power Gains as Gear Improves

By KATE GALBRAITH — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 06:30:02 +0000

Turbines have grown larger and more effective, with some models capable of producing 300 times as much power as those sold 15 years ago.

Green: The Long History of Wind Power

By THE NEW YORK TIMES — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:17:15 +0000

A museum reminds visitors that Texas was once covered with windmills that pumped water from aquifers so cattle could drink and gardens could grow.

Green: Israeli-Palestinian Wind-Power Partners

By TAMIR ELTERMAN — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 19:40:03 +0000

An Israeli and a Palestinian have joined forces on wind turbine installations, making it easier to forge business relationships in both Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Green: A Hybrid Power Plant Takes Shape in Turkey

By MATTHEW L. WALD — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 20:56:52 +0000

Solar and wind power will supplement natural gas at optimal points during the day at the plant, which will be built in Karaman, Turkey.

Fickle Winds, Intermittent Sunshine Start to Stress U.S. Power System

By PETER BEHR of ClimateWire — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:23:01 +0000

The growth of U.S. wind power has begun to create operating challenges for nuclear and coal plants that must be ramped up and...

Hawaii Doubles Down on ‘Big Wind,’ Seeking Long-Term Energy Solution

By LAURA PETERSEN of Greenwire — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:33:02 +0000

While experts agree Hawaii has tremendous wind-power potential, tapping that resource has become mired in controversy, ...

Green: ‘Dirty’ Energy in China and India

By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 21:16:34 +0000

Talk of the countries' investments in solar and wind power may obscure the reality of an insatiable demand for coal and other fossil fuels.

Green: ‘Dirty’ Energy Thrives in China and India

By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:17:22 +0000

Talk of the countries' investments in solar and wind power may obscure the reality of an insatiable demand for coal and other fossil fuels.

Search for Wind-Related Grid Problems Finds a Bigger Concern

By PETER BEHR of ClimateWire — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 15:23:01 +0000

A national laboratory report targeted at wind power integration has found unexpected evidence of the electricity grid's vulne...

Wind Power

soladood — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 01:38:56 +0000

Wind Power. It’s everywhere – yippee!!

Take a look at this video that i shot with my phone as we were driving from Sydney to Melbourne (Australia)

The Texas Tribune: Lack of Transmission Lines Is Restricting Wind Power

By KATE GALBRAITH — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 07:00:28 +0000

The lack of transmission lines has helped to thwart the ambitions of wind-power advocates in Texas, but that may be changing.