Wind power's other benefit
On September 30, 2005, this report indicated that there is enough offshore wind power within 50 miles of the coasts of America to meet its current electrical energy needs.
A mere nine months later, new developments in wind power technology are occurring around the world at a (happily) dizzying pace. Within the last few weeks alone:
- Southwest Windpower released a residential small wind generator, the first fully integrated generator of this type.
- GE opened a wind turbine assembly plant in China.
- It was announced that a $200 million wind power farm will be built on Maui, which will provide 20% of its power needs.
- The big story: as mentioned in my last post, Chinese developers have unveiled a new magnetic levitation wind power generator that will provide a 20% increase in energy output over traditional wind generators.
Wind power is arriving in Bickleton at a time when local farming is in serious decline. Founded more than a century ago, this town of about 90 people prospered for decades as grasslands were turned into wheat fields. There once was a bank, meat market, hotel and theater. All are long gone.
Wind power can reverse this type of economic decline, which is a common scenario across rural America, by providing a steady stream of income. As Wall street continues to take note of the growing wind power industry (wind power output has quadrupled in the past seven years, according to this article that appeared today in TheStreet.com), we're bound to see this trend continue.
Tags: wind power alternative energy Southwest Windpower GE rural economy
1 comment:
Also see this post from The Green Geek on Canada's largest wind farm officially opening.
Post a Comment