Wind is free and almost always blowing. It is a resource that we have only just begun to take advantage of. As the production of power from fossil fuels becomes more politically complicated and environmentally hazardous, the use of alternative energy generating sources will become more are prevalent. The interesting question is - what percentage of our total energy production will wind power provide in the future?
Research shows that wind power has the capability to become a major contributing source of the US power supply. A new Department of Energy report shows that wind energy could provide for twenty percent of the total energy needs in twenty years. So by 2030, we could have one fifth of our electricity needs solved by the power of wind.
As the Department of Energy examines the various scenarios of energy production and consumption over the next decade and beyond they have compared outcomes. They have looked into the varying effects different levels of production would have and the possibility that they could occur. Their report contends that wind energy has the capability of meeting more than 20 percent of our country's needs by 2030.
There would need to be the construction of a lot of new wind generation stations, however. The installations would need to progress much faster than at their current rate. Given nine years to ramp up production, by 2018, the country would need to see 16,000 MW per year increases in wind power generation potential and continue to grow at that rate or higher through 2030 to reach the twenty percent goal.
The wind energy industry has the potential not only to decrease the cost of electricity but to generate new jobs and a new growth industry, something our economy could use in its recovery efforts. The growth potential needed to maintain the level of production thought to be possible would mean as many as 150,000 new jobs in the wind power industry. Adding in peripheral jobs created by the growth of this industry, such as electricians, steel workers, accountants, and lawyers, the new job number would reach a half million.
We all know that wind power is a great improvement over fossil fuels when it comes to our environment. Wind power will also make our country more energy self-sufficient. The more energy we can produce at home the less we need from foreign suppliers.
Another benefit is that wind power and wind generation does not have an impact on the surrounding environment. The stations will need to be located many places throughout the country, but the land that they used can be shared with other purposes, such as farming or grazing livestock. It does not damage the environment the way oil drilling and coal mining does.
Another advantage to wind power is that it does not consume any water. Our water supply is dwindling and it has been projected that by the year 2030 many states will be encountering regular water shortages. Wind power is a very good option for us. It does not use up our natural resources and it does not destroy the area where it is created.
About the author: Jerry Dyess specializes in the Texas Electricity market. He has published many articles on Texas Electric prices.
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