Slowly but surely most advanced nations in the world are moving toward renewable energy. New ideas are always emerging, but ocean wind turbines are the newest and most promising one so far.

"We will never get what we want from land," said David Still—managing director of London-based Clipper Windpower Europe—in reference to both the terrestrial wind power and a new solution to locate near the ocean where winds reach their highest speed levels. He predicts that by 2020, half of the United Kingdom's wind power will be cranked out by offshore turbines. We moved our oil digs from land and to platforms out in the middle of the ocean to maximize our intakes, so why not take our wind turbines and place them offshore to increase renewable energy?

Currently, about 85 percent of wind generation capacity worldwide is split between Europe (70 percent) and the United States (15 percent). That's why people such as Peter Mandelstand—who plans on developing an ocean wind project off the coast of Delaware—and Jim Gordon—who plans on installing a 468-megawatt wind farm off of Cape Cod—are determined to make their projects a reality and increase the production of ocean wind power in the United States.

Marine wind generation started in the early 1990's and remains in its infancy. We have a long ways to go, but surely we are moving forward.

Oregon took a big step forward in its effort to make the state even greener when Governor Ted Kulongoski signed Senate Bill 838 into law last month, creating a renewable energy standard in Oregon that requires the state's largest utilities to meet 25 percent of their electric load with new renewable energy sources by 2025.
Image courtesy of OregonScenics.com

"This bill is the most significant environmental legislation we can enact in more than 30 years that will also stimulate billions of dollars in investment—creating hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs in both urban and rural Oregon," Governor Kulongoski said. "Today we are not only setting the state on a responsible path toward 25 percent renewable energy by 2025, but we are protecting our quality of life, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, stimulating our economy—and protecting ratepayers with more stable and predictable utility rates."

The legislation creates interim targets of: 5 percent by 2011; 15 percent by 2015; 20 percent by 2020; and 25 percent by 2025. To meet the standard, electricity must come from a new renewable energy source that was in operation on or after January 1, 1995. Sources of energy that count toward the standard include wind, solar, wave, geothermal, biomass, new hydro or efficiency upgrades to existing hydro facilities.

It also contains protections for ratepayers, including a 4 percent cost-cap. Utilities are not required to comply with the standard if doing so will result in cost increases of more than four percent. In addition, if none of the options for compliance are cost-effective, utilities have the option to make an Alternative Compliance Payment (ACP) to help meet their renewable energy requirement under the standard. The money will be placed into an account that can be used at a later date to acquire renewable energy, invest in conservation or, in the case of consumer-owned utilities, research and development.

Utilities that contribute less than three percent to the total state energy load are exempt from meeting 25 percent of their demand with new renewable energy source by 2025. Instead, they must meet either a five percent or 10 percent target, depending on their size. They also must comply with the large utility standard if they make new investments in coal-fired generation.

"This bill is not the end—it's just the beginning of a much broader, sustained effort to reestablish and maintain Oregon as a leader in innovative environmental and energy policies that protect our quality of life, contribute to a robust economy and combat global warming," the Governor continued. "There is still work before us this session to build on today's success. We must not leave without enacting the biofuels legislation and expanding the business energy tax credit program so we can continue to address the very real issue of climate change and create a stronger, cleaner and more energy independent Oregon.'

For more information, check out this downloadable Oregon Renewable Energy Act FAQ.

The U.S. wind energy industry is on track to install over 3,000 megawatts (MW) of wind power generating capacity nationwide in 2007, with Texas likely to account for about two thirds of the new installations, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) said today in its first quarter market report. Over 100 MW have newly come online in the U.S. so far this year, and over 1,000 more are under construction in Texas alone, according to AWEA. One megawatt of wind power produces enough electricity on average to serve 250 to 300 homes.

"Clean, cost-effective, inexhaustible, and readily available wind power is an essential element of the solution to both climate change and America's increasing demand for electricity," said AWEA executive director Randall Swisher. " Texas recognized this business opportunity and successfully spurred wind power development with a Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) and other forward-looking policies."

"The moment has come for the U.S. government to build on the example set by Texas and many other states, and enact a national RPS as part of any energy legislation it considers this year," added Swisher.

Fifty U.S. Senators recently called for a "strong" national RPS and it is likely that the U.S. Congress will consider RPS legislation this summer. A Renewables Portfolio Standard uses market mechanisms to ensure that a growing percentage of electricity is produced from renewable sources.

"Already one of our nation's top agricultural producers, Texas is now reaping the benefits of being a top wind producer," said Ned Meister, director of Commodity and Regulatory Activities for the Texas Farm Bureau. "Texas' RPS is fueling new economic and environmental benefits for Texas farmers and ranchers." Wind farms revitalize the economy of rural communities by providing steady income to farmers, ranchers, and other landowners. Each wind turbine contributes $3,000 to $5,000 per year or more in farm income.

Currently, Texas is the state with the largest amount of wind power in operation, providing income to rural communities, new business and jobs, as well as clean, renewable energy for its economy. Twenty-two states now have an RPS, and, given the economic success of the policy and the urgency of addressing global warming, several have recently moved to strengthen their requirements. In the past few months alone, New Mexico and Colorado both increased their renewable energy requirement to 20 percent by 2020, and Minnesota adopted an RPS of 25 percent by 2025.

The first hundred megawatts installed this year were completed in Oklahoma (60 MW), Maine (33 MW), Texas (10 MW), and Hawaii (21 MW). Cumulative wind power generating capacity in the U.S. now stands at 11,699 MW. This capacity will generate an estimated 31 billion kilowatt-hours this year, enough to serve the equivalent of nearly 3 million average households.

For more information, check out the AWEA press release.

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) recently responded to the findings of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report on the benefits and impacts of wind energy in the Mid-Atlantic region.

According to AWEA's Executive Director Randall Swisher, "The report verifies the fact that wind energy development's overall impact on birds is extremely low compared with many other human-related activities. More than a thousand times as many birds are killed flying into buildings, for example, than wind turbines."

With respect to bird collisions, the NAS report said, in a section entitled Bird Deaths in Context, "Clearly, bird deaths caused by wind turbines are a minute fraction of . . . total anthropogenic bird deaths—less than 0.003 percent [three of every 100,000] in 2003."

National Audubon Society President John Flicker is an outspoken supporter of wind energy. In a column he wrote for the November-December 2006 issue of the Society's magazine, he stated that Audubon "strongly supports [properly sited] wind power as a clean alternative energy source" and pointed to the threat global warming poses to birds and other wildlife.

"The wind industry is a conscientious and highly active steward of the environment and supports and funds ground-breaking wildlife research through collaborative agreements with conservation groups and foundations," said Swisher, adding, "Wind power is an essential element of the solution to both climate change and America's exponentially increasing demand for electricity . It's 100 percent clean, free and inexhaustible, and a readily available and cost-effective source of energy throughout most of the U.S."

AWEA estimates that in 2007, wind electricity will displace approximately 19 million tons of carbon dioxide—the leading greenhouse gas and primary global warming pollutant—which otherwise would be emitted by traditional energy sources such as coal, natural gas, and oil. The also say that with the growing public demand for clean energy, there is broad recognition that wind energy is essential in balancing our nation's energy needs.

For more information, check out the American Wind Energy Association press release.

The Texas House of Representatives recently adopted new legislation that was created to ensure the development of 500 megawatts (MW) of "non-wind" renewable energy, including include biomass, geothermal and hydropower, by 2015.

The legislation, put forth by Representative Wayne Christian, would create a mandatory non-wind goal within the Texas renewable portfolio standard (RPS). Originally adopted in 1999, the Texas RPS is considered one of the most successful of its kind in the nation to stimulate the growth of renewable energy.

Proponents say that if it is signed into law this year, the legislation would:

• Foster reliable and renewable energy sources: biomass, geothermal and hydropower plants are capable of operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year


• Diversify the electricity generation portfolio in Texas and encourage development of new renewable resources throughout the State


• Lower electricity rates for Texas consumers by reducing the reliance on the state's most expensive and inefficient peak power plants


• Improve air and water quality


• Create thousands of high-paying construction and operation jobs


• Encourage economic development that will pump hundreds of millions of dollars into local economies throughout the state


• Reduce the generation of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change

The legislation has enjoyed broad, diverse and overwhelming support and is supported by state environmental organizations, numerous power producers, state and national trade associations, as well as large corporations.

For more information, check out the press release Texas House of Representatives Again Adopts Legislation to Encourage New Renewable Energy Development.

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) recently released its annual rankings of wind energy development in the United States. The U.S. wind energy industry installed over 2,400 megawatts (MW) of new power generation in the country, an investment of about $4 billion, making wind one of the largest sources of new power generation in the country at a time of growing electricity demand. Total installed U.S. wind power capacity is over 11,600 MW, or enough to serve the equivalent of 3 million average households.

The rankings include the states that generate the most electricity from wind, the nation's largest wind farms, leading suppliers of wind turbines, largest owners of wind projects, utilities that use the most wind power for their customers, and other industry information.

"These wind power rankings tell the story of a vibrant industry that is growing fast, competing hard, gaining market share, and all the while powering a cleaner, stronger America," said AWEA executive director Randall Swisher. "Our new Congressional district rankings also serve as a reminder of the many benefits that wind power brings to local communities—new jobs, more local revenue, cleaner air, and an essential, home-grown contribution to meeting the challenge of global warming."

However, a long-term extension of the renewable energy production tax credit (PTC) is crucial to sustain this growth. Previous short-term extensions have led to a boom-and-bust cycle in the wind industry, increasing costs along the entire supply chain and preventing businesses from growing to their full potential.

AWEA's annual rankings provide a standard reference for tracking the growth of wind power in the U.S. Texas is firmly established as the leader in wind power development, with over 2,700 MW installed at the end of 2006 and some 1,000 MW currently under construction. Washington moves into fifth place (ahead of Oklahoma) with the addition of two large projects, Big Horn and Wild Horse. Iowa and Minnesota look likely to break the 1,000 MW mark in 2007. Washington will come close, with the 140-MW Marengo project that is currently under construction there.

Information for these rankings was reported to AWEA by Association members. For more detailed data on existing wind power projects in the U.S., visit www.awea.org/projects.

Every dollar spent for construction of new transmission lines to support the development of wind resources in Texas will result in a $5 to $7 reduction in energy costs, according to testimony filed this month with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) by Electric Transmission Texas LLC (ETT), a proposed joint venture between subsidiaries of American Electric Power and MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co.

The testimony, which was submitted as a part of the PUCT's Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) Docket, supports a study by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) through ETT's own analysis while at the same time providing an additional analysis sponsored jointly by ETT and The Wind Coalition, a group of large wind developers, equipment suppliers and public interest organizations promoting wind development in the south central United States. The jointly-sponsored study focused on the benefits of new transmission to support wind resources throughout the state and did not specifically address the ETT proposal filed in the CREZ Docket.

"The jointly-sponsored analysis validates the conclusions of the earlier ERCOT study, which indicated that consumers would save between $221 million to $1.278 billion per year with the addition of 1,000 to 5,250 megawatts of wind generation," said Calvin Crowder, ETT executive director.

"In fact, the study jointly sponsored with The Wind Coalition, as well as our own separate analysis, concludes that the savings initially projected by ERCOT are conservative. "Clearly, there is a strong economic case for moving forward to build new transmission lines to ensure the development of wind resources throughout the state," Crowder continued. "At the same time, we advocate seizing upon what we see as a unique opportunity to address the long-term transmission needs within ERCOT."

ETT has proposed the construction of approximately 1,000 miles of transmission lines to support development of Competitive Renewable Energy Zones in Texas. At the same time, ETT proposes consideration by the PUCT and ERCOT of a high-voltage, high-capacity backbone transmission system to support long-range reliability and customer growth needs facing the state.

For more details about the plan, check out the press release.