Wind Energy- RESOURCES
The Wonders Of Wind Energy
When it comes to wind turbines, we’re big fans!
Wind energy is the main source of U.S. renewable energy. In 2020, 8.4% of U.S. electricity was generated from the wind.
America’s wind energy potential is 17 times the annual U.S. electricity consumption.
One modern wind turbine can generate enough power for 500 homes. In a year, one new turbine can offset the equivalent of 900 gas-powered cars worth of carbon.
There are more than 60,000 utility-scale wind turbines in the United States in 41 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
The 2019 U.S. wind capacity offset an estimated 198 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions.
“Wind energy offers many advantages, which explains why it's one of the fastest-growing energy sources in the world. Wind is actually a form of solar energy. Winds are caused by the heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the rotation of the Earth, and the Earth's surface irregularities. For as long as the sun shines and the wind blows, the energy produced can be harnessed to send power across the grid.”—-www.energy.gov
“We should be using Nature's inexhaustible sources of energy - sun, wind and tide. I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.”—Thomas Edison
“As yet, the wind is an untamed, and unharnessed force; and quite possibly one of the greatest discoveries hereafter to be made, will be the taming, and harnessing of it.”
Here are some excellent organizations promoting renewable wind energy.
Getting to Zero is the most ambitious effort in human history. Every year, humans add 51 billion tons of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. If we’re going to avoid a climate disaster, we have to get from 51 billion to zero in just 30 years.
Ampyx Power is developing utility-scale Airborne Wind Energy Systems with tethered wings that convert stronger winds above 200 meters into electricity. Using compact systems, they avoid the use of heavy towers and foundations, making it a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for the production of wind energy.
Skypull uses advanced drone technology to generate wind energy.
Kitepower develops the future generation of wind energy systems. Innovative technology can significantly reduce the cost of wind energy and can be used in remote locations. Their systems are environmentally friendly with minimal visual and noise impact.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory focuses on creative answers to today's energy challenges. From breakthroughs in fundamental science to new clean technologies to integrated energy systems that power our lives, NREL researchers are transforming the way the nation and the world use energy.
“Twelve states in the Great Plains have a wind energy potential greater then the electric use of our entire nation.”
Resources For the Future’s mission is to improve environmental, energy, and natural resource decisions through impartial economic research and policy engagement.
American Wind Energy Association is the voice of wind energy in the United States promoting renewable energy to power a cleaner, stronger America.
Citizens Climate Lobby is committed to building the political will for the climate solutions we all need. As empowered citizens, they talk with neighbors, friends, and local officials about how national climate action can help ensure a healthy future while strengthening the American economy. We at Force For Good are big fans (so to speak) and supporters of our local CCL group.
“First, there is the power of the Wind, constantly exerted over the globe.... Here is an almost incalculable power at our disposal, yet how trifling the use we make of it! It only serves to turn a few mills, blow a few vessels across the ocean, and a few trivial ends besides. What a poor compliment do we pay to our indefatigable and energetic servant!”
PennEnvironment protects the places we love while promoting core environmental values, such as clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and clean energy to power our lives. They focus on timely, targeted action that wins tangible improvements in the quality of our environment and lives. We are Force For Good are big fans (so to speak) of PE. Our Wind film debuted at their Philadelphia Climate Change Conference in 2019.
Sustainable Princeton (NJ, United States) is leading community change toward sustainability.
The Global Wind Energy Council has a mission to ensure that wind power establishes itself as the answer to today’s energy challenges, providing substantial environmental and economic benefits. They help deliver the jobs, clean and affordable power, and energy security needed for a sustainable economic recovery.
American Clean Power is the voice of companies from across the clean power sector that are powering America’s future and providing cost-effective solutions to the climate crisis while creating jobs, spurring massive investment in the U.S. economy, and driving high-tech innovation across the nation. Sustainability is at the core of everything the people at ACP do. In addition to supporting policies that advance America’s clean energy economy, ACP also focuses on reducing their own operational impact on the environment and encourages staff to use best practices to promote sustainability in their personal lives.
“U.S. wind power has more than tripled over the past decade, and today is the largest source of renewable electricity in the country.”
World Wind Energy Association is an international non-profit association embracing the wind sector worldwide, with more than 600 members in some 100 countries, working for the promotion and worldwide deployment of wind energy technology.
This is a list of wind farms in the US (most are in the Great Plains) with a fascinating graph and statistics indicating leading states (North Dakota).
American Council on Renewable Energy is a national nonprofit organization that unites finance, policy, and technology to accelerate the transition to a renewable energy economy. They provide a focal point for collaborative advocacy across the renewable energy sector.
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
“When the winds of change blow, some people build walls while others build windmills.”—Chinese Proverb
“The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”—John Muir
“The winds of grace are always blowing, but you have to raise the sail.”—Ramakrishna