On all sides of the energy debate, almost all seek alternative energy sources, whether it be for economic, environmental, or natural reasons. An increasingly viable source of energy today is wind power.
In fact, wind power clearly seems to be a viable, clean alternative energy source that some contend attribute to global warming. Despite any perspectives one may take on the subject, wind farms are popping up every where in the United States, generating seven times more power than a decade ago to harness the abundance of naturally occurring energy.
In 2000, the wind power capacity in the United States totaled less than 5,000 megawatts (MW). Today, the capacity exceeds 35,000 MW, which roughly equates into enough energy to power 9.7 million homes, according to the American Wind Energy Association.
The U.S. is not alone in this wind power initiative. Over 80 countries worldwide rely on wind energy, generating a total world capacity of 159.2 gigawatts (GW) in 2009. The energy production that year amounted to 340 terawatt-hours (TWh), roughly 2% of the world's energy consumption according to Worldwatch.org.
Some leaders around the globe are Denmark, Germany, Spain. Denmark generates 20% of its energy from wind power, Germany rolls out 7%, and in parts of 2008, 40% of Spain's monthly energy usage derived from wind power.
The United States, however, has utilized its wind farms as well. Minnesota cranks out 7% of its energy from wind, and Iowa produces a high 14% of its energy out of wind resources. Texas, however, leads the U.S. in the number of wind farms and the maximum wind power capacity. Texas' capacity stands currently at 9,506 MW. Fourteen other states have a capacity exceeding 1,000 MW.
This rise in wind power has been accompanied by the U.S. and particular state governments subsidizing wind power plants. Likewise, the U.S. government provides tax credit for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) produced. Many states will reduce property taxes for wind farms, and many manufactures will pay utility premiums that go toward subsidizing new wind power plants.
In fact, wind - an abundant natural and renewable resource - converts to electricity very easily. After building the enormous wind turbines, the highest expense for wind farms, winds turns the large arms, like a pinwheel, which turns gears in a generator that converts the wind motion to energy.
Although the construction of turbines and wind farms is the most expensive investment in harnessing this new energy, many estimate that maintenance only costs around one cent per kWh. However, the government's regulation of electricity prices often thwarts the potential profitability of wind farms.
Political and economic influences shall determine the outcome of the wind market; however, wind generated power has remained a viable, clean alternative energy source in the past decade. In the future, we could expect the development of wind energy, in addition to nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, biomass, and geothermic energies.
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