Wind energy within the United states updates

And we know nukes are shit, too.

Be sure to hold onto those aeronautical sexual encounters!

Nuclear power has a great safety record as compared to any other cirrent means of large scale power generation.

It also has a better safety record than driving or flying.

And before you start whining about nuclear waste read this.

There Is No Such Thing as Nuclear Waste - WSJ.com

Nuclear and renewables could be a winning ticket. We can't have one without the other. :eusa_angel:
 
Have the Nascar race (a totally absurd event) in the daytime for one.

Thanks for such an easy target.
 
Have the Nascar race (a totally absurd event) in the daytime for one.

Thanks for such an easy target.

You're such a practical dweeb.. :tongue:

But I don't think you're gonna make it as mgr of Utility's Operation Center if you can't make those calls and answer those easy questions about utilizing wind on a grid that's supposed to be UP and READY every minute of the day..

BTW: Since NASCAR is a Southern thing and things get pretty damn hot in the daytime, we move stuff to nighttime so that we have less injuries from heat stroke and sun exposure. We'll certainly look into the energy savings that could make NASCAR Greener and more appealing just for you..
 
Freedom to commit suicide? Go ahead, but don't take everyone else with you.
 
Michigan 25 by 25 Ballot Initiative Would Double State’s Green Jobs

August 14, 2012 By Silvio Marcacci Leave a Comment

Michigan 25 by 25 Ballot Initiative Would Double State's Green Jobs
Increasing Michigan’s renewable energy standard (RES) to 25 percent by 2025 would be a “job-creating machine” that doubles the number of green jobs in the state, according to a new Michigan State University (MSU) study. The 25 by 25 RES proposal, just certified by the state’s Bureau of Elections to appear on this year’s ballot, would more than double Michigan’s renewable electricity target from the current 10 percent by 2015 goal.

The MSU study, “Projected Job and Investment Impacts of Policy Requiring 25% Renewable Energy by 2025 in Michigan,” found that increasing the state RES would create at least 74,500 new green collar jobs, and potentially up to 113,850 jobs. Specifically, the RES would create 31,500 construction jobs, 43,000 operations and maintenance jobs, and around 4,200 manufacturing jobs.

Doubling Down, Long-Term

A Bureau of Labor Statistics analysis published in March found that Michigan currently has 80,000 green collar jobs, meaning the RES would at least double the state’s green workforce. In addition, the ballot measure would create more than $10 billion in new investments.

These new jobs would last, too. “Jobs” are defined as full job years in the study, meaning full employment for one person at 2,080 hours in a 12-month span. Operations and maintenance jobs are calculated to last for a 20-30 year duration.

These workforce and economic benefits directly contrast with a study published last month by a coalition opposing the RES, which found it would create $10 billion in higher utility bills. “All the evidence proves the simple fact that increasing Michigan’s renewable energy standard will put Michiganders back to work and bring much-needed new investments,” said Jim Moran, president of Advanced Energy Group.

Wind’s The Winner

The wind energy industry would be the biggest economic winner of all the renewable energy technologies modeled in the MSU study. A 25 percent RES would directly create 22,450 job years from construction, 14,500 potential job years from affiliated services like land leasing or legal services, 4,650 job years from increased lodging and food services for construction workers, and 1,130 job years to run and maintain the new wind farms for every year they are in operation.



Self Sufficiency, Please

But beyond doubling the green collar workforce, a 25 by 25 target make economic sense for Michigan’s electricity market. As Grist’s David Roberts recently noted, the state imports a majority of its fossil fuel resources at a cost of $22.6 billion, but has enough local renewable energy potential to power itself three times over.

Michigan’s Public Service Commission found the price of renewable electricity is now cheaper than coal-fired electricity generated in the state – and that’s not even considering external costs like asthma, greenhouse gases, or mercury pollution. In 2008, the state had 34 operational wind turbines. Today, it has at least 288, and likely more since energy companies are not required to report new turbines.

As Michigan voters tune into what’s at stake this November to determine their vote on the 25 by 25 ballot measure, they should remember that voting yes means economic and environmental benefits. “It’s a job creating machine, with the added benefit of cleaner air, improved public health, and healthier communities,” said Chris Kolb, president of the Michigan Environmental Council.
 
I think the debate on energy has actually started to reach the stage where most people are in broad agreement - but a few posters on this board are well behind on their news reading.

Countries need to choose the most sustainable and cost-effective methods for their environment, and that means different solutions will work best in different locations. There is no single catch-all solution.

Nuclear is essential in Finland, but not viable in Japan or New Zealand.
Scotland, Norway and Korea need little else than tidal, which may not work in Germany or France.
Wind is a great option in Spain and Denmark, but is probably not going to be a silver bullet anywhere else.
Solar is magnificant in Cyprus, Turkey and Israel - less so in Alaska or Vermont.

Any sane government will consider the entire menu, and choose a mix of nuclear, tidal, hydro, wind and solar accordingly.
 
Nuclear is a good option, but very expensive. And there is always wind blowing in several somewheres in a nation as big as the US. However, we need a national grid to efectively take advantage of that. Solar will do very well as the price has come down to one dollar a watt or less for panels in bulk. Watch for sales, and even a homeowner can get that price. Solar also has the advantage that it is produced at the time of greatest use of electricity. Also, in concert with EV's, could make homeowners financially more independent.

There is no one right way. It depends on where you are at, and what kind of power is available.
 
I think the debate on energy has actually started to reach the stage where most people are in broad agreement - but a few posters on this board are well behind on their news reading.

Countries need to choose the most sustainable and cost-effective methods for their environment, and that means different solutions will work best in different locations. There is no single catch-all solution.

Nuclear is essential in Finland, but not viable in Japan or New Zealand.
Scotland, Norway and Korea need little else than tidal, which may not work in Germany or France.
Wind is a great option in Spain and Denmark, but is probably not going to be a silver bullet anywhere else.
Solar is magnificant in Cyprus, Turkey and Israel - less so in Alaska or Vermont.

Any sane government will consider the entire menu, and choose a mix of nuclear, tidal, hydro, wind and solar accordingly.

I really don't care about energy production in any other country but ours.
 
Nuclear is a good option, but very expensive. And there is always wind blowing in several somewheres in a nation as big as the US. However, we need a national grid to efectively take advantage of that. Solar will do very well as the price has come down to one dollar a watt or less for panels in bulk. Watch for sales, and even a homeowner can get that price. Solar also has the advantage that it is produced at the time of greatest use of electricity. Also, in concert with EV's, could make homeowners financially more independent.

There is no one right way. It depends on where you are at, and what kind of power is available.

Nuclear is not that expensive.

UK offshore wind costs at least twice nuclear: study | Reuters

Even if wind can generate power for the same price as nuclear the wind does not blow all the time.

And do you really want to see a fucking ugly windmill everywhere you look?

I sure as hell don't.
 
I really don't care about energy production in any other country but ours.

Then look forward to making the same mistakes other countries have already made.

btw. Windmills are ugly - but if you look at how the UK is placing them 100kms out to sea, that needn't be a problem. Which is exactly what I mean by learning from other countries.
 
I really don't care about energy production in any other country but ours.

Then look forward to making the same mistakes other countries have already made.

btw. Windmills are ugly - but if you look at how the UK is placing them 100kms out to sea, that needn't be a problem. Which is exactly what I mean by learning from other countries.

Yeah off shore wind is only twice as expensive as nuclear.

Good deal that.
 
Skull -

I'm not a massive fan of wind energy myself. It has its uses, but those uses are limited because it simply doen't generate enough energy when compared to tidal or nuclear.

Offshore wind also has its uses, because it does allow for a massive amont of turbines to be installed without any visual pollution. I do agree that it is expensive, though.
 
I really don't care about energy production in any other country but ours.

Then look forward to making the same mistakes other countries have already made.

btw. Windmills are ugly - but if you look at how the UK is placing them 100kms out to sea, that needn't be a problem. Which is exactly what I mean by learning from other countries.

That's a good idea. Over the ocean has more reliable constant winds too.
 
This thread will be for all updates on the expansion of wind power within the United states. I'm going to work to combine some of the threads this way to not clutter the forum.
-Updates on percentage of electric is done by wind power
-Updates on the construction of new wind power sites
-Reports on the super big wind farms...


US Reaches 50 GW of Wind Energy Capacity in Q2 of 2012



US Reaches 50GW of Wind Energy Capacity in Q2 of 2012 - CleanTechnica
Wind energy in the United States hit a new benchmark, reaching 50 gigawatts (GW) of electric capacity in the second quarter of 2012.

The announcement was made by Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) at the National Clean Energy Summit in Los Vegas, Nevada.



So far this year, according to the AWEA, 2,800 megawatts (MW) of wind, along with 1,400 wind turbines have been installed across the US, helping the wind industry reach this fantastic achievement. Many of the new installations have come from new projects in Nevada, Idaho, Iowa, Hawaii Oklahoma, and California. Some of the key projects that are going in across six of these states, according to the AWEA include:

■Pattern Energy’s Spring Valley wind farm, 30 miles east of Ely, Nevada (151.8 MW)
■Enel Green Power North America’s Rocky Ridge wind farm in Oklahoma (148.8 MW)
■enXco’s Pacific Wind project in Kern County, California (140 MW)
■Utah Associated Municipal Power’s Horse Butte project in Idaho (57.6 MW)
■First Wind’s Kaheawa Wind II wind farm in Hawaii (21 MW)

What has occurred in the wind industry with the US reaching that plateau is quite remarkable. Consider the following:
■Between 1981 and 2003, 5 GW of wind power was generated. That number doubled to 10 GW by 2006, then 25 GW by 2008, and now 50 GW in 2012.
■Nuclear energy was the last new energy technology to reach 50 GW, done in the late 1970’s and 1980’s.

The next question you are going to wonder is how much 50 GW of wind energy gets you. This beautiful infographic below, supplied by the AWEA, shows just how much impact 50 GW of wind power can do:

The most interesting fact I found out from this infographic was that wind potential is enough to take out coal power plants in the US. 50 GW of wind provides the same amount of energy as 44 coal fire power plants, or 11 nuclear power plants. The future potential to move at a lighting-fast pace and replace these sunset energy sources is very realistic, especially when you consider that 39 states now have utility-sized wind farms, according to the AWEA.

Politicians were pleased with the US wind energy’s latest milestone. “This milestone for wind-energy production marks continued success for this clean, renewable and domestically produced energy source,” said Republican Senator Chuck Grassley in a statement. “Wind energy has exceeded expectations since I first authored the tax incentive, in 1992, and offers an ideal for expanded production and use of alternative energy sources in the future.”

“It is amazing that 50,000 megawatts of our nation’s power is generated from clean and affordable wind energy,” Oklahoma Republican Frank Lucas Said.

“This is a very big milestone for the wind industry, and I am proud the Rocky Ridge Wind Project has contributed to this great success. As a leader of Congress, representing Oklahoma’s Third Congressional District, I have supported the wind energy in the past, and I will continue to support it in the future,” he said.

The impact of the wind industry isn’t just on the environment but also economically, on the domestic level. Most of the capacity growth has come from turbines made in the USA, around 60%, according to the statement.

Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Energy in the statement also agreed with the positive economic impact the wind industry has had.

“We’re very proud that Spring Valley Wind is not only Nevada’s first wind power facility but also helps America reach 50 gigawatts of clean wind generation.”

“Spring Valley Wind brought over 250 jobs to Nevada and will now power up to 45,000 local homes with zero emissions. This project will also generate significant tax revenue and community benefits for decades to come, demonstrating that wind energy is a meaningful long-term investment in the economic health of local communities.”

However, uncertainty about the Production Tax Credit (PTC), credited for spurring the development of the domestic wind industry, has plagued wind developers and threatens jobs, according to Denise Bode:


“These truly are the best of times and could be the worst of times for American wind power,”

“This month we shattered the 50-gigawatt mark, and we’re on pace for one of our best years ever in terms of megawatts installed. But because of the uncertainty surrounding the extension of the Production Tax Credit, incoming orders are grinding to a halt,”

“Layoffs have begun up and down our American manufacturing supply chain, which the industry has so proudly has built up in support of the U.S. economy and made-in-the USA manufacturing. And when incoming orders stop, so do factories. Congress must act now to give wind energy a stable business environment to keep producing all this homegrown power, and save 37,000 American jobs by the first quarter of next year.”

However, hope is on the horizon, as the Senate Finance Committee on August 7th passed the “Family and Business Tax Cut Act.” The act would help extend the PTC, vital for further industrial growth.

Overall, 50GW of wind electricity capacity is something to be celebrated by everyone.

Pic of how many homes it can power at different MW level
http://c1cleantechnicacom.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2012/08/INFOGRAPHIC_AWEA.jpg





You might want to take Spring Valley off of the list. Lawsuits will keep it from starting for years to come...if ever.
 
Pattern Energy's Spring Valley Wind project has been completed and is fully operation. The 151.8 MW wind farm is the largest in Nevada. The project utilizes 66 Siemens 2.3 MW wind turbines and is connected to an existing 230 kilovolt transmission line for electricity distribution.

As part of the project, Pattern provided mitigation measures to minimize environmental impacts, including the preservation of cultural resources, funding for sage grouse, curtailment standards, modified electrical lines to reduce risks to birds, and an advanced radar system designed to protect birds and bats.

Key industry players in Nevada believe that renewable energy is the way of the future and that if they tap into all the renewable energy sources available in Nevada, the state should be easily energy independent.


Read more: Pattern Energy wind project features advanced mitigation - FierceEnergy Pattern Energy wind project features advanced mitigation - FierceEnergy
Subscribe: Energy Industry Newsletter - FierceEnergy
 
Pattern completes Nevada's first wind project | Windpower Monthly


Last year, a coalition of environmental and tribal groups, including the Centre for Biological Diversity and Western Watersheds Project, filed a lawsuit against the project over its potential environmental and cultural impacts.

Speaking about the completion of the project, interior secretary Ken Salazar said: "Advancing smart renewable energy development on our nation’s public lands is a key component to President Obama’s all-of-the-above energy strategy.

"Starting today, Nevada’s first wind energy project on public lands will begin powering the grid.
This is a great milestone in the collaborative public-private partnership on clean energy that is creating jobs, generating power, strengthening our economy and making us more competitive globally."

Yesterday, the US government announced plans to create a fast-track permitting process for important renewable energy projects.


As usual, Walleyes, you are a dollar short and a day late. Spring Valley is up and running.
 

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