WIND ENERGY > About Wind Energy

There is a growing appreciation in the world for the importance of both conservation and the development of clean, safe, renewable energy sources. Combined, these efforts can help to reduce the strain on the environment as well as provide the users of these renewable sources with valuable shelter from the ever increasing price of fossil fuels and the volatility of energy markets.

No single renewable energy source is the right answer for every application, but for those in good wind areas with the room for a wind turbine, this can be a powerful and profitable answer. Wind is a resource that arrives free of charge and leaves no complicated or harmful byproducts in its wake. It can generate power for you around the clock, every day of the year, even when your office or school is closed.

In the United States alone, the wind industry is a $21 billion/year industry, growing at 40% per year. The U.S. has more installed wind energy generating capacity (35 gigawatts) than any other country in the world, adding 10 gigawatts of new capacity in 2009 alone.  Cumulatively this represents 2.5% of the US's generating capacity.  This rapid growth means that more wind generating capacity is being added in the US than any other source of generating capacity - fossil fuel or alternative.  In 2009, 40% of all new capacity is power by clean, renewable wind energy.

Globally, the US represents a mere 21% of the global market, with many countries in Europe generating far greater percentages of their power from wind.  This is led by Denmark, which receives 20% of their total power from wind energy.  In terms of sheer growth, China leads the way today, adding 112% more capacity to their wind generating capacity in 2009 alone.

Useful links:

• For general information about wind energy, try The American Wind Energy Association
• For general wind maps, try The US Department of Energy,  AWS Truepower, or FirstLook 
• For data about energy issues, try The Energy Information Administration from The US Department of Energy