Introduction to Wind Energy

Abstract

This note provides a technical and market overview of the wind power industry as of 2007. Growing off a small base, investments in wind energy technology and applications are rapidly expanding worldwide. Oil price increases, energy security, and renewable energy demand are driving investments and technology innovations as well as new entrants into the industry. As a consequence of component supply falling behind demand, prices have risen; state, federal, and international government policies will also have a significant impact on supply and demand in the years that follow. Excerpt UVA-ENT-0017 Rev. Mar. 30, 2011 INTRODUCTION TO WIND ENERGY 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! —Henry David Thoreau In 2006, the world's highest wind turbine was built in Laasow, Germany. Installed on a 160m SeeBA tower, the Fuhrlander 2.5MW turbine, designed by Wind to Energy GmbH, delivers 7 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year—enough to power about 1,800 four-person households. Could wind energy, which currently meets barely 1% of the world's energy needs, become a major power source in the decades to come? This technical note describes the technology and economics of wind energy and explores some of the many forces driving the industry. Introduction Source: Wind to Energy GmbH (W2E)(http://www.wind-to-energy.de; accessed 10 October 2007). . . .