Capacity 2002

Capacity 2007

That 5 year span saw a huge growth in our total installed megawatts (MW), and if you are keeping up with the topic of new wind projects, you’ll know that there is much more coming online in the near future. For a zoomed in view of what is going on in the sunflower state, check this file.

Kansas Wind Projects

The maps above and this Kansas map are all from 2007, but they still underscore the seriousness with which the country is taking to harnessing the wind. On the Kansas map there are over 2000 MW in proposed projects, and it is easy to understand why considering Kansas is number three in the country for wind energy potential. The top 5 states are:

#1 North Dakota

#2 Texas

#3 Kansas

#4 South Dakota

#5 Montana

If you watched the PickensPlan video, then you’ll know that we are the world wind superpower. And with an estimated $65 billion flowing into wind capacity through 2015, states like Kansas need to step up and get these projects rolling. We have to get to producing 20% of our electricity from wind as soon as possible if we’re going to follow Pickens’ blueprint, which is no short order since we aren’t expected to be close to that mark by 2020. How do we get there? What are the strategies? Kansas, do you have the answer?

This gentleman has the same thoughts that we do.  The main being collaboration.  We as a society can do anything, if we were all on the same page.  We want to personally thank Mitch Miller for the insight and reference for this video for a second post.  Take the next 5 minutes and do yourself and our country a favor and watch the video.

T. Boone Pickens

Together…we can take a stand to make a difference!!

Week after week it seems like more projects to produce electricity via wind are popping up.  It’s a new fad, and tons of companies want to get in on the fun.  Take the already mentioned Pickens’ Plan.  He proposes a huge farm in Texas that will produce thousands of megawatts of power.  Pickens also wants to push the percentage of wind power generation into the twenties, which is a tall order considering it is currently at about one percent.  That shouldn’t be much of a detterent though because we have the capability (money) and the geography (the U.S. is considered the Saudia Arabia of wind power).

The problem

There is, however, an issue.  Despite the fact that an annual U.S. Department of Energy report shows a 46% growth in wind energy in 2007, the renewable energy production tax credit (PTC) is set to expire at the end of 2008.  This legislation provides major support for building new, more responsible ways to produce energy in this country, and it needs to be, funny as it may sound, renewed.  That 46% growth broke records and with incentives to keep growing the industry it will keep breaking records, but there is also the potential that it could come to a screeching halt.

What to do

What is the endgame to all of this: To have a more efficient and responsible way of life.  We are not talking about giving up the creature comforts that Americans are used to, although we may have to rethink the way some things are done.  The bottom line is that there are many benefits to renewable, and the biggest of them may be that it hits you directly in the pocketbook–favorably.  What should you do now?  Go over to this American Wind Energy Association webpage where you can send a message to Congress telling them to renew the renewable PTC.

Afterthoughts

I’m a huge proponent of electrifying the fleet.  Wind power, along with other sources of renewable energy generation, can take us a step in the right direction.  There are two pressing things to think about (and discuss in another post):

1. What if you never again had to pay for fuel for your automobile? (I know it’s crazy, but we’ll talk about it)

2. The grid as it is may not be ready for all of the power we can send to it. (A big issue that we all need to help change)