Wind power in the U.S. is exploding, and we want to show you some of this country’s best resources. For this post we are going to take a snapshot of what’s happening in the state of Kansas (being that it is the state where I was born). First, take a look at these graphics showing the change in American wind production from ‘02 to ‘07.

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?

Economically, personal energy independence just makes sense.  Whether it be wind, solar, gasification, other renewable sources, or a mix of few of these, there are some serious adavantages.  And while it will be tough for an individual to become fully independent, our furture may count on getting as close to that mark as we can.

Let’s imagine that you didn’t have a monthly power bill, what would you do with the extra money?  As energy prices keep rising they steal more and more of our discretionary income, which is income that doesn’t see its way back into the market to help bolster the economy.  And what about the other energy cost we have…how free would you feel emotionally and econmically if you didn’t have to stop at a gas station for your everyday fuel needs?  Converting to a renewable home power system cuts out the middleman, and you produce the energy you need when you need it.  In addition, converting to an electric car lets you use that energy for all of your basic fuel needs.  Those changes make a big dent in the outflow of your hard earned money and give you more to spend on the other important and sometimes non-important expendatures.

Keeping more money in the checking account should get just about everyone excited, but there’s also another consideration: the energy crisis.  There are energy resources in this country that are getting old and need to be decommissioned.  These power plants are going to have to be replaced, and it gets hard to keep up with power requirements when U.S. power demand is growing, plants are closing, and our economy is dragging its feet.  Disastrous things happen when we start to have energy shortages.  We need leadership and personal initiative.  We could take responsibility in this crisis and calm the stress on the power infrastructure by making power locally in the home.  If we don’t look at this problem as it is and leave it to the same people that have been dealing with it for decades, we are in for a rough ride.

One of the great side effects of working toward personal energy independence is that we cut down on our use of carbon based fuels.  Athough the debate rages on about the environment, there is no doubt that fossil fuels will someday run out.  We need to prepare for that right now with renewables.  If indeed we are doing damage to our surroundings, then renewables offer a responsible way to power us into the future.

All of these great things and it seems like we’re crawling to implementation.  Unfortunately, many of the renewable technologies aren’t ready for primetime, and their infant state makes them expensive (we still think the econmics work in their favor).  On the bright side Americans have shown the will in past times to push through difficulties and do what is right for the good of the many.  Call us hopeful, but we believe it can be done.  It is just going to take an attitude that doens’t accept business as usual.  So, whether it’s wind, solar, or a hybrid, let’s do the hard stuff now so that we can survive the future.

Wind Power Growth

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)