Windpower`s future grows brighter

Journal Article · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Strategic Planning for Energy and the Environment

OSTI ID:94305

Flavin, C ^[1]

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1. Worldwatch Inst., Washington, DC (United States)

Modern technologies to generate electricity from windpower were introduced only 15 years ago. Today, equipment and control improvements have moved this benign process into a strong competitive position, both nationally and internationally. Altogether, the world had roughly 20,000 wind turbines in operation by the end of 1993, producing 3,000 megawatts of electricity. More than a dozen American and European companies, many with government assistance, are pursuing advanced wind technologies that are believed capable of closing the remaining cost gap with fossil fuel plants. According to one study, the average capacity factor of Californian wind turbines -- the percentage of their annual power potential generated -- rose from 13 in 1987 to 24 in 1990. These machines are now estimated to be ``available`` to operate 95 percent of the time, which is better than most fossil fuel plants. The machines now entering the market generate 300--750 kilowatts per turbine rather than the 100-kilowatt average of the late eighties` models. They have lighter and more aerodynamic blades made of synthetic materials, improved rotor-hub connections and drive trains, new blade controls, and more advanced power electronics, including some that operate at variable speeds, which allows the turbines to run more efficiently in a range of winds. The new designs are less expensive and can be deployed in more moderate wind regimes. In 1994, wind developers using the new technology signed contracts to sell wind-generated electricity for as low as 4--5{cents} per kilowatt-hour.

• OSTI ID: 94305
• Journal Information: Strategic Planning for Energy and the Environment, Journal Name: Strategic Planning for Energy and the Environment Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 15; ISSN 1048-5236; ISSN SEENEJ
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

17 WIND ENERGY
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
COMPETITION
ECONOMICS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
MARKET
WIND POWER