| Is wind turbine electricity the future of renewable | | | | faster to implement wind generated electricity? |
| energy? Of course you have heard the buzz | | | | The government, despite what both presidential |
| about renewable energy resources. No matter | | | | candidates promised in the past elections, has not |
| where you stand on politics, left right or in the | | | | made this a major priority. |
| middle, the fact is we must move away from | | | | On a commercial basis it takes a large amount of |
| using fossil fuels to make our electricity. | | | | capital to set up wind farms. The banking crisis |
| Currently, according to the U.S. Department of | | | | has made borrowing money quite difficult as |
| Energy, 90 percent of 2008 energy production | | | | bankers just are not lending money at the rate |
| came from nonrenewable sources. Think about | | | | they once did. |
| that. Nonrenewable means it will run out at some | | | | Another factor is the "not in my neighborhood" |
| point in the future. As supply diminishes prices will | | | | syndrome. People complain about the high cost of |
| go up, perhaps way up. We must begin now to | | | | electricity, but when a solution is presented they |
| switch to renewable power sources. With all of | | | | often complain about the solution. Witness the |
| the talk surrounding wind energy you may | | | | fuss the Cape Wind project has created. This |
| wonder if it is a viable green energy solution or | | | | proposed wind farm, to be built in Nantucket |
| just hype. Lets take a look at 3 reasons why | | | | Sound, has met with vigorous opposition from the |
| wind turbine electricity is a major part of our | | | | New England area. An area that pays well above |
| energy future. | | | | the national average cost for their electricity. |
| 1. Wind turbine electricity can be utilized in most | | | | So what can you do? Take matters into your |
| areas of the country. Wind blows everywhere | | | | own hands and install your own wind generation |
| and every day. Most areas receive enough wind | | | | system. A commercially installed system capable |
| to economically generate electricity based on | | | | of replacing the electricity you now buy will run in |
| today's cost of production. | | | | the $8,000-15,000 price range. If that seems high, |
| 2. Cost control into the future. As we burn | | | | consider building your wind turbine, which is the |
| through our existing nonrenewable energy supplies | | | | most expensive part of a wind power system. |
| the cost of those supplies will rise. This will make | | | | Due to advances in design and technology you |
| wind energy an even greater bargain 20 to 30 | | | | can purchase the parts necessary for a few |
| years from now. An investment into wind turbine | | | | hundred dollars and just a few hours of |
| electricity today secures tomorrows energy | | | | construction time. Do it yourself wind turbine |
| independence. | | | | electricity is definitely a worthwhile investment. |
| 3. Wind turbine electricity is good for the | | | | If you go the route of building your own wind |
| environment and our health. Wind generated | | | | power system, you must make sure you have |
| electricity does not pollute the atmosphere like a | | | | clear, detailed plans. Be careful, much of what is |
| coal fired electric generating plant. Nor does it | | | | available online has been written by part time |
| have the risks, both operating and future storage | | | | hobbyists and they leave out many crucial details. |
| of waste materials, that nuclear power plants do. | | | | Search for plans written by folks that actually |
| So whats the rub? Why are we not moving | | | | work in the wind power industry. |