In support of the President’s all-of-the above energy
strategy,
Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz today announced the
release of
Enabling Wind Power Nationwide, a report
showing how the U.S. can unlock the vast potential for wind
energy deployment in all 50 states.
The report’s findings were announced during the opening session at WINDPOWER 2015 in Orlando. It highlights the potential for wind power development in regions with limited wind power capacity.
These new regions represent an additional 700,000 square miles—or about one-fifth of the U.S. —bringing the total area of technical wind potential to 1.8 million square miles.
Technological advancements, such as higher wind turbine towers of 110 and 140 meters and larger rotors — currently under development by the Energy Department and its private sector partners—can more efficiently grasp the stronger and more consistent wind resources usually found at greater heights above ground level, compared with the average 80 meter wind turbine towers installed in 39 states today.
"Wind generation has more than tripled in the United States in just six years, exceeding 4.5 percent of total generation, and we are focused on expanding its clean power potential to every state in the country," said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. "By producing the next generation of larger and more efficient wind turbines, we can create thousands of new jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as we fully unlock wind power as a critical national resource."
These advancements in wind energy systems will generate more electricity per dollar and further drive down the cost of wind energy, Moniz said. The Energy Department supports research and development that has already helped the wind industry install nearly 66 GW of wind power capacity—enough to power more than 17 million homes—and has helped decrease the cost of wind energy by more than 90 percent. Continuing this technology development is essential to escalating this clean energy source to every state across the nation, Moniz said.
To read the report, click here
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