Wind Power Role As An Alternative To Fossil Fuel

Albeit from a small base, wind power continues to grow at a steady pace, doubling in production from 2006 to 2008. Wind farms in the U. S. generated a total of 52 billion kilowatt hours in 2008, making up approximately 1.3% of the total of electricity generated in the country. Despite its small representation in the total of electrical production, wind-generated power provided enough electricity to serve 4.6 million households. The production number is also the equivalent of the total of electrical usage for the state of Colorado.

Wind power’s production growth is being fueled by advances in technology which continue to cut the cost of production. Additional factors include tax breaks, pricing options which allow consumers to elect for premium pricing for energy provided from green sources, and other incentives.

The location of wind farms around the United States is largely controlled by three factors:

1) Geography – Areas with temperature differences in relatively close proximity, moderate altitudes, the lack of natural wind breaks, and areas where wind can be funneled are desirable locations for wind farms. Tehachapi, California is an example of a wind farm located between two areas of disparate temperatures. The intense heat of the Mojave Desert in the east forces air to rise which is replaced by cooler air from the coast, located to the west of the wind farm. The area’s rounded hills do not act as wind breaks but do provide funneling action in certain parts of the wind farm.

2) Wind seasonality, consistency, and speed – The Tehachapi wind farm experiences its highest and most consistent winds from April to October which coincides with the area’s highest demand for electricity. In this situation the demand is spurred by air conditioning needs. Montana, on the other hand, experiences its highest winds in winter when demand is driven by heating requirements.

3) Local politics – Despite its status as a clean energy alternative, wind farms have a relatively large foot print and are highly visible, which can bring resistance by locals. Recent examples of local opposition to wind farms has been seen in Louisiana and Oregon, where similar concerns included wind farms’ effects on tourism as well as scenic, aesthetic, and property values.

Wind farms are now considered to be the most cost effective alternative to fossil fuel for power generation but the limitations described above indicate that wind power will have to be supplemented by other clean options such as solar and alternative fuels. Still, should energy costs rise dramatically, the cost-effectiveness of this alternative could spur its growth further, even in areas where local opposition is currently strong.