 Wind energy refers to the power that is extracted from the wind via wind turbines or windmills. As the technology in this field evolve, the cost of wind generated electric power continues to fall and the efficiency continue to increase. It has been estimated that the cost to produce energy from wind was nearly five greater in the late 1990s than in 2005. This is linked to more efficient wind turbines couples with larger multi-megawatt turbines that are becoming more mass produced.
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Increasingly we find ourselves beset by problems that seem beyond our control; global warming, GM Foods, animal testing, the spread of factory farming, the arms trade and human rights abuses, to list but a few. Shoppers are often left feeling helpless, the typical response being theres nothing I can do. |
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 The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has recently put a moratorium on all new solar power projects on Federal land, citing the need for further environmental impact studies. According to the NY Times, "The Bureau of Land Management says an extensive environmental study is needed to determine how large solar plants might affect millions of acres it oversees in six Western states — Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah."
This decision comes at a particularly tough time for the solar industry as public interest, and demand, for solar power are on the rise. Rather than encouraging the relatively nascent industry, this move may diminish some of the headway the industry has been making. According to one solar industry person, Lee Wallach of Solel “the problem is that this is a very young industry, and the majority of us that are involved are young, struggling, hungry companies. This is a setback.”
The freeze is set to last two years and will allow time for the government to evaluate the environmental damage that may occur from solar power plants, electrical transmission lines, the necessary water usage impact and so forth.
This decision leaves the environmental community in a unique position as it pits different factions against each other. Some conservation groups laud the move and welcome the studies as crucial to maintaining the habitat for many desert creatures while renewable energy interests are frustrated with the move to stall solar power.
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Using the Sun for Power - How It Works
By Richard Chapo
 Solar Panels Generating electricity from the sun is all about converting sunlight into power. Importantly, the process has nothing to do with converting the heat produced by sunlight into energy. This common misconception leads to a lot of confusion regarding solar systems.
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 GE has recently announced it has entered into a $27 million partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to design a next-generation offshore wind turbine. The power rating of the turbine will be optimized for minimal cost of energy but is expected to be between 5 and 7 Megawatts, making it one of the most powerful wind turbines in the world. The partnership will also help expand the nation’s wind energy potential. The research will be conducted at GE’s Global Research Center in Niskayuna, NY.
GE, like other leading energy companies, has pledged to ramp up development in the use of cleaner technologies. Over the next five years, they plan to spend between $700m to $1.5b.
“Wind is the fastest growing sector of the energy market, and GE has become one of the world’s leading wind turbine suppliers,” said Jim Lyons, Chief Engineer for Electrical Systems at GE’s Research Center and leader of Advanced Technology for GE’s Wind Energy Business. "Wind energy is a major component of our ecomagination initiative, and the design of a next generation offshore wind turbine represents our commitment to introduce new products that help our customers meet their environmental challenges."
See www.gepower.com for more information. |
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