Study supports U.S. wind expansion.

AuthorBlock, Ben
PositionEYE ON EARTH

Wind energy can supply 20 percent of U.S. electricity needs by 2030 at a "modest" cost difference, according to a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) report released in May. The analysis predicts that the wind scenario would cost about 2 percent more than sticking with the current energy Mix, yet 500,000 new jobs would be created.

To reach the goal by 2030, department said wind energy installation would need said wind energy installation would need to triple from the current rate of 5.2 gigawatts (GW) added in 2007 to more than 16 GW per year by 2018, with that pace continuing through 2030.

The total wind energy growth, 290 GW, would nearly eliminate the projected increase in greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. power plants between now and 2030. It would also avoid the consumption of 4 trillion gallons of water for electricity generation.

A large-scale expansion of the U.S. electrical transmission grid would be required to access the best wind resources and relieve grid congestion. Power companies would also have to add gas turbine generators to provide back-up electricity when the wind isn't blowing, said Thomas Key, and Electric Power Research Institute analyst.

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One of the most consistent criticisms of wind is that, due to its...

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