You don't need a weatherman Drayton Valley Western Review

26.04.10

 Since time immemorial we have been harnessing the power of the wind. On a personal level, it's been supportive at our back, and uncomfortably always in our face. It has helped us to navigate the oceans, seas, rivers and lakes. And where would the great literary hero Don Quixote be without tilting at windmills? On a practical level, windmills have helped with the production of food and securing underground sources of water. But it has been only relatively recently that wind turbines have become a dominant player in the renewable energy market for electricity production.

Wind-generated electricity has been found to be very cost-competitive with traditional electricity generating sources. According to Alberta Energy, there are over 500 MW of wind turbines connected to the grid. This is about four per cent of installed capacity – enough to power more than 500,000 homes. And that's no hot air. Currently Alberta is one of the leading provinces in the development of wind power.

Turbines are especially useful if they are used together with solar panels. On those overcast and windy days (usually in the colder months, but in this part of Alberta – anytime really) when your solar panel isn't working much, a wind turbine will prove to be very handy.

Source:

renewable energy windmills - News

Here comes the sun / Hill Air Force Base activates 1400 solar panels StandardNet - Jun 26, 2009 Here comes the sun / Hill Air Force Base activates 1400 solar panelsStandardNetHill supports 750000 kilowatt-hours of Blue Sky renewable energy each month. Over a year's time, Hill's renewable energy purchase will avoid 9000 tons of and more »

State energy projects get funding recharge Minneapolis Star Tribune - Jun 26, 2009 State energy projects get funding rechargeMinneapolis Star TribuneAnother $2 million will become "emerging energy" grants that will go to new or expanding businesses specializing in renewable energy. and more »

Calm days, clouds could stymie solar, wind future Reuters - Jun 25, 2009 Calm days, clouds could stymie solar, wind futureReuters"We should undoubtedly increase research and investment in alternative and renewable energy resources such as wind and solar but equally we need to be clear and more »

ENERGY: Searchlight residents grill Duke Energy representatives ... Las Vegas Review Journal - Jun 26, 2009 ENERGY: Searchlight residents grill Duke Energy representatives Las Vegas Review - Journal"I'm very supportive of renewable energy. My kids would kill me if I wasn't," he said before the meeting. "But I don't know the specifics of this, and more »

Leases awarded for windmills studies off NJ, Del. Philadelphia Inquirer - Jun 23, 2009 New York TimesLeases awarded for windmills studies off NJ, Del.Philadelphia Inquirer"We are entering a new day for energy production in the United States , a time of clean energy from renewable domestic sources on our Outer Continental Winds of change blowing offshoreOffshore Wind: The Best Energy Investment America Could Make?all 146 news articles »