America Wind Energy Association Predicting “Wind Rush”

April 7th, 2015 by Joshua S Hill

The American Wind Energy Association has been doing its job well, of late, publicizing America’s leading position in the global wind energy industry, and a new press release published at the end of March announces a “wind rush” is currently “underway across much of America as new turbines access higher wind speeds, opening new areas for development.”

Specifically, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) points to a “wind rush” in areas such as the Great Lakes states and the Southeastern US, thanks to taller wind turbines being able to access steadier and faster wind speeds at higher altitudes, creating more economically viable sites.

“Wind turbine technology has advanced in just a few decades from the Model T era to more like that of a Tesla,” said AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan. “Taller towers, longer blades and improved electronics to operate and maintain the turbines are all part of this revolution.”

“Every year, our industry makes wind turbines that are better, smarter, safer and more powerful,” said Chris Brown, President of Vestas-American Wind Technology. “Those innovations are bringing down the levelized cost of wind energy for American consumers. But we’re not done yet. Our goal each day is to keep working to bring wind on par with other traditional energy technologies in the near term.”

Not only are turbines growing taller to reach higher altitude winds, but wind turbine blades are growing longer as well.

And according to the AWEA, the price of wind energy is dropping as a result of these innovations, with the levelized cost of wind energy dropping by 58% in just five years, according to the most recent study by Wall Street financial advisory firm Lazard.

More about America’s wind energy is expected to be focused on in the upcoming release of the AWEA US Wind Industry Annual Market Report, which will receive full coverage here on CleanTechnica.









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