Windustry's® mission is to promote sustainable energy solutions and empower communities to develop and own clean energy assets. As an independent voice acting in support of communities, we work, through education, outreach and advocacy, to advance broad community ownership of renewable energy. Windustry is an Equal Opportunity Provider.
Latest News from Windustry
U.S. Wind Industry Can Create Tens of Thousands of Jobs
According to a report released by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), BlueGreen Alliance, and the United Steelworkers, the U.S. wind industry can create tens of thousands of additional jobs manufacturing wind turbines and components if the U.S. passes long-term policies that create a stable market for the domestic wind energy supply chain.
Cascade, Wisconsin Wastewater Plant Powered by Wind Energy
With the start-up of two 100-kilowatt (kW) wind turbines, the Village of Cascade became the first Wisconsin community to power its municipal wastewater treatment plant with 100 percent locally produced wind energy.
Windustry Newsletter - May 2010
Featured in this issue:
- USDA REAP Funding for Renewable Energy
- County Wind Ordinance Survey
- Environmental Assessments in the Great Lakes Region
- Small Wind Conference
- Windspiration
- On the Windustry Trail
DOE Announces Funding Opportunity for Enhancing Short-Term Wind Forecasting
June, 2010 - Washington DC — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced funding for up to $6 million over two years to improve short-term wind energy forecasting. The funding will support projects that enhance the ability of utilities and electricity grid operators to forecast when and where generation from wind power will take place, allowing for improved utility operations. Electricity grid operators depend on accurate wind forecasts to predict and plan for the energy output of wind power plants in their system. By more accurately forecasting wind conditions up to six hours ahead, utilities operators can better predict the power generation of their wind plants, which reduces the cost and increases the reliability of integrating wind energy into the electricity grid. Improved wind forecasting has the potential to achieve substantial savings in annual grid production costs, and these benefits are expected to increase significantly as national wind deployment accelerates. Innovation in this area will help wind and other renewable energy sources meet more and more of the nation's energy demand.DOE to Invest $6 Million in Midsize Wind Turbine Technology Development
Washington DC — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the availability of up to $6 million to advance midsize wind turbine technology in order to boost the speed and scale of midsize turbine deployment. DOE will provide the funding over two years to accelerate the development, testing, and commercialization of domestically manufactured, midsize wind turbines with rated generating capacities between 100 kilowatts and 1 megawatt. Through this funding opportunity, DOE will leverage private-sector technology investment by providing cost-shared partnerships to qualified projects in support of the Administration's drive to create clean-energy jobs, and promote economic development and energy independence. DOE anticipates making up to four initial grants under this competitive solicitation.
Windustry at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair
Thanks to our partners and volunteers for making the Wind Energy Center a great success as part of The Eco Experience at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair. Over 350,000 visitors were able to:
Rural Summit on Capitol Hill Seeks Sustainable Solutions
“Local ownership through Community Wind development not only provides initial construction jobs, but more importantly it provides long-term economic activity.”—Dan Juhl, Chairman and CEO, Juhl Wind, Inc.Washington, D.C., April 28, 2010 - U.S. Senators Harry Reid, Blanche Lincoln, and Debbie Stabenow were joined by former president Bill Clinton and wind energy developer Dan Juhl as they hosted a Rural Summit at the capitol. The event brought together stakeholders from communities around the country to focus on revitalizing rural America through economic development and job creation, and preserving the rural way of life for future generations.
Vast Majority of Americans Want More Wind Power
“An overwhelming majority of American voters, on a bipartisan basis, want more wind power.”
—Bennett, Petts & Normington"Increasing the amount of energy America gets from wind is a good idea," agree 89% of American voters, according to a new poll released by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). The poll shows that only clean energy sources incuding wind, solar, and natural gas receive a favorable opinion, while coal and oil are given unfavorable ratings, and nuclear energy has split ratings with no majority opinion.
Unprecedented Growth of U.S. and Global Wind Energy
But Will the Growth Continue?
United States wind power capacity increased by over 10 gigawatts (GW) in 2009, 20% more than was added in 2008, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). That brings total U.S. capacity to over 35 GW, more than any other country on the planet, providing 1.8% of our national electric power. Similarly, the demand for small wind systems for residential and small business use (rated capacity of 100 kW or less) grew 15% in 2009, adding 20 MW of generating capacity to the nation.
Windustry Newsletter - March 2010
Featured in this issue:
- Wind Turbine Syndrome: Myths and Facts
- Celebrating Women's History Month!
- St. Olaf Wind Turbine Case Study
- Community Wind Energy Conferences Go Regional
- Windspiration
- On the Windustry Trail