40,000 Wind turbines+

40,000 Wind turbines be nice, need more a good start however.

From Pike Research:

According to a recent report from Pike Research, the North American market for wind turbines will continue to grow through 2015, driven by new generation additions, as well as replacements of smaller, older turbines with larger, more efficient turbines.

Pike Research's study, "Wind Energy Outlook for North America," analyzes the opportunities and challenges facing wind power in North America in the current economic and political climate.

Key players in the wind energy business are profiled. The report includes quantitative analysis for market sizing, segmentation, market share analysis of turbine vendors, and growth forecasts for the U.S. and Canada through 2015.

The cleantech market intelligence firm forecasts that the turbine market will resume its growth in 2011, following three years of stagnation. According to the report, cumulative wind turbine deployments will exceed 40,000 units during the period from 2010 to 2015.

In addition, Pike Research forecasts that 45% of all turbine installations in North America will be replacements

"The global economic crisis that began in late 2008 has thrown the industry into confusion, along with most global industries," says Clint Wheelock, managing director of Pike Research. "Still, we see cause for optimism in the longer term as capital markets recover and the regulatory environment improves for wind energy."

The report also examines how many turbines will be required to meet wind generation capacity goals, key industry growth drivers, challenges inhibiting the growth of wind power, and the economics of turbine manufacturing, installation, operations and maintenance.

Oil Companies get it

Independence, Kan.-based Allenergy Inc., an oil and natural gas development and production company, is expanding its business to include wind power.

Because of revenue and federal tax breaks, many landowners in the region are seeking to use their land for wind power generation, according to the company. Allenergy is taking the necessary steps to sell, service and install wind power generation. It can also benefit from wind power revenues on its current leases and on additional land leases.

"Though our core focus remains oil and natural gas production and well services, it has been a part of our long-term strategic plan to diversify," says CEO Larry Sanford. "With the incredible rise and fall of oil prices recently, it seems even more prudent to open up additional revenue streams."

Rex Horning, Allenergy's vice president of operations, has been leading the strategic planning for the company's diversification.

SOURCE: Allenergy Inc.

Michels at 50 years!

Brownsville, Wis.-based Michels, a balance-of-plant construction firm, is celebrating its 50-year anniversary.

"When all this began, it was mainly a pipeline company, and now we are proficient in so many different areas, including wind energy, directional drilling and power," says Pat Michels, president of Michels.

According to Michels, the company ranks 64th among the top 400 contractors. Michels plans to begin its anniversary celebrations in January at the Michels' annual leadership conference in Madison, Wis.

Wind Power as econmoic tool

Check this out, if you want to see what a HUGE impact Wind Power can have for an area.
Much more then a renewable energy source.

http://www.nrel.gov/analysis/jedi/

Wind powered City

ROCK PORT - It wasn't a ribbon cutting ceremony, it wasn't a ground breaking-- it was all about throwing a switch.

Welcome to Rock Port on Thursday, where the temperature was 44 degrees and the wind was blowing like crazy.

"What's interesting is my husband is in the oil business but that's alright, we're thrilled to have wind energy here. As Americans we need to get more independent," Rock Port resident Kim Bunton said.

"It's a big deal," Project Director Eric Chamberlain said. "It's a big deal for renewable energy and it's a big deal to be energy independent."

Chamberlain was born and raised in Rock Port.

"What we're celebrating is that the wind farm in Rock Port can produce more energy each year than what this community uses, and that has never been done before," Chamberlain said.

And that's why everyone showed up. From the celebration and speeches downtown to the city's power plant, the guy who made it all happen explained what it is all about.

"What we're showing here is the city is producing 2 megawatts more than they need, so in essence, this meter is running backwards," Chamberlain said.

That doesn't mean free electricity.

"I assume it will be lower because we're going to eliminate the transmission charges incurred," Rock Port Mayor Jo Stevens said.

So by putting these 250-foot tall turbines up on the hilltops...

"We live on a dead-end road and we've had more traffic the past year," wind farm landowner Mick Lewis said.

Lewis owns the property here, and he knows other Missouri farmers are watching.

"What's my message? Check out the people you're working with and do your research," Lewis said. "What I felt comfortable with was John Deere; I'll call it the big gun behind this."

Lewis said he also felt comfortable with Tom Carnahan, president of the Wind Capital Group.

"We have a nice windy day. I drove around, all the turbines were spinning and it just feels good," Carnahan said.

Coming from a political family, Carnahan can talk from a soap-box.

"The No. 1 thing we need to have is a national policy that says we encourage renewable energy," Carnahan said. "Right now we have a hodge podge policy. What we do consistently is help the oil and coal companies."

So who would have thought!

"Thanks for coming all the way from Columbia," Stevens said.

Rock Port only has a population of 1,316 but last week they threw the switch as America's first ever community completely powered by the wind.

"With wind you need a windy area. Fortunately for northwest Missouri, the bulk of it is here, but there are other places where this can be done, " Carnahan said.

Yes, northwest Missouri is windier than central Missouri. It takes winds of up to 9-miles per hour to get those blades spinning. Rock Port is now powered by four wind turbines. In all, 79 turbines are operational in northwest Missouri.

An Idea for Racine?

Why not Wisconsin?

From an article by in the Green Bay Press-Gazette:

Wisconsin Public Service Corp. plans to build a wind farm in Minnesota that could help it achieve its renewable energy requirements. WPS said Friday it signed a letter of intent with High Country Energy LLC to acquire a portion of a wind project in Dodge and Olmsted counties, just west of Rochester, Minn.

Wisconsin utilities are required by state law to increase their renewable energy portfolio 2 percentage points by 2010 and to have 10 percent of their electricity supplied from renewable sources by 2015.

The agreement Friday could provide WPS with up to 150 megawatts of wind-generated electricity, about half of the planned park’s capacity.

The Green Bay-based utility is also in negotiations for 99 megawatts of electricity from an Iowa wind farm.

“Assuming Iowa comes to fruition, this would enable us to be nicely prepared for the next step-up in 2015,” said Charles Severance, WPS general manager for renewable resources.