Wind
Modern wind projects first began appearing In the 1980's. This was initially largely a California phenomenon. During the late 1990's, while we were supporting the early EnergyWorks projects, we prepared some proposals in support of the wind projects they eventually built in Costa Rica. We also provided some equipment specification and procurement support for the projects. EnergyWorks successfully completed those initial projects and has gone on to build a
business line in wind.
Wind was the fastest growing electric generating technology in the US in 2007-2008. Recent forecasts continue to be impressive. The
Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) predicts that in 2013, five years from now, global wind generating capacity will stand at 332 GW, up from 120 GW at the end of 2008. During 2013, 56.3 GW of wind generating capacity will be added, more than double the annual market in 2008. The year-on-year growth rates during this period will average 22%, which is modest compared to an average increase of 28% over the last ten years. The GWEC report and graphs, tables, and maps are available below:
Download the report
Graphs, table and maps:
Here are some AWEA reports.and a 2009 outlook. The U.S. wind energy industry continued new installations at a breakneck pace in the third quarter of 2008, putting over 1,300 megawatts (MW) of new wind capacity in place. That brings the total installed capacity to 21,017 MW in 35 states. Over 8,000 MW more are under construction for completion this year or early next year. Over 7,500 MW is likely to be installed in 2008. Shattering all its previous records, the U.S. wind energy industry installed 5,249 MW in 2007, expanding the nation’s total wind power generating capacity by 45% in a single calendar year and injecting an investment of over $9 billion into the economy. The American Wind Energy Association, (AWEA ) estimates that American wind farms will generate an estimated 49 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of wind energy in 2008, just over 1.5% of U.S. electricity supply, powering the equivalent of over 5.7 million homes. AWEA's annual rating report is available here. This report has useful data about US power producers and equipment manufacturers offering their product in the US>
In 2008, Texas consolidated its lead in terms of installed wind power capacity. At the end of the third quarter of 2008, the states with the most cumulative wind power capacity installed are: Texas, with 6,297 MW; California, with 2,493 MW; Iowa, with 1,394 MW; Minnesota, with 1,377 MW; and Washington with 1,367 MW. Since the beginning of the year, at least 17 domestic wind turbine and wind turbine component manufacturing facilities have been opened or expanded and another 19 announced.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s 20% Wind Energy by 2030 Technical Report finds that wind power could supply 20 percent of America’s electricity by 2030 without unusual market intervention.DOE 2008 Wind Technologies report.
Manufacturers
There has been a considerable amount of consolidation in the industry to date. Gamesa purchased Made in 2002, GE purchased Enron Wind Corporation in 2002 and Vestas and NEC Micon merged in 2003. In 2005, Bonus was acquired by Siemens. The purchase of REPower by Suzlon has just been completed this year.
Vestas in number one in a number of markets. GE is the third largest of the world's leading wind turbine manufacturers, leading in turbine sales in the US and Canada. GE has over 8,400 installations worldwide comprising more than 11,300 MW of capacity, knowledge and expertise that spans two or more decades. FPL is the leader in operating capacity.
Ottertail Power offers a guide to small wind producers that is interesting.
Merrill Lynch published a review of wind energy prospects in 2007 based on 2006 data. Click here to obtain a copy.