http://energy.gov/eere/articles/energy-department-releases-report-evaluates-potential-wind-power-all-50-states
In support of the President’s all-of-the above energy strategy, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz today announced the release of Enabling Wind Power Nationwide,
a report showing how the United States can unlock the vast potential
for wind energy deployment in all 50 states—made possible through the
next-generation of larger wind turbines. Announced today at the American
Wind Energy Association’s WINDPOWER Conference in Orlando, Enabling Wind Power Nationwide builds upon the recently released Wind Vision report, which quantifies the economic, social, and environmental benefits of a robust wind energy future.
The new report highlights the potential for technical advancements to unlock wind resources in regions with limited wind deployment today,
such as the Southeast. These new regions represent an additional
700,000 square miles—or about one-fifth of the United States—bringing
the total area of technical wind potential to 1.8 million square miles.
Technological advancements, such as taller wind turbine towers of 110 and 140 meters and larger rotors—currently under development
by the Energy Department and its private sector partners—can more
efficiently capture the stronger and more consistent wind resources
typically found at greater heights above ground level, compared with the
average 80 meter wind turbine towers installed in 39 states today.
"Wind generation has more than tripled in the United States in just
six years, exceeding 4.5 percent of total generation, and we are focused
on expanding its clean power potential to every state in the country,"
said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. "By producing the next generation of
larger and more efficient wind turbines, we can create thousands of new
jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as we fully unlock wind power
as a critical national resource."
These advanced wind energy systems will generate more electricity per
dollar invested and further drive down the cost of wind energy. The
Energy Department supports research and development
that has already helped the wind industry install nearly 66 gigawatts
of wind power capacity—enough to power more than 17 million homes—and
has helped decrease the cost of wind energy by more than 90 percent.
Continuing this technology development is essential to expanding this
clean energy source to every state across the nation. Increasing the
amount of land suited to commercial wind development, wind power can
also provide local economic development opportunities, including jobs
for installers, engineers and other support personnel, in new
communities and whole regions with currently untapped resources.
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The Wind Vision report, available for download at www.energy.gov/windvision calculated the economic and societal value for future wind scenarios, and included economic calculations as well as quantification of societal impacts, such as greenhouse gases (GHGs), pollutants and water use. The report found that wind delivered a wide range of societal benefits, such as reductions in GHG emissions and water consumption. Central estimates for the value of GHG benefits in the Wind Vision Study Scenario analysis were $125 billion through 2030, air pollutant reductions were $42 billion through 2030, and water consumption reductions were 173 billion gallons per year in 2030. In addition, wind is estimated to support 375,000 jobs in 2030 and $1.8 billion in local tax and lease revenues in 2030....
The Wind Vision report, available for download at www.energy.gov/windvision calculated the economic and societal value for future wind scenarios, and included economic calculations as well as quantification of societal impacts, such as greenhouse gases (GHGs), pollutants and water use. The report found that wind delivered a wide range of societal benefits, such as reductions in GHG emissions and water consumption. Central estimates for the value of GHG benefits in the Wind Vision Study Scenario analysis were $125 billion through 2030, air pollutant reductions were $42 billion through 2030, and water consumption reductions were 173 billion gallons per year in 2030. In addition, wind is estimated to support 375,000 jobs in 2030 and $1.8 billion in local tax and lease revenues in 2030....
