Wind: Sustainability & Issues
Renewable Energy

Wind Tax Incentives

The Wall Street Journal discussed the issue of wind energy. While the companies who build wind farms need the tax incentives to be renewed, there is a much bigger problem. The problem is not limited to wind. Solar has a similar problem.

How do we transfer the energy harnessed into houses?

The answer is to build additional infrastructure. As discussed in the article, it is very expensive. The short term costs for installation could be a hurdle to any long term planning.

Wind Energy Issues

There are some legitimate disadvantages to wind power energy. Wind is sustainable only in areas with a high wind velocity. There are many maps of high wind areas within the United States. The cost of wind power has decreased dramatically in the past 10 years, but there are higher initial investments than fossil-fueled generators.

The major challenge in using wind as a source of power is that it is intermittent and does not always blow when electricity is needed. Wind energy cannot be stored unless batteries are used. Good wind sites are often located in remote locations, far from cities where the electricity is needed.

Wind Resources
• The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy: Achieving Energy Independence through Solar, Wind, Biomass and Hydropower (Mother Earth News Wiser Living)
• Wind Energy Basics: A Guide to Small and Micro Wind Systems
• Homebrew Wind Power
• Windpower Workshop: Building Your Own Wind Turbine