Wind is Alive and Well, and Growing

Jim Gagnepain · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Fort Collins, CO

Endless Energy is an interesting site. I read this article there that renewables can theoretically meet and exceed the energy needs of the entire world.
http://www.endlessenergy.com/windenergy.shtml

Obviously this is an oversimplification based on the economics and the fact that energy storage is required.

The article starts out with facts about the economic competetiveness of wind power:

"Since 1980, the cost of power from wind farms has dropped from 38 cents to 4 to 7 cents per kWh, and it continues to decline. The cost of wind energy is now on a par with the cost of coal and gas, and it is cheaper than nuclear. "

In the US alone, wind can theoretically meet all of our needs. Solar has even more long-term potential:
Referencing wind alone, "A DOE study put the recoverable portion at about 120 quads-about 20% more than the total US energy consumption."

Granted that both wind and solar are intermittent power sources. We have to get more creative with our technology. The most promising storage technology is water storage and pumping (uphill). This turns wind energy into an "on-demand" energy. I understand that the storage adds to the economic costs of these power sources. But we have to do it. I see a day when Electric Utilities are managing their "Potential Energy" stores, as opposed to fossil fuel and uranium inventories.