Wind power, old and new

In this striking juxtaposition of wind power icons, old meets new.

Here's the caption from the photo, which is featured at the Boston Globe's photo feature, "Sailing around the world."

A figure from Antony Gormley's "Another Place" welcomes one of the Tall Ships to Merseyside as it sails past the Burbo Bank windfarm on the approach to the Port of Liverpool on July 18, 2008, Liverpool, England. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Apartment building wind turbines to provide half of light in common areas

This story from NYTimes tells of a Bronx apartment building that will use 10 one-kilowatt wind turbines on its roof to allay power for lighting in common areas like the lobby, hallway, elevator, etc.

According to the article, "The turbines, which collectively cost $100,000, could halve the annual utility bill for the common spaces, to $9,000 from $18,000."

That's a noble idea, but the arrangement of the turbines leaves something to be desired. They are all pointing in the same direction. If the wind is not blowing in that direction, their utility is reduced.

Anyone considering adding this kind of wind-powered feature to their business or residence should consider an omnidirectional turbine.

Pfister Energy offers one.

So does Helix Wind.

Omnidirectional turbines turn no matter which direction the wind is coming from, and they require less breeze than giant propeller based versions.

Additionally, wildlife typically recognize omnidirectional turbines as solid objects, and they're less likely to get tangled up in them.

America - the world's wind leader

Great news! The United States is now the leading producer of power from wind.

According to this article on Cleantechnica, America has surpassed Germany in this regard. The U.S. now produces enough wind power to offset the burning of 91 million barrels of oil a year.

U.S. wind power produces more than 21,000 megawatts annually, or enough to power about 5.5 million households.

Read more good news on wind power from the American Wind Energy Association.

"Whoo-hoo for wind," you say, "But how can I get in on the game?"

Well, you don't have to own acres of prairie to harness the wind, as this video shows.