Renewable energy, I believe we're in Kansas now

The wind-swept plains of Kansas are ideal for wind and solar energy production, and the state will now get a chance to play on a level field against other states that are adding incentives for renewable energy investments.

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius recently put her signature on the Kansas Economic Revitalization and Reinvestment Act, according to Kansascity.com.

"To recover from this economic recession, we must look to new industries and new opportunities. Renewable energy companies are a perfect fit for Kansas as we’re the third best state in the nation for wind energy and we have a trained and able workforce,” Sebelius was quoted at the Web site. “Kansas wind can provide the energy we need and create sustainable jobs right here at home.”

To receive funding under the plan, a project must:

• relate to the research, development, engineering or manufacturing of a business component or product for either the wind or solar energy industries.
• require at least a $30 million proposed investment in Kansas.
• within five years, employ a minimum of 200 full-time employees at an average salary of at least $32,500.

Those are pretty heady requirements for public aid, but it's good that Kansas is thinking big-picture.

Chinese take interest in wind turbines

Interesting video on Chinese interest in Canadian wind turbine technologies.

China is seeing the light, and it certainly has the manufacturing prowess to make wind turbines out the wazoo.

The United States should be taking the lead on exporting this kind of technology, yet where did this figure into the stimulus package?

Windmill 101

There are some good general insights about installing wind power at this site.

Renewable energy sources account for biggest chunk of new U.S. energy sources in 2007

Renewable energy sources are gaining enough traction to account for the biggest piece of the pie when it comes to gains in U.S. electrical output.

General electrical capacity increased by 2.3% in 2007, according to Electrical Power Annual 2007. Total 2007 electrical capacity was boosted to 4,157 million megawatt-hours, up from 4,065 MWh in 2006.

Net summer capacity increased by 8,673 MW, with wind power accounting for 5,186 MW.

Renewable energy remains but a drop in the bucket, however. Renewables generate 105 million MWh annually, just 2.5 % of total electrical capacity.

The Obama administration needs to put more money into this sector. Reducing energy costs - and doing it more cleanly - will be a bellweather issue this century. We need to get a head start on the world so we can export the technology.

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.