In 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a report that examines the technical feasibility of using wind energy to generate 20% of the nation’s electricity demand by 2030. The report, “20% Wind Energy by 2030: Increasing Wind Energy’s Contribution to U.S. Electricity Supply,” includes contributions from DOE and its national laboratories, the wind industry, electric utilities, and other groups. The report examines the costs, major impacts, and challenges associated with producing 20% wind energy or 300 GW of wind generating capacity by 2030.

The report’s conclusions include:

Reaching 20% wind energy will require enhanced transmission infrastructure, streamlined siting and permitting regimes, improved reliability and operability of wind systems, and increased U.S. wind manufacturing capacity.
Achieving 20% wind energy will require the number of turbine installations to increase from approximately 2000 per year in 2006 to almost 7000 per year in 2017.
Integrating 20% wind energy into the grid can be done reliably for less than 0.5 cents per kWh.
Achieving 20 percent wind energy is not limited by the availability of raw materials.
Addressing transmission challenges such as siting and cost allocation of new transmission lines to access the Nation’s best wind resources will be required to achieve 20% wind energy.
Read the complete report, “20% Wind Energy by 2030, Increasing Wind Energy’s

Siemens Power Generation (PG) has received a major order from Britain for the erection of two offshore wind farms. Siemens is to supply 54 wind turbines with a combined maximum capacity of 180 megawatts (MW) for the Lynn and Inner Dowsing projects in Lincolnshire on the east coast of England. This will be the second time that the Siemens 3.6-MW wind turbines will be deployed offshore. Purchaser is British Gas’s parent company, Centrica. Siemens PG will also assume responsibility for operation and maintenance for an initial period of five years. The Siemens order is a major part of an overall investment of approximately EUR440 million.

APWR could be the next VESTAS of Wind Power down the road into 2010. Seven Wind Farms in China for 2000 MW while manufacturing the turbines with Furlandher onsite in China backed by China government could be a Wind Wind situation for 2010. Until 2010 and this credit crisis passes, any price is going to be felt and experienced by current investors.

In addition, in order to provide its customers with customized wind energy generation solutions, A-Power has reserved the right to development of 7 wind farms located in the premium wind belts in China with a total output capacity of over 2GW. Wherever possible, A-Power will be able to deliver to its customers both wind turbines and fully installed wind farms to, together with its customers, meet the ever increasing demand for alternative energy in the China market.

something to think about when investing/betting on China and Wind energy for 2020.

XJ Group is a well established manufacturer and supplier of products and services for the Chinese electric utility industry,” said Greg Yurek, founder and chief executive officer of AMSC. “XJ Group will be a strong partner to address the growing needs for high power, high efficiency wind turbines in China and around the world. We look forward to working with them to bring their first wind turbines to market.”

Recent reports have indicated that China may increase its wind power capacity from 6 gigawatts at the end of 2007 to 100 gigawatts by 2020. This type of expansion would require approximately 47,000 2 MW wind turbines over a 12-year timeframe.

Only months ago, the prospect of climate legislation passing in the next Congress and becoming law looked promising. Both presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain support mandatory emission cuts and a Democratic majority vowed to act on the problem early in the new year.

But the most popular remedy for slowing global warming, a mechanism known as cap-and-trade, could put further stress on a teetering economy by raising energy prices.

Democrats in both the House and Senate have unveiled draft climate bills. But their supporters acknowledge that the bills may have to be changed, given the economic situation. For example, a proposal to auction off emission permits — a source of money to help refocus the nation’s use of energy away from fossil fuels — may have to be abandoned with permits distributed for free.

But some Republicans argue the whole idea of a climate bill ought to be scrapped for the time being. Limits of carbon dioxide would increase energy costs and lead the country “off the economic cliff,” said Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas.