Wind Power

The Limits of Wind Power

A new study by the Reason Foundation evaluates wind power and finds that wind power is limited in practice due to the increased need for power storage, the decrease in grid reliability, and the increased operating costs.

October 8, 2012 - Reason Foundation

Tax Credit Expiration Knocks Wind out of Industry's Sails

With a federal tax credit that has fueled the growth of wind energy over the last two decades set to expire at the end of the year, the wind power industry is facing layoffs and factory closings, writes Simone Sebastian.

July 12, 2012 - The Houston Chronicle

The Headwinds Hindering America’s Transition to Renewable Energy

Nations like Denmark are leading the world in producing renewable energy. But the transition to renewables doesn’t just amount to the number of solar panels or wind turbines that can be built, it takes a smart grid to maximize their potential.

June 21, 2012 - THE DIRT

Great Lakes Turbines Get Second Wind

Just months after a proposal to build the first wind farm to be located offshore on any of the Great Lakes was shelved, five neighboring states have struck a deal with the Obama administration to develop offshore wind farms more quickly.

April 4, 2012 - The Buffalo News

Wind Farm Proposal off New Jersey Shoreline Draws Controversy

An independent analysis insists that Fishermen's Energy's 30-megawatt wind farm project could cause a statewide economic disaster, writes Tom Johnson.

February 8, 2012 - Next American City

Too Much Renewable Energy in Denmark?

James Kanter reports on plans by Danish government to generate half the nation’s power from wind within eight years, and whether too much of a good thing, in this case, may lead to failure.

January 24, 2012 - The New York Times

Windfarm Concept Inspired by Schools of Fish

Current wind farm technology requires a lot of space between blades. A new report proposes that "counter-rotating vertical-axis wind turbines" would draw power more efficiently on less land.

August 15, 2011 - BBC News

Closing Coal Plants Difficult With Nation's Energy Needs

Across the heartland and the East Coast record heat waves have caused enormous electricity usage, but no blackouts have occurred. Yet there are concerns that EPA regulations that cause older coal plants to shut down could have dire consequences.

August 14, 2011 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

Power Struggle (Literally) in the Pacific Northwest

The Economist reports "a case of favoritism towards electricity generated by federal dams" in the Columbia River basin, a stretch of land that encompasses Oregon, Washington state, Idaho, and western Montana.

June 24, 2011 - The Economist

Transmission is Key for Wind Energy From the Sea

Building wind farms in the ocean is an ideal way to generate electricity, but it's not so easy to get that energy back to shore efficiently. This article looks as a transmission project that could address that issue.

May 5, 2011 - Popular Science

Google Invests in Wind Power

Internet search giant Google has announced plans for the long-term purchase of power produced by a 100 megawatt wind power plant being built in Oklahoma.

April 23, 2011 - Reuters

Wind Power An Added Perk of Bridge Design

A team of Italian architects have proposed a honeycomb-like design for a viaduct that would include built-in wind turbines.

February 6, 2011 - Popular Science

China Enters U.S. Wind Market, Drawing Criticism

Chinese wind-turbine manufacturers are making a push into the U.S. market. Some say the move will create green jobs and foster growth, while others worry it threatens America's still-developing industry.

December 16, 2010 - The New York Times

Wind Power at Sea

The competition is fierce and blustery in the business of off-shore wind energy generation, as companies vie to launch bigger and better wind turbines off the coast of the United Kingdom.

September 15, 2010 - Metropolis Magazine

Scotland to Build Floating Wind Farm Offshore

Officials in Scotland have announced plans to build a farm of floating wind turbines offshore.

August 18, 2010 - The Guardian

Small Wind Turbines Making Big Inroads

A new report from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) says that the number of small wind turbines in the U.S. has grown considerably over the last year, adding 20 megawatts of production.

May 26, 2010 - CNET

Controversial Offshore Wind Farm off Massachusetts Approved

U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar today approved the first offshore wind farm in the United States, a project that faced vocal opposition from local tribes and others.

April 28, 2010 - The Boston Globe

Wind Goes From Curse to Boon for Struggling Texas Town

Roscoe, Texas is a rural town that was declining by degrees for decades, with a fierce wind that made crops difficult. A local started a wind farm business and the town is turning around, turning its curse into a blessing.

April 7, 2010 - NEWS21

Urban Wind Power

A small manufacturer of wind turbines in Colorado Springs, Colorado is ramping up to become the city's first renewable-energy company, specializing in small wind systems for urban homes.

March 1, 2010 - The Gazette (Colorado Springs)

Wind Could Generate Lots of Power for East, Say Feds

With a substantial investment, it would be possible for the eastern half of the U.S.to get 30% of its electricity from wind power, according to a new report from the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

January 24, 2010 - Grist

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This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

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