Wind Energy Research
Wind energy is a clean, domestically produced renewable energy resource that contributes to our nation's security, improves its environmental quality, and stimulates rural economic development. By the end of 2008, the U.S. wind industry had become one of the fastest growing utility-scale energy resources in the nation. With a current annual growth rate of 30% to 40%, the nation's wind energy capacity increased from 2,500 MW in 1996 to more than 21,000 MW at the end of 2008.
Although 21,000 MW is enough capacity to power about 5 million average homes, it still comprises less than 2% of our nation's generation portfolio. In 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy published a report that examines the feasibility increasing our nation's wind capacity to more than 300,000 MW to produce 20% of our electricity demand by 2030. The report concludes that although 20% wind energy by 2030 is technically achievable, it will require research and development efforts to help increase wind energy system reliability and operability, improve manufacturing processes, address transmission and grid integration issues, mitigate siting and environmental issues, and expand the wind energy market.
To expand wind energy's contribution to the nation, the Wind Energy Program focuses its research in two primary areas:
- Increasing the technical viability of wind systems, and
- Increasing technology application or the use of wind power in the marketplace.
In the area of technology viability, the program is pursuing the following:
In the area of technology application, the program sponsors the following research: