Some wind energy news from back in March and April

Sorry I missed these at the time.

At the end of April, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), issued its analysis of the U.S. electricity transmission, generation and distribution systems. ASCE found that current investment plans through 2020 of $566 billion, falls short by $107 billionof what is actually needed. "Without new investments in our electricity infrastructure, service interruptions and capacity bottlenecks will become more frequent and unpredictable, imposing direct costs to businesses and households." Read the report here: Failure to Act: The Economic Impact of Current Investment Trends in Energy Infrastructure.

Report: EU needs $137B worth of upgrades to integrate renewables
The EU will need to invest $137 billion in transmission upgrades to integrate renewable-energy production in national grids, according to a report from the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity. More than 30,000 miles of extra-high-voltage power lines are needed across the region to achieve the goal of a pan-European grid capable of accommodating renewable-energy sources, ENTSO-E said. The proposed upgrades translates to $2 to $2.50 more per megawatt-hour, or "less than 1% of the total end-users' electricity bill," said Jean Verseille, chairman of ENTSO-E's system development committee. United Press International (3/5)


Report: Renewables outpaced fossil fuels in Obama's first 3 years
Federal data show that the expansion of renewable energy during the first three years of the Obama administration outpaced the expansion of fossil fuels and nuclear energy, writes Kenneth Bossong, executive director of the nonprofit SUN DAY Campaign. Renewable-energy output rose by 27.12% between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2011, while natural gas and crude oil production increased by just 13.66% and 14.27%, respectively. Wind power alone grew by 113.92% during the same period, Bossong adds. Renewable Energy World (4/2)

A Bloomberg article in March listed the largest wind turbine manufacturers in the world:

• Vestas (VWS) Wind Systems A/S remained the world’s largest wind turbine maker last year, Navigant Consulting Inc. (NCI)’s BTM Consult unit said in an annual study that lowered its forecast for the market through 2016.
• Vestas (VWS) retained its top spot with 12.9 percent of the market in 2011, topping Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co. with a 9.4 percent share. General Electric Co. (GE) was third with 8.8 percent, Gamesa Corp. Tecnologica SA was next at 8.2 percent and Enercon GmbH fifth at 7.9 percent, Ringkoebing, Denmark-based BTM said today in an e-mailed statement.
• Wind installations reached a record 41.7 gigawatts last year. While BTM said the market will continue to grow, it reduced its cumulative forecast for the five years through 2016 by 14 percent to almost 270,000 megawatts, citing the European credit crisis as denting confidence in the industry. 

Innovative wind turbine under construction at Cleveland ballpark
Workers are installing an innovative wind turbine at the Cleveland Indians' Progressive Field. The turbine is the newest version of a "wind amplification turbine system" developed by Majid Rashidi of Cleveland State University. Contractors expect to complete the installation in time for the Indians' first home game of the upcoming season. The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (3/14)

The February 2012 edition of the maritime industry magazine, Marine Log, featured a review of offshore wind energy developments. There are 100 gigawatts of offshore wind projects currently under construction, including the largest wind turbines yet designed, of over seven megawatts generating capacity. There is also a half-page article on tidal energy projects.

Wind power investments in North America may top $145B by 2017
Investment in land-based and offshore wind farms in North America from 2011 through 2017 will reach more than $145 billion, according to a report from Pike Research. Wind power installations in North America could reach 125 gigawatts by 2017, with land-based projects accounting for about 97% of the total, the group said. "The United States produces enough electricity from wind energy to power 10 million homes -- but there is still plenty of room to grow," said analyst Dexter Gauntlett. Power Engineering (3/5)