The Winds of Nicaragua

For some energy-starved countries, wind is becoming an increasingly important source of power.

Nicaragua adds wind power to energy mix

Adapting the Texas Energy Grid to Wind

Managing the power grids for variability in wind power generation continues to be an area of opportunity for the new energy economy. Texas is leading the way in adjusting to that variability because of its dominance in the industry. The article linked below discusses some of the things being done to handle the variability.

Texas Adjusts Its Grid for Wind

The Cost of Greening California

Someone else is finally seeing the big picture of renewables. California is "broke" already. Now, they will ask their taxpayers to make the "Green Moguls" wealthier.

California study shows high cost of renewable power

Highe Cost Infrastructure Impacts Wind Generation

As we gain new information with the passage of time, we often learn that our best laid plans are more costly than anticipated. Such seems to be the case in Texas according to a new study of the costs of building high-capacity wind generation infrastructure within the state.

Texas study cites high cost of harnessing wind

Wind Development Continues to Challenge Power Grid

As I traveled across Texas this week I was amazed at the dramatic increase in the number of wind generators. The stretch from north of Snyder, Texas, to Abilene, Texas, is becoming one continuous wind power generating field. The grid still is not able to fully utilize all of that power -- and there is more being built -- especially futher north into the Texas Panhandle and on up through the High Plains of Kansas and Nebraska. The article linked below discusses some of the grid issues.

Wind development seen biggest challenge for power grid

Offshore Texas Wind Power Delayed

Wind power development in the Gulf of Mexico is facing a different set of challenges than onshore developments in Texas. To its advantage, it would have much fewer miles for transmitting the power to population centers. On the downside, it is much more expensive to develop and infrastructure to transmit it is more expensive. There is also the threat of hurricanes.

A Few Snags, But Hopes Are Still High for Offshore Wind in Texas

The word on the street is that the Lehman failure has put a halt to T. Boone Pickens wind development plans as well. It's just a rumor -- don't quote me on it.

Wind Power on the Reservation

I think it's wonderful that the Indian tribes want to get in on the wind power boom. The biggest problem they face is that most reservation lands are far from population centers where the power is needed. Infrastructure to transport that power into the grids where it can be utilized will be an issue.

Along with their bid for wind power, they might consider trying to attract industry that can utilize that power. New industry would provide badly needed jobs for the reservations. Instead of "take the power to industry" they might look at "bring industry to the power."

Indian Tribes See Profit in Harnessing the Wind for Power

More Wind Dollars to West Texas

Yet another story on the wind farms in West Texas.

Wind power dollars pour into west Texas economy

By Eileen O'Grady
BLACKWELL, Texas (Reuters) - Millions of dollars in new tax revenue generated from the wind power boom sweeping rural west Texas have helped fund a rash of school building projects, the first signs of an expected economic revival.

"It's the greatest thing that...(complete story here).

More Texas Wind Farms

The wind farms continue to grow throughout the West Texas landscape.

On Texas prairie, wind power is resurgent

By Eileen O'Grady
ROSCOE, Texas (Reuters) - Fewer people curse the ever-present breeze that sweeps the treeless West Texas landscape these days, where the flat horizon has been overtaken by hundreds of wind turbines that produce electricity for distant city dwellers and new income for rural residents.

"Now we love the wind," said Max Watt as she...(complete article here).

Infrastructure Issues in New York and Pickens "Plan"

The article mentions T. Boone Pickens being "ahead" of other wind development companies in his efforts to "piggyback" a power transmission line on his water right-of-way (which by the way is likely in trouble). In spite of his $56 million PR campaign which involves robbing the Texas Panhandle of its precious water resources in order to invoke eminent domain takings of private property so that he can build his electric power lines, the state of Texas is far ahead of him with its $5.4 billion CREZ efforts to tie the ERCOT grid into the wind power generated in the Panhandle. Pickens is spending the money on the PR (the linked article below being some of the fruits of that campaign) so he can make 100's of millions off of the people of Texas by using legal loopholes against them.

Wind Energy Bumps Into Power Grid’s Limits

When the builders of the Maple Ridge Wind farm spent $320 million to put nearly 200 wind turbines in upstate New York, the idea was to get paid for producing electricity. But at times, regional electric lines have been so congested that...(complete article here).

Wind Turbines Effect on Bats

I recently attended the Panhandle Wind and Wildlife Conference in Amarillo, Texas. One of the topics discussed was the effect of wind turbines on birds and bats. The speaker was Ed Arnett of Bat Conservation International who is one of the experts cited in the article below. One of the points discussed was the role of bats in controlling insects.


Wind Turbines Kill Bats Without Impact

Jessica Marshall, Discovery News

Aug. 25, 2008 -- Researchers have found the cause behind mysterious bat deaths near wind turbines, in which many bat carcasses appeared uninjured.

The explanation to this puzzle is that the bats' lungs effectively...(complete article here).

Report on the Panhandle Wind and Wildlife Conference

The Panhandle Wind & Wildlife Conference was held this past weekend in Amarillo, Texas. The article linked below was written about that conference.

Learning a bit about wind, wildlife

It is important that we use a "whole landscape" approach to new energy development. We have an opportunity to do a better job of considering the implications of development and the potential impact on the environment in a manner that was unheard of when oil and gas development began.

Related links:

http://kvii.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=172380

http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=16593

http://www.newschannel10.com/global/story.asp?s=8813945

Kenedy Wind Farm Lawsuit Dismissed

Wind and wildlife -- the conflicts are only beginning.

Federal judge dismisses Texas wind farm lawsuit

Kenedy County wind farm could open by end of year

By Christopher Sherman
ASSOCIATED PRESSSaturday,
August 09, 2008

McALLEN — A federal judge dismissed a conservation group's lawsuit challenging two wind farm projects under construction in Kenedy County, clearing the way for their completion by year's end.

The Coastal Habitat Alliance had sought...(complete article here).

Nebraska Wind

Windmills in Nebraska need transmission lines to truly be of benefit.

In the Hills of Nebraska, Change Is on the Horizon

By DAN BARRY
Published: August 4, 2008
AINSWORTH, Neb.

Driving south out of the agricultural town of Ainsworth, you can’t miss its newest crop: wind turbines, three dozen of them, with steel stalks 230 feet high and petal-like blades 131 feet long, sprouting improbably from the sand hills of north-central Nebraska, beside ruminating cattle.

Though painted gray, the...(complete article here).

The Wind Boom in West Texas

New industry is an economic stimulus. In some areas, it may be economic salvation.

In Windy West Texas, An Economic Boom

by Ben Block on July 23, 2008

This is the first feature in a weekly, three-part series on green jobs in various sectors of the global economy.

Growing up in West Texas, Larry Martin became well accustomed to the challenges of living off the land. Raised on a cotton farm outside the small town of Sweetwater, he recalls defending his family's crops from sandstorms after a hard rain. More often, he hoped the region's brutal droughts would not burn the cotton to death.

Cotton farming in West Texas is...(complete article here).

Wind and Wildlife Research Projects

It is important to examine all of the implications of new technology on the environment. This important research will help to evaluate the impact of wind energy production on wildlife. Such impacts are also the subject of the Panhandle Wind and Wildlife Conference to be held August 8-9 in Amarillo, Texas.

Wind Power-Related Research Projects at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Interest in electricity from wind energy has been growing internationally. Large “wind farms” have sprung up around the world, each consisting of scores of turbines standing several hundred feet high with blades at least 100 ft across. Wind energy is relatively inexpensive and clean, without the air pollution and green-house gases that are by-products of coal-burning power plants or the worry about where to dispose of nuclear wastes. This makes the production of electricity from wind attractive.

However, wind turbines can have adverse effects on wildlife. Some wind farms have...(complete article and related links here).

Wind Infrastructure Approval in Texas

Regulatory approval may have been the easy part. Now the battle will be engaged to determine the routes. That will also likely include eminent domain battles with landowners who don't wish to have their property cut by new transmission lines. It also may generate battles with a few environmental groups because some of those lines could cross key wildlife habitat.

The Panhandle Wind and Wildlife Conference in Amarillo on August 8 and 9 will be an important venue for discussing many of the issues surrounding wind energy and wildlife. It is expected to draw interested persons from a very wide area.

Texas Approves a $4.93 Billion Wind-Power Project

By KATE GALBRAITH
Published: July 19, 2008

Texas regulators have approved a $4.93 billion wind-power transmission project, providing a major lift to the development of wind energy in the state.

The planned web of transmission lines will carry electricity from remote western parts of the state to major population centers like Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio. The lines can handle 18,500 megawatts of power, enough for 3.7 million homes on a hot day when air-conditioners are running.

The project will...(complete article here).

The Loss of an Ecosystem

I've been writing for the Canyon News for awhile. I decided it was time to "pimp" one of my articles....

Ecosystem complexity, the Lesser Prairie Chicken

The Lesser Prairie-Chicken was once common throughout many parts of the Texas Panhandle. For early explorers and early pioneers of the area, they were a reliable source of food when...(complete article here).

The Pickens Energy Campaign

Forgive my skepticism but I have a hard time believing that Mr. Picken's motives are not self serving. There may be other issues at stake. I'm certain that his investments will be well-rewarded from these expenditures.

Pickens Goes For The Grass Roots

Allison Fass, 07.11.08, 4:00 AM ET


"Did you know, back in 1970, we imported 24% of our oil, and by 1990 it was 42%," says billionaire T. Boone Pickens, in his Texas drawl, at the start of a national commercial that began airing this week. "Today, it's almost 70% and climbing every minute." His voice plays as the words appear in white letters on a black screen. A fire slowly burns into the background.

The octogenarian oilman has...(complete article here).

Following are related posts that I have previously made:

http://agriconenergy.blogspot.com/2008/07/balancing-needs-in-new-energy-economy.html

http://polytickle.blogspot.com/2008/07/pickens-energy-plan-and-media-blitz.html

http://polytickle.blogspot.com/2008/07/opportunities-for-doing-right-thing.html

Mapping Alternative Energy Resource Development

Exploring for Alternative Energy resources....

America's Best Places For Alternative Energy

William Pentland 07.09.08, 1:35 PM ET

The "cubic mile of oil"--a metric roughly equivalent to the amount of oil consumed worldwide each year--is frequently used to explain the challenge facing solar, wind, geothermal and biomass power.

So what would it...(complete article here).