Seeking Alpha reports Blackstone has invested $1.5 billion in a German offshore wind farm. Offshore wind farms are expected to grow at a rate of 50% a year for the next five years, and onshore wind farms are expected to grow just as much. With this demand, wind turbine stocks will benefit greatly and wind turbine manufacturing is growing to meet these requirements.
New Energy Focus reports Carbon Trust has warned users of small wind turbines in urban settings that they may not be contributing to lowering carbon emissions. These turbines can generally operate at 10% or less due to building obstruction, rural turbines operate at 15-20%, therefore, the manufacturing, installation, and operation of the turbines hasn’t been compensated by the wind energy. Carbon Trust is launching an online tool to determine the site suitability.
The New York Times reports complaints of wind power corruption have brought an investigation to rural New York. Small towns near the Canadian border have experienced rifts due to wind farm least options resulting in property damage and family feuds. Town officials are rezoning and allowing permits for their own personal gain and accepting financial bribes. There are currently nine large scale wind farms operating in New York.
Mail Online reports a student has created a wind turbine for £20. He used 100% recyclable materials from old bike frames and car parts to produce 11.3w. That is enough power for a light to run for 63 hours. The nearest alternative costs £2000.
Cambridge Network reports Consense has launched their 25th wind farm online consultation. The company is working with 20 wind farm developers to help secure 1,000 MW of wind energy. The Open Debate system provides a non-threatening environment to educate and inform residents, and then allow them to make informed comments.
Wicked Local reports resident, Chuck Donaldson, is looking for support from the West Roxbury community to erect a wind turbine on top of Millennium Park. The retired engineer would conduct a feasibility study with a kite system to collect data. He has already met with some city officials and, if approved, his plan would involve local students in many different aspects of the project.
Design Week reports a domestic wind turbine will be relased in the UK next year. This design is expected to provide up to 60% of an average household’s energy needs. The price is at £400. Philippe Starck, designer, has also created an eco-house, eco-scooter, and solar powered boat.
KKTV.com reports T. Boone Pickens is developing the world’s largest wind farm in Texas. He has discussed plans to provide 20% of the nation’s energy with wind power to both presidential candidates. Pickens believes they have been receptive to his proposal to install turbines from the Texas panhandle to North Dakota. In order to meet the goal of 20% renewable energy sources by 2020 with wind power, that means installing 75,000 wind turbines. Dragon Products is opening a facility in Lamar, Colorado to manufacture 300 turbines a year starting in January 2009.
RiverTowns.net reports Xcel Energy is asking the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to pay for renewable energy investments, they just asked for an electricity increase of 14.2% in June of 2007. The company is now asking for another 7.9% increase, this would add $6.47 a month to the average household electric bill. These increase will pay for new renewable energy projects, including a 100MW wind project and new transmission lines.
Beatrice Daily Sun.com reports Dempster Industries new owner plans to concentrate on new product lines for the wind energy industry. Currently a manufacturer of windmills, water pumps and other agricultural products, Wallace Davis will look to increase marketability by working with Windation Energy Systems to develop wind turbines for residential use. Long term goals will grow into commercial wind turbines.