by: JerryD.

We are beginning to recognize that our dependence on fossil fuels is hazardous to our environment and getting more and more expensive every day. Everywhere alternative energy sources are being considered and even put into production. Take wind for example. It is always blowing and always free. We have begun to put it to use to generate power. It is not clear yet how much wind power will be a part of our future energy use and production.

Studies are being conducted by the US Department of Energy as they attempt to evaluate the situation. They report that in twenty years as much as 20% of our energy needs could be supplied by wind power. In fact, it has the potential to produce one fifth our electricity by the year 2030.

The D of E report looked at a scenario with wind playing a major role in energy generation by 2030 and also looked at the opposite scenario where we make zero investment in wind energy. The initial findings show that the country has even greater wind energy potential than would be needed to reach the twenty percent mark.

In order to generate 20 percent of our power from wind energy by the year 2030 the construction of new wind generation stations would have to pick up its pace. If you increase the rate of production to the point where in nine years we could produce 16,000 MW per year then we would then be able to reach the twenty percent mark by 2030.

The wind energy industry has the potential not only to decrease the cost of electricity but to generate new jobs and a new growth industry, something our economy could use in its recovery efforts. The growth potential needed to maintain the level of production thought to be possible would mean as many as 150,000 new jobs in the wind power industry. Adding in peripheral jobs created by the growth of this industry, such as electricians, steel workers, accountants, and lawyers, the new job number would reach a half million.

One huge benefit to the USA and a major factor in the decision to implement this plan, is that not only is wind power environmentally friendly, it is a domestic resource which means that we would have significantly more control over our power supply then we do now with an oil based system.

Another benefit is that wind power and wind generation does not have an impact on the surrounding environment. The stations will need to be located many places throughout the country, but the land that they used can be shared with other purposes, such as farming or grazing livestock. It does not damage the environment the way oil drilling and coal mining does.

Wind power also consumes no water, which is something that will be of increasing importance by 2030 or even sooner as many states will experience water shortages that may verge on a crisis in the future. The fact that wind power can provide for our electrical needs without destroying habitat or taking up lots of a precious natural resource makes it a very attractive alternative to the current system.

About the Author:

Jerry Dyess specializes in the Texas Electricity segment. He has published many articles on Texas Electric prices.

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Alternative use of conventional Energy question still unanswered
written by Gary K, December 06, 2009

I would really like to see the EPA-OBD II Annual Vehicle Emissions Inspection Law closely examined and changed.As it stands right now, it is entirely possible for any Gasoline powered Vehicle from 1996 to the present to fail it's Emissions Inspection, for not emitting enough polluting Exhaust Emissions ! All such Vehicles have on board Oxygen [O2] Exhaust Sensors.These O2 Sensors are set up to detect a level of polluting Exhaust Emissions that would indicate that Gasoline is being consumed by an Engine at 14.7 parts of Air to 1 part of Fuel.If there is a low level of Oxygen, and a high level of Pollution, a Vehicle will fail it's Emissions Inspection as well it should.But Gasoline can be safely vaporized into a mixture that is 100 parts of Air to 1 part of Fuel.With this, even the largest SUV could easily get 50 + MPG and emit a fraction of the Emissions of a conventional 14.7/1 Fuel System, with an increase in Power, and much longer Engine life.I'm not the first to figure this out.Far from it ! For proof, do a search on [the late] Tom Ogle, and Charles Nelson Pogue.Then, go to http://energy21.freeservers.com/bookrep.html and scan down the page to just before the update.But even if it is not to be believed that Fuel Vaporization is entirely possible, it's illegal to even attempt to do so with any Vehicle from 1996 to the present.O2 Sensors are set up to detect that Fuel is being consumed at 14.7/1. A mixture of 100 / 1 will not emit enough Polluting Exhaust Emissions to register on O2 Sensors.When such a Vehicle is connected to an OBD II Emissions Inspection Analyzer, an O2 Sensor Failure Code will be generated, which will result in a failed Emissions Inspection.O2 Sensor Exemptions are permitted for Vehicles that have been legally converted to operate on Natural Gas, Propane, or Hydrogen, and are Registered as such.But not for vaporized Gasoline.Thus, it is entirely possible under this EPA-OBD II Vehicle Emissions Inspection Law for any Gasoline powered Vehicle from 1996 to the present to fail it's Emissions Test for not emitting enough polluting Exhaust Emissions ! As long as this insane 14.7/1 Law that only benefits Big Oil remains in effect, the only way to make Vehicles more "efficient" will be to make them lighter, and smaller.This has got to change ! I have asked the Question many times ; "Why is it illegal for any Gasoline powered Vehicle from 1996 to the present to emit too little polluting Exhaust Emissions"? So far, not one Big Oil Executive, Politician, or Concerned Environmentalist can, or will answer the Question.Those that have bothered to reply can't seem to come up with an Answer either.Can you ?

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