Wyoming in for new crop of wind turbines

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2007/10/21/news/business/a3acffd04df5096587257379006d66b2.txt

Wyoming in for new crop of wind turbines

By DUSTIN BLEIZEFFER
Star-Tribune energy reporter Sunday, October 21, 2007

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Today, 183 white pinwheels are planted atop Foote Creek Rim, facing the winds of Elk Mountain. On average, the wind turbines generate 134.75 megawatts of electricity. This is a world-class wind resource where the leading cause of turbine down-time is too much wind.

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Wind developers are set to plant a new crop of turbines in Wyoming, eager to meet growing demand in the West for "green" or renewable sources of energy.

Rob Hurless, energy and telecommunications advisor to Gov. Dave Freudenthal, recently said wind developers are "lined up" at Wyoming's door, prepared to install as much electrical capacity that can fit on interstate transmission lines.

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Rocky Mountain Power recently announced two new projects: Seven Mile Hill in Carbon County, and the Glenrock Wind Energy Project in Converse County. Both include 66 G.E. turbines generating 99 megawatts of power. Company officials say the expect to continue adding wind turbines at this scale for many years to come.

Also this year, Rocky Mountain Power announced plans to invest some $4 billion in electrical transmission in the six Western states where it operates. About half of the additional electrical transmission tied to Wyoming will accommodate new wind development, according to the company.

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Currently, wind power represents less than 1 percent of the nation's electrical generation. Industry leaders believe wind could fill up to 20 percent of generation portfolio.

But even wind proponents warn against the notion that it can solve the nation's energy and greenhouse gas concerns.

"Wind is a great technology, and it deserves to be in the mix," said Borrows. "But it's not a panacea."

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[AlecBGreen]

1. the money quote

"Wind is a great technology, and it deserves to be in the mix," said Borrows. "But it's not a panacea."

There are very few monopolies in nature. The earth doesnt monocrop, its diversifies like any good investor should. We should emulate it and spread out our electricity generation. The more variable sources we have, the less we suffer when one of them hiccups.