Last week, during a spell of particularly strong wind gusts, Spain set a world record by having 40 percent of their energy requirement generated by wind power. The high winds in the northwest of the country generated a whopping 11,180 MW during the strongest gust.
Spain's Wind Energy Association said that the turbines were working at 69 percent of their potential during the strong winds, which means even fiercer winds could crush this record.
While the U.S. is still number one in wind power, we only get 1 percent of our energy from the resource. Spain, ranked third in the world, has been incredibly ambitious in their wind plans. They hope to be generating 20,000 MW from wind by 2010 up from the 16,000 MW they're currently producing. Beyond just wind, Spain hopes to have renewable energy sources making up 30 percent of their energy demand within the next year.
- Brewskie
When you see a Spain or France develop so much of their energy from non-fossil sources, it makes you wonder about the naysayers who contend "America can never be energy independent."
ReplyDeleteObviously we can be. I realize that gris power is different from liquid fuel, but the PHEV leaps the bridge.
Good point you made a while back on CNG vehicles--obviously the large tanks mean good usually for fleet vehicles and 18-wheelers, but not cars. Still, if most fleets and 18-wheelers went to NG, it would reduce oil imports. B Cole
B Cole,
ReplyDeleteThe Maldives pledge to be carbon neutral by 2020.
Sweden vows to stop poil usage by 2020.
As it's widely known, France generates 80% of its electricity from nuclear (whether you're for or against it).
Portugal currently generates over 20% of its energy through renewables.
Kicking “Lady Black Horse” is difficult, but junkies live cleaner lives because of it. The U.S. will tell its sob story to E! one of these days.