Wind Power and America's Grid

I recently saw several presentations on the use of wind power in the United States, and more specifically the locations where it is most viable. It is very interesting to see the areas of the country most available to wind power when you put that against our country's current power grid. Some of the areas with the most potential for wind energy production are minimally connected to the national grid.

Although a great alternative to the way we have been doing electrical energy, at the cost of around $1.5 million per turbine, and the added costs of connecting these areas to the national grid in a way possible to transport electricity long distances, wind power becomes more and more expensive. Several national political factors and world energy market factors lead me to believe we will make serious investments into this technology and infrastructure improvements, but to do so will cost billions of dollars.

I am interested in the technology and idea, but disheartened by the lack of resources we have as a nation to pay for this out of pocket. If I think of it as one huge capital improvement project, it makes me feel less bad though.

For more information please check out Wind Powering America.