Page 29 - Fluid Power Engineering

Overview of W ind Energy Business 7

Other disadvantages of wind energy are reliance on government
subsidies and significantly higher cost of small wind projects. Like
other electricity generation, wind relies on moderate to low-level sub-
sidies from governments. Over time, as the cost of greenhouse gas
emission is built into the cost of traditional forms of electricity gener-
ation, these subsidies may not be required. Small winds projects (less
than 100 kW), especially wind projects of size 15 kW or less, are ex-
pensive. The capital cost per kilowatt may be 3 to 5 times the cost per
kilowatt of a large wind farm.
In conclusion, any potential negative impacts should be rigor-
ously analyzed and strategies put in place to mitigate the impact. On
balance, there is compelling evidence that wind energy delivers sig-
nificant benefits to the environment and the economy.

References
1. World Wind Energy Association. World Wind Energy Report 2009, World
Wind Energy Association, Bonn, Germany, March, 2010.
2. Wiser, R., and Bolinger, M. 2008 Wind Technologies Market Report, Lawrence
Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 2009.
3. Milborrow, D. “Annual Power Costs Comparison: What a Difference a Year
Can Make,” Windpower Monthly, 2010, January.
4. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, US Department of Energy. 20%
Wind Energy by 2030. US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 2008.
www.nrel.gov/docs/fy08osti/41869.pdf. DOE/GO-102008-2567.
5. American Wind Energy Association. 20% Wind Energy by 2030: Wind, Backup
Power, and Emissions, American Wind Energy Association, Washington, DC,
2009. http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets/Backup Power.pdf.