There’s a persistent myth about wind turbines that just won’t seem to go away despite reality running to the contrary: they need rare earth materials to generate electricity. For those not acquainted with rare earths like neodymium and dysprosium, they’re used in products from your iPhone and computer to flat screen TVs and certain types … Continue reading Rare earths and wind turbines: A problem that doesn’t exist
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Wind energy customers discuss what comes after PTC phase out
American wind power’s future growth will be driven by a diverse range of customers and trends. Leaders representing a corporate purchaser, deregulated utility, a public utility commissioner, and a wind developer, discussed a few of those trends – demand from diverse customers, transmission expansion, falling costs, and storytelling – on the closing General Session panel … Continue reading Wind energy customers discuss what comes after PTC phase out
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Wind energy saves customers billions while maintaining the grid’s reliability
One of the nation’s leading utilities integrating wind energy onto its system reaffirmed on the second day of WINDPOWER 2017 that wind helps sustain grid reliability while saving its consumers money. Addressing over 7,000 attendees, Xcel Energy’s CEO Ben Fowke recommitted the utility’s investment in wind energy as a low-cost way to help keep the … Continue reading Wind energy saves customers billions while maintaining the grid’s reliability
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Grid reliability, security and diversity: Another way wind works for America
“What happens when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine?” That’s a common question from those wanting to understand how grid operators integrate renewable energy. Fortunately, the experts who keep the lights on every day find they can reliably handle large amounts of wind and solar energy. Grid operators have always balanced major … Continue reading Grid reliability, security and diversity: Another way wind works for America
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Wind power running with the bulls
The U.S. wind industry is proceeding at full steam. After two consecutive years installing more than 8,000 megawatts (MW), wind growth shows no sign of slowing down. The industry just experienced its strongest first quarter since 2009 and the second strongest first quarter ever. At more than 84,000 MW installed, the U.S. has enough capacity … Continue reading Wind power running with the bulls
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Staying strong through the 2020’s: Market trends
Yesterday, in our examination of trends keeping the U.S. wind industry healthy and growing, we took a look at industry trends that will help drive continued expansion. Today, we focus on the market. What new customers are thirsty for wind power? How will decisions from utilities drive new business? Which unconventional players are entering the … Continue reading Staying strong through the 2020’s: Market trends
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Renewable Energy Employs 9.8 million People Worldwide
More than 9.8 million people were employed in the renewable energy sector in 2016, according to a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2017, released at IRENA’s 13th Council meeting, provides the latest employment figures of the renewable energy sector and insight into the factors … Continue reading Renewable Energy Employs 9.8 million People Worldwide
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Countdown begins to the world’s biggest offshore conference and exhibition
Offshore Wind Energy 2017, the globe’s largest dedicated offshore wind event ever, is just around the corner! Thousands of delegates, exhibitors, and visitors will be heading to London’s magnificent ExCeL Centre from June 6-8 for what promises to be the year’s most significant gathering of offshore industry players. WindEurope and RenewableUK are joining forces to host this … Continue reading Countdown begins to the world’s biggest offshore conference and exhibition
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AWEA CEO Statement on today’s release of President Trump’s proposed FY2018 budget
The following statement was made by Tom Kiernan, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), on the Trump Administration’s release of its proposed U.S. Government budget for FY2018. “While the administration’s 2018 budget proposes many changes, thanks to strong bipartisan leadership and support in Congress we believe the program has the support it needs … Continue reading AWEA CEO Statement on today’s release of President Trump’s proposed FY2018 budget
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WindEurope discusses EU electricity market priorities at Florence Forum
On 16-17 May, WindEurope participated in the 32nd meeting of the European electricity regulatory forum (Florence Forum). Every year national regulators, Member State governments, the European Commission, system operators, power exchangers and market parties gather in this forum to discuss reforms to the EU internal electricity market. WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson was invited to … Continue reading WindEurope discusses EU electricity market priorities at Florence Forum
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A new narrative for Europe
This year’s European Business Summit invited EU thought leaders to discuss Europe’s future. Around 2,500 delegates listened to 200 speakers on this two-day highlight in Brussels. WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson deliberated in a panel with European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen, BusinessEurope President Emma Marcegaglia and representatives from the steel, engineering and ICT sectors. Energy has … Continue reading A new narrative for Europe
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Community projects steal the show in German onshore wind energy auction
The first onshore wind tender in Germany, under the reformed “EEG” renewable energy law, awarded 807 MW at an average price of EUR 57.1/MWh (weighted average) according to results announced on 19 May 2017. Of the 70 successful bids, 65 came from community projects, confirming the key role of citizens in the German energy … Continue reading Community projects steal the show in German onshore wind energy auction
Continue readingStaying strong through the 2020’s: 16 trends powering wind’s growth
This column originally appeared in the WINDPOWER show daily. In December 2015, a bipartisan deal in Congress gave the U.S. wind industry something it had sought for years: long-term policy certainty. The five-year extension of the Production Tax Credit, retroactive to cover 2015, created a business environment primed for growth and finally put an end … Continue reading Staying strong through the 2020’s: 16 trends powering wind’s growth
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WindEurope tells Bulgaria to do the right thing on renewables before its EU Presidency starts next year
WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson spoke at an energy markets conference in Sofia on 16 May. It was a major event with the Bulgarian Energy Minister, government officials, industry and other stakeholders. Bulgaria has 700 MW of wind power installed today, covering 4% of its electricity demand. Bulgaria is the biggest exporter of electricity in Southeast … Continue reading WindEurope tells Bulgaria to do the right thing on renewables before its EU Presidency starts next year
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Spain returns to wind energy with record low prices
Wind energy was awarded nearly all of the 3GW available in the Spanish renewable energy auction whose results were announced on 17 May. The auction resulted in contracts for €43/MWh, the maximum discount rate allowed under the Spanish tendering system. This is the lowest level ever awarded in an onshore wind tender in Europe. The … Continue reading Spain returns to wind energy with record low prices
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WINDPOWER 2017: What’s happening in Congress?
This guest post was authored by J.C. Sandberg, Director, Global Government Affairs & Policy – Renewable Energy, GE Energy. Next Tuesday at 3:30pm, I’ll be moderating a panel at AWEA’s WINDPOWER conference entitled, “Making the Case for America’s Wind Industry in Congress: Opportunities and Challenges.” We all hear a lot coming out of Washington these … Continue reading WINDPOWER 2017: What’s happening in Congress?
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Five tips to have a fantastic first WINDPOWER
Next week I head to Anaheim, Cal. for my first WINDPOWER Conference! As part of AWEA’s conference team, I’ve had a front row seat to the incredible hard work that goes into this event. And as a marketing staffer, part of my job is to ensure the public knows about the conference and the dozens … Continue reading Five tips to have a fantastic first WINDPOWER
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Wind power offers Oklahoma schools a lifeline during budget cuts
The Oklahoman recently took a look at what the Sooner State’s growing wind industry has meant for rural school districts. Its findings: wind power has made a big difference. Oklahoma has faced steep cuts to its state education budget in recent years, but wind payments have helped bridge the gap for many small-town districts. “We … Continue reading Wind power offers Oklahoma schools a lifeline during budget cuts
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WindEurope encourage Lithuanians to pursue their ambitious plans for wind energy
A WindEurope delegation (CEO Giles Dickson, Kresten Ørnbjerg of Vestas and Aistis Radavicius of the Lithuanian Wind Association) met the Lithuanian Energy Minister on 12 May. We also met the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Energy Committee in the Lithuanian Parliament and the Chair of the Economy Committee. We were encouraged to learn that … Continue reading WindEurope encourage Lithuanians to pursue their ambitious plans for wind energy
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Maryland makes a play for the offshore wind crown
The Maryland Public Service Commission greenlit two projects yesterday that put the state at the forefront of U.S. offshore wind development. The commission approved offshore renewable energy credits for 368 megawatts of capacity spread across two projects, proposed by U.S. Wind and a subsidiary of Deepwater Wind. The move will allow the financing of both … Continue reading Maryland makes a play for the offshore wind crown
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