Winds of Change Could Power Energy Shift

US gets only 1% of power from wind, but that could soon change
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 11, 2009 10:56 AM CST
Winds of Change Could Power Energy Shift
In this Wednesday, March 5, 2008, file photo, a wind turbine blade is displayed during the opening of the Vestas blade factory in Windsor, Colo.   (AP Photo/File,Jack Dempsey, File)

Wind turbines only provide 1% of power in the US, but advances by other nations might there's a push to up that number after the advances made by other nations. When storms pound Spain, wind-driven power provides up to a quarter of the nation's supply, driving down the cost of electricity by 11%, reports ABC News. That kind of savings could be possible in America, too.

Energy consultants estimate that if US companies were required to create at least 15% of their power from renewable sources, the average cost of electricity would drop 7%. And wind is a great source, when it's blowing. "Once your wind turbines go up, you have basically no costs," explains one proponent. "The fuel is free." (More wind power stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X