May 26, 2005. Copyright 2005, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Enough wind to power the world
By Mark Rutter

LONDON, May 26, Graphic News:  ItÕs not quite what Bob Dylan had in mind in 1962 when he sang ÒThe answer is blowinÕ in the windÓ, but the solution to meeting the growing demand for non-polluting energy could indeed lie with the wind. Research just published in the ÒJournal of Geophysical ResearchÓ has concluded that wind power alone can easily satisfy our energy needs. Harnessing only around one fifth of this available wind would be enough to replace all other sources of energy including electricity and fuel for running vehicles and for heating.
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The research, which was carried out by scientists based at Stanford University in California, used measurements of wind speed and temperature from over 8,000 weather monitoring stations around the world between 1998 and 2002. As most of the readings were obtained at or near ground level, they used mathematical models to estimate the wind speed at 80 metres above ground level, the height of the centre of the blades of a typical wind turbine. This information was then used to construct maps to show where wind speeds were sufficient to provide low cost energy generation. Offshore areas generally had higher wind speeds and therefore are favourable for electricity generation. North America and Antarctica came out as the best locations for wind power generation. Other areas highlighted as having good potential for wind resources were northern Europe, particularly around the North Sea, the southern tip of South America and Tasmania.
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Although wind power currently makes up only a small fraction of the total global energy generation, its share is increasing rapidly. Germany leads the way with 37% of the world capacity, followed by the United States and Spain both with around 16%. In Europe in particular, this is being driven by concerns over pollution, especially emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels and restrictions being imposed by the European Union and the Kyoto Protocol. The UK has a target of generating 10% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2010, of which wind is expected to make up by far the largest proportion. As a result, the government has made it easier to obtain planning permission to build wind farms, as well as introducing financial incentives. The recent increases in oil and gas prices and increasing reliance on the politically unstable Middle East has  intensified the search for alternatives to fossil fuels.
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But, as has become apparent in the UK in the last few years, having adequate wind resources available does not mean that it will be easy to exploit for energy. The anti-wind lobby has been very vociferous in expressing their disquiet over the visual impact of wind turbines on the landscape, an issue which has split environmentalists. Other groups fear that large numbers of birds will be chopped up in turbine blades. Offshore wind turbines have been associated with interfering with shipping, aviation and radar. Added to these problems is the high cost of connecting wind turbines, often located in remote spots, to main electricity grids. However, if the latest study is correct in its findings that only 20% of the commercially viable sites for wind power generation are required, it should be possible to find suitable locations that are acceptable to most detractors.
/ENDS