by Timlynn Babitsky
You can’t depend on wind they say. When you least expect it, the wind dies, the sails luff, the power goes. As we stretch to reach national 25×25 goals, there are plans afoot to tame the will-o-the-wind. The Iowa Stored Energy Park, a joint project of Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas, is one such effort. How do they plan to get wind energy on demand? Why, simply harvest the wind’s energy and store it for future use. And once again we see that grassroots organizing is so important! (more…)
by Timlynn Babitsky
Think “wind power” — and electricity, generators, light bulbs, and air conditioners all pop into mind. But the city of Seminole has a pilot project in the works that will use wind power to desalinate groundwater to make drinkable water. How will they do that you ask? (more…)
by Timlynn Babitsky
I’ve been on a hunt for songs and music with the beauty of wind as the theme. There are certainly a number of songs about the terrible power of wind. You know, sinking ships, blowing away dreams and that kind of thing. I posted my query to one of the best folk music websites thinking there MUST be some great ”good wind” folk songs….and three songs were immediately posted in reply: (more…)
by Timlynn Babitsky
A fully functioning, electricity-producing wind turbine standing only 8 inches tall? The PicoTurbine teaches wind energy concepts to kids from grade 5 to adult. It’s been used by major universities like MIT and Caltech for summer youth programs, comes with teacher’s guide and more. (more…)
by Timlynn Babitsky
The Department of Energy has selected Montana as one of five states to participate in the inaugural year of the Wind for Schools Program. While the Program has received a three-year commitment from DOE to fund Host School curriculum development and the establishment of a Wind Applications Center (WAC) at MSU-Bozeman the program is in danger. (more…)
by Timlynn Babitsky
KiteShip Corporation founders Dave Culp, and Dean Jordan plan to build kites as large as a football field to power cargo ships and oil tankers. Unlike traditional sails which require masts and specialized rigging, the kite could be easily attached to an existing ship and moved from one vessel to another in a commercial fleet. Using a KiteShip kite along with traditional engine power, could provide fuel savings of between 15-30 percent. (more…)
