20 by 30
by Timlynn Babitsky
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) just released a first-of-its-kind report examining the technical feasibility of wind energy’s potential to provide up to 20 percent of the nation’s total electricity needs by 2030. This 248 page report is a must read for wind project advocates. If you want the real story on wind power potential you need to do your homework.
This report does not paint wind with silver bullet predictions. It is a fair assessment of the steps necessary and the challenges to expect in order for wind power to generate that 20% of U. S. electricity.
As you might expect, for example, NIMBY will no doubt continue to exert a significant challenge as projects spread across the landscape. And you can bet your bippy that resistors will use items in this report whenever they can to sway public opinion against your project based on issues listed on this site, and certainly more to follow.
With no doubt, there is a tough mountain to climb. Yet knowing now what to realistically expect as we make that climb can help keep the goal in focus no matter how energetic the effort or disheartening the response. And, being forewarned on what to expect can help both the public and wind advocates alike avoid becoming disenchanted with wind energy’s promise in the U. S. energy portfolio.
For an interesting and funny assessment on reading the DOE report in full, David Pace points you (by chapter and page) to some key items of interest in his “Want 20 Percent Wind Power by 2030, Get to Work!” available here.
And for the full report, click here.