Wind Electricity Technology - Wind Electricity Technology

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Technological advancements require the increased use of energy to drive modern technological appliances. All countries implement the measures for developing and applying renewable sources of energy for their sustainable development. The state of Illinois is among the biggest consumers of energy in the United States, which necessitates the development and application of the renewable sources of energy, including wind energy, in this state. As evidenced by the increasing number of organizations that use wind energy, Illinois has shown a focus on renewable energy source similar to other countries. The state enhances adherence to renewable sources of energy through the formulation of appropriate policies. Among other policies, the states renewable portfolio standard (RPS) is pivotal in ensuring that investors in electric utilities and other retail electric suppliers include higher percentages of their retail sales from renewable sources. Since the state of Illinois is actively involved in manufacturing that largely relies on electricity, more developments are expected in the states use of wind energy.

There has been great concern regarding the need for the usage of renewable energy sources. In 2007, the United States already had 5,200 MW of wind power capacity in use. The installations were on such a sharp increase that by December 2007, the United States already had achieved a cumulative installation level of 16,596 MW . In the USA, the Midwest is quite a windy region, which facilitates the installation of wind energy plants. Based on estimations, it is believed that by 2030, wind energy technology will grow to the extent of supplying at least 20% of the general electricity demands in the United States. Based on the recent developments in wind energy technology installations, it is evident that this type of renewable energy makes significant contributions to the electricity supply in the state of Illinois and the world in general.

The Status of Wind Electricity Technology

There has been a significant development in the global usage of wind energy during recent years. Statistics show that the installations had increased by factor of 32 since 1996, and by 2010, the installation had already reached about 197 GW, with a capacity to meet at least 2.5% of the demand for electricity worldwide. As the demand for renewable sources of energy continues to grow, it is projected that the development of wind energy technologies will continue. Technological advancements will facilitate the implementation of this technology in the coming decades, which will enable the production of reliable energy at a reduced cost. Apart from developed countries, which have already witnessed a significant growth in wind energy technology installation, this technology spreads quickly to developing nations, with various advancements made to make it more effective and reliable. Recent innovations can be justified by examining the developments in drive systems, rotors, and more advanced towers.

Similar to other states in the USA, Illinois has realized a steady increase in the development of wind energy technology. This technology has been implemented in Illinois following successful tests that had been conducted by Gamesa. Thus, Gamesa, a wind energy giant that has been recognized globally, discussed its intentions to perform a wind energy test in Lee County with local land owners. At the initial stage, the tests involved the construction of commercial-scale wind farms to examine their success and profitability. Furthermore, the Mendota Hills wind farm was the first point, at which wind energy technology was tested in the state of Illinois. Prior to the test, this state was hardly believed to be among the windiest states in the country. The establishment of the Mendota Hills wind plant signified the beginning of a series of advancements in the states wind energy technology. The test marked the genesis of power extraction by use of windmills at relatively lower speeds hence making the state of Illinois to be regarded among the US leading producers of wind energy. Currently, the Twin Groves I and II wind farm is the largest one in the state. Each has at least 120 turbines that are capable of producing at least 198 MW (Warburg, 2012). Apart from Twin Groves, other wind energy farms in the state of Illinois include the GSG wind farm and the Crescent Ridge.

Reasons for the Extensive Use of Wind Electricity Technology

Technological developments have given room for advancements in peoples lifestyle. Therefore, an increasing need for electric power has been observed due to the necessity to drive new technological appliances that are used in the modern economy. The wind electricity technology has attracted particular interest alongside other renewable sources of energy. As compared to other electric power sources, wind energy has found an extensive use due to its environmental friendliness. This energy source provides a viable way of revitalization for the economies of rural areas.

Wind energy technology is also extensively used since it is based on an assumption that wind as a source can be replenished. According to Illinois Power Agency (2012), wind energy is a natural source that can be naturally regained and its production does not require any form of drilling, mining, or fuel transportation that can require additional costs or that can cause harm to the environment. As such, this technology is believed to be a plausible source of energy for use amid the growing concern over sustainable development. Finally, numerous benefits emerge during the construction and operational stages of this technology since business operations increase at a reduced cost.

State Government Policy Regarding Wind Energy Technology

The successful application of wind energy in many sectors of economy in the state of Illinois is attributed to the support from the state government. According to the Illinois Power Agency (2012), the state has a renewable portfolio standard (RPS). This standard helps ensure that the investors in electric utilities and other retail electric suppliers include higher percentages of their retail sales from renewable sources. This policy has seen a significant growth in wind energy application as retail supplies show a remarkable interest in dealing in wind energy that is regarded among the top sources of renewable energy in the State of Illinois.

Illinois Environmental Law and Policy center also facilitates the development of wind energy. The law and policy center collaborates with the colleagues throughout the state to improve the creation of new jobs while spurring economic growth through the use of wind power. The creation of this group was encouraged by the state of Illinois to aid in expert policy analysis and testimony besides ensuring proper coordination with clean tech investors, policy formulators, and developers for the effective identification of new opportunities for wind power. Additionally, the state of Illinois has aided in the creation of the Illinois Renewable Energy Association to provide support development of sustainable energy in the state. Furthermore, this association works on providing opportunities for people to be educated on the uses, potential, and advantages of wind energy as one of the renewable sources of energy that are supported by the state (Garcia M?rquez, Tobias, Pinar, & Papaelias, 2012). The state government has provided support to wind energy projects, which leads to the successful development of such projects and the increase in popularity of wind energy as a viable source of renewable energy.

Companies Applying Wind Electricity Technology in the State of Illinois

Many companies in Illinois battle for an opportunity to benefit from developing an environmentally-friendly energy source. Many local companies have adopted this new technology. Among them is Suzlon that has emerged as a big force in the wind energy industry. The company began its operations in 1995 and showed a slow but steady growth that could be associated with its effective production and use of wind energy (Illinois Power Agency, 2012). The company was ranked 5th worldwide after successfully acquiring 10.5 of the worlds total market share within a decade. In addition to Suzlon, another company, which has achieved remarkable gains in the production and utilization of wind energy, is Aerotecture International that collaborates with Becker Renewable Energy to ensure the effective distribution of wind energy to urban setups (United States Department of Energy, 2013). The company has aero turbines that are easily adaptable to the roofs of buildings in cities.

Potential Capacities to Promote Wind Electricity Technology in the State of Illinois

The state of Illinois has a great potential for promoting the growth of wind electricity in many ways. First, it is important to understand that this state is regarded as one of the largest energy consumers in the country. According to the United States Department of Energy (2013), Illinois is in a constant need for energy to drive its economy and power the household for the ever-growing population. As such, wind energy presents a viable solution to the energy demand in the state as it gives the population an opportunity to benefit from a renewable and environmentally-friendly source of energy.

The state of Illinois is actively involved in manufacturing and this economic activity requires great amounts of electricity. Among the most important local industries are machinery, proceed foods, and chemicals (Caduff, Huijbregts, Althaus, Koehler, & Hellweg, 2012). The state also has other energy-intensive industries that necessitate the application of a renewable source of energy to reduce any harm to the environment at the expense of development. Therefore, among them are the coal mining and the petroleum refining industries. Consequently, the state has an opportunity to adopt wind energy to actualize its industrial operations at an affordable cost and in a manner that is less harmful to the environment.

In Illinois, wind electricity energy is regarded among the main sources of renewable energy. According to Caduff et al., (2012), coal was the source for less than a third of the states net energy generation in 2016. In the past 10 years, coal was used for the production of almost half of the overall power in the state, while natural gas supplied below 5% of the states generation (United States Department of Energy, 2013). However, in 2016, natural gas constituted almost one-tenth of the overall energy supply (United States Department of Energy, 2013). The remaining energy was generated by wind farms. There is a general belief that with the increasing demand for energy and the growing popularity of wind energy in Illinois, its usage will continue to grow. Thus, this energy will become the energy of choice for many local companies and organizations. Caduff et al. (2012) state that the state also advocates the expansion of renewable sources of energy through its renewable portfolio standard (RPS). The calls for the expansion of renewable resources are aimed at ensuring that all investor-owned electric utilities and other retailers of electricity supplies obtain more proportions of their retail sales from renewable sources.

In Illinois, there has been a general growth in the use of wind electricity and its adoption by many companies over the past years. Wind energy is believed to have the capacity of becoming one of the top energy sources in the United States. Moreover, Illinois is ranked among the states that have the highest capacity to supply wind energy in the United States. There is need for strict adherence of the already formulated policies that require a focus on the use of renewable sources of energy to minimize the hazardous implications of development projects. There is the need for the advancements in the use of wind energy as an alternative for traditional sources of energy that are harmful to the environment. Moreover, this technology should be developed and adopted by more companies in the United States due to its capacity to influence economic development positively.