Wind energy is the watch word of the world today as it has the singular advantage of being green, Eco-friendly, economical, easily extractable, renewable, abundant, omnipresent and totally emission free. From windmills and wind turbines for electric power generation, wind pumps for water supply or drainage to sails for ships, wind power is the unequivocal choice for power generation and needs.
Wind power
Onshore wind power units usually yield moderate amounts of power to individual locations while offshore wind units may generate power en mass. The only drawback in using wind power is the lack of continuous supply and seasonal nature of heavy wind currents to augment power generation. Using heavy storage facilities and wind boosters may ameliorate the quantity of wind power produced.
About 2% of the global power comes from wind generators. In 2010, the quota of worldwide wind power amounted to 192 Giga watts. An insight into the countries of the world harnessing the wind power is truly helpful.
China-The Wind Champion
1. China - the wind champion
Although formerly ranked third in wind power generation, China has recently toppled the US to stand first among the wind-powered nations. By 2010, China's wind power fulfilled 41.8 Giga watts of electrical power needs. China aims to be totally wind-powered for all its electricity needs by 2030.
By 2008, 15 Chinese companies had become truly functional in delivering wind power. Sinove, Goldwind and Dongfang Electric are some of the prominent wind power companies in China. China plans to invest more than 100 billion Yuan to multiply its wind power capacity.
In fact, the most remarkable fact is that the National People's Congress has, by decree, made it mandatory for all the Chinese industries to harness this renewable energy.
U.S.wind power
2. US - ultimate in wind power
The total installed capacity of the US in wind power stood at 40,180 MW, in 2010. With 38 states having utility-scale wind projects and 14 states with over 1,000 MW of wind power. US has earmarked 20% of its total power to be extracted from wind by 2030.
At the end of 2010, the top five states for cumulative wind energy capacity were Texas, Iowa, California, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington State in the leading order. Texas topped the list with a whopping 10,085 MW of power installed.
Over 50 of the wind turbines deployed deliver domestic power while around 500 manufacturing plants cater to the industry. Around 85,000 green collar worker sare employed by the US.
Germany-the Wind Power Giant-Lassow -World's Tallest Turbine
3. Germany - the wind power giant
By 2010, Germany stood third among the wind-powered nations yielding 27.2 Giga watt power. About 2% of Germany's electrical power comes from wind.
With nearly 21,607 wind turbines, Germany plans to expand its wind power units to offshore bases and inland farms. In 2010, Germany launched its first offshore wind power unit in the North Sea, called Alpha Ventus.
Though third in wind power outputs, Germany has many firsts to its credit. The tallest turbine in the world, the Fuhrlander Wind Turbine is in Germany in Laasow, Brandenburg, Germany also boasts of the best and most powerful wind turbines like the Enercon E-126.
Offshore units have great potential for wind power in Germany. Germany is currently in the process of re-powering - replacing first generation wind turbines with modern multi-megawatt machines to boost its wind power.
Spain-speeding up on wind power
4. Spain - speeding up on wind power
With 19.96 mega watts of wind power, Spain stands fourth among the world's top wind energy producers. Iberdrola, Acciona and NEO Energia are some of Spain's ranking wind power units.
Navarre, in Spain aims to be Europe's first city to be self-sufficient on wind power. Navarre, with 900 mega watts installed capacity, is also Europe's sixth largest producer of wind power.
India-eager on wind power
5. India - eager on wind power
Standing fifth among the world's wind power producers, India accounted for 14.459 mega watts of wind power in 2010. The Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal contribute to India's wind power. About 1.6% of India's total power comes from wind.
Suzlon has emerged as India's largest wind turbine manufacturer, holding 52% of the market share. Tamil Nadu is the largest wind power producer with the Muppandal Wind Farm in Aralvaimozhi, being the largest in the Indian subcontinent.
Italy-interested in wind power
6. Italy - interested in wind power
By the end of 2010, Italy attributed 5,660 MW of its total installed power to wind. Sicilia, Puglia, Calabria, Campania and Sardinia are the leading wind power generators.
France-fast on wind power
7. France - fast on wind power
With 4.521 MW, France is fast improving on wind power. With the European Union's directive, France has earmarked 25 GW as its wind power target, by 2020.
France is lucky to have the Europe's largest wind potential and plans to make the best use of it by building large offshore units to yield 6 GW of its total output by 2020.
Enercon, Nordex, Vestas and Repower are some of France's leading wind turbine manufacturers.
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