Geology News
Wind Energy Current Events

“A roughly 3.5-mile high Martian mound that scientists suspect preserves evidence of a massive lake might actually have formed as a result of the Red Planet’s famously dusty atmosphere, an analysis of the mound’s features suggests.” Quoted from the Princeton University press release.

Exxon Mobil has an animation that compares the surface footprint of various energy production methods: wind, coal mining, nuclear power and unconventional gas.

Wind currently accounts for about 3.5% of the U.S. electric power generating capacity with some experts predicting that 20% is a likely goal. NPR investigates if there will be enough wind to go around?

A new report reveals that generating electricity from wind in Australia costs much less than generating by natural gas or coal. This means that Australia might have even more coal and natural gas for export.

“In a clever reuse of hardware originally built to test parts of NASA’s QuikScat satellite, the agency will launch the ISS-RapidScat instrument to the International Space Station in 2014 to measure ocean surface wind speed and direction.” Quoted from the NASA press release.

In the past few years the primary production of natural gas, crude oil, natural gas liquids, wind energy, biomass and other renewables are rising.

The SWITCH project has an enormous collection of energy videos on a wide variety of topics. Check them out here.

In the video below, Dr. Steve Koonin, U.S. Undersecretary of Energy discusses the reasons why the pace of making energy change can be very slow.

Researchers at Stanford University’s School of Engineering and the University of Delaware [...] show that not only is there plenty of wind over land and near to shore to provide half the world’s power, but there is enough to exceed total demand by several times.

An article on the FuelFix.com website explores the difference between energy independence and energy security. The argument is made that energy security is more important.

Fossil fuels play an enormous role in Australia’s economy. However, their roles will change significantly with new carbon taxes and a goal of cutting emissions to 80% below 2000 levels by 2050.

The Ohio Board of Regents has a new website to help jobseekers connect with the energy industry. In addition to oil and gas jobs there is a focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced technologies.

Taking a rare course of action, President Obama has blocked a Chinese company from building a wind farm near a U.S. Navy test site in Oregon.

The amount of energy being produced from renewable sources in the United States is rising rapidly; however, it still meets less than 10% of our energy consumption.

“A new analysis by Stanford researchers reveals that there is enough offshore wind along the U.S. East Coast to meet the electricity demands of at least one-third of the country.” Quoted from the Stanford University press release.

Natural gas and wind are making important contributions to new electricity generating capacity in the United States.

“Wind power has the potential to become a viable, cost-effective source of energy in Arizona. Consistent winds in Northern Arizona make the Colorado Plateau a candidate for development of this low-carbon, renewable energy source.” Quoted from the Arizona Experience website.

The Energy Information Administration has published a graph of projected renewable power generation by source. Wind continues to have the highest rate of growth and production level. (see page 75 of the Annual Energy Outlook 2012)

North Dakota has rapidly growing energy production in oil, natural gas, wind, ethanol and other renewable sources. Parts of the state’s energy policy are being held up as models for the federal government.

Instead of a windmill turning in the wind imagine a field of “stalks” that sway back and forth generating electricity. That’s the concept proposed for a new wind farm near Abu Dhabi.

A total of $168 billion is expected to be invested on offshore wind farms in the North Sea. Oil is being depleted there and energy companies are changing their focus to wind.

Data from NASA satellites was used to determine that local weather changed after wind farms were built in Texas.

“Non-hydroelectric renewable generation has increased in many states over the past decade. In 2011, Maine had the highest percentage of non-hydroelectric renewable generation, at 27% of total in-state generation, up from 20% in 2001 (see maps). South Dakota and Iowa followed, with 21% and 17%, respectively, in 2011, up from 1% and less than one percent in 2001. Wind is the largest driver of this increase across all states.” Quoted from the Energy Information Administration press release.

“Surface wind data comes from the National Digital Forecast Database. These are near-term forecasts, revised once per hour. So what you’re seeing is a living portrait.” Quoted from the Wind Map Project.

“Generation from wind turbines in the United States increased 27% in 2011 compared to 2010, continuing a trend of rapid growth. During the past five years capacity additions of wind turbines were the main driver of the growth in wind power output. As the amount of wind generation increases, electric power system operators have faced challenges with integrating increasing amounts of this intermittent generation source into their systems.” Quoted from the Energy Information Administration press release.

T. Boone Pickens says that he is for American energy and makes a pitch for energy independence.

The Energy Information Administration forecasts that United States non-hydro renewable power generation growth over the next 25 years will be led by gains in wind and biomass.

An article on the Bloomberg.com website explores how the United States is starting to approach energy self-sufficiency with rising oil output, developing shale gas fields and growth in renewable sources.

The U.S. Geological Survey had a very busy 2011. This article shows a few of their top stories for the year.

“Today, for the most part, higher education for students interested in energy lacks the cross-disciplinary curriculum that they critically need, and so we propose the adoption of energy departments on college campuses, departments that would tie seemingly disconnected fields of the sector together.” Quoted from the article.

“U.S. communities routinely use zoning laws to control where businesses may operate in a neighborhood. Now there’s a move to zone the ocean. A number of coastal states and the federal government have fledgling plans to coordinate competing uses for their off-shore waters.” Quoted from Voice of America.