Wind Power Technologies

Wind energy uses the energy in the wind for practical purposes like generating electricity, charging batteries, pumping water, or grinding grain. Large, modern wind turbines operate together in wind farms to produce electricity for utilities. Small turbines are used by homeowners and remote villages to help meet energy needs.

Economics of Wind Power

The cost of energy from the wind has dropped by 85% during the last 20 years. Incentives like the federal production tax credit and net metering provisions available in some areas improve the economics of wind energy. The rate the utility pays to purchase wind-generated electricity, called the buy-back rate, often determines the economic feasibility of a project. Wind energy is often attractive when life-cycle costs are compared with other generation technologies. With utility deregulation, wind energy may be impacted by added costs for ancillary services, the support services needed to generate and deliver electricity.