A Reliable Alternative: Wind Power
With the pursuit of renewable energy on the rise around the world, many countries have put forth an investment. Among the most popular, and reliable, is wind energy. With its growing popularity in the U.S., wind power could eventually be the leading power provider in the country.
A Brief History of Wind Power
Wind power dates back as early as 5000 B.C., as the Egyptians used the power of wind to propel their boats down the Nile River which is 4,258 miles long. Fast forward to present day, where wind energy is harnessed by wind turbines that utilize giant propeller blades and are pushed by the wind. In turn, the movement from the blades powers an electric generator located at the base of the turbine, where the electric current is produced and stored.
Wind Power Statistics
Wind turbines have earned more than $100 billion in private investments in the U.S. since 2008. Wind energy has avoided an estimate of 159 million metric tons of CO2 – which is the equivalent of reducing power sector CO2 emissions by around 9%, which equals 33.7 million cars’ worth of carbon emissions. Point Energy offers analysis, financing, and structuring solutions for companies interested in exploring this renewable energy source.
Germany is currently the world leader in wind power capacity, generating 22,247 megawatts, which accounts for 24% of the world total. While Germany is the world’s leader in power generated, the U.S. is leading in the installations for the third year in a row producing, 5,244 megawatts of wind capacity added. In fact, there is a new turbine added to the U.S. every couple of hours. In 2016, 5.6 percent of all electricity produced in the U.S. was a result of wind energy. That number is sure to be on the rise with more turbines added every day.
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