Lowri Collins’ Post

Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy released a plan to get big electric transmission lines built in 10 strategic parts of the country. Which may sound a bit dull and technical—but the slow pace of power line construction has become perhaps the biggest roadblock to running the U.S. on 100% clean electricity. If the new plan becomes reality, the country could much more quickly build the infrastructure to bring abundant wind power from Kansas to the east, enable New York City and the surrounding area to take advantage of major offshore wind farms, and much more. Canary Media Inc. has some good reporting on the new plan, meant to unlock both large federal loans and a fast-track for approving transmission lines with the federal government, instead of with overlapping sets of state and local regulators. (See their story here: https://lnkd.in/dTyk5wZm) But for some useful background on why transmission has been such a challenge, and why clean energy advocates are looking specifically at the long waits to get new power lines approved, it might be helpful to check out our podcast episode, "Why does it take five years to build a wind farm?" featuring Dr. John Parsons of MIT Sloan School of Management and the MIT - Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research. "The construction [of a wind farm] takes about 18 months," Dr. Parsons told us. "But before those 18 months are several years of getting your permits, developing your relationships with the region, and so on. For wind farms, I'd say you're talking minimum five years... Transmission lines are another order of magnitude. I mean, it can be for some transmission lines decades." And this long process of approving new power lines takes place in an environment where we're trying to add huge amounts of new wind and solar electricity, many from power stations where wind and sun is abundant but the electricity must travel a very long way to reach the cities and population centers that need new clean energy the most. #cleanenergy #renewableenergy #transmission #permitting #climatechange https://lnkd.in/eHZnpWGu

For centuries, windmills have been a practical tool on farms, pumping water and grinding grain. Today, wind power is finding new purpose as homeowners seek energy independence. With the Inflation Reduction Act offering a 30% tax credit for residential wind projects, innovative companies are reimagining what's possible for home-scale turbines. My latest for The Wall Street Journal.

Wind power is on the rise. However, with assets being large and sometimes unreachable and any downtime being costly, how do you keep things running smoothly? Learn more here; https://lnkd.in/efD-NrVS #SKF #RWERenewables #SKFsustainablesolutions #SKFEvolution #windpower

Wind farms have so many benefits, but regular maintenance is vital. We’ve listed some of the risks that wind farms face to help your customers keep the blades turning: https://ow.ly/OQj030sAq1o #WindEnergy

wonder what the energy to process blades for reuse/recycling does re: wind generator lifecycle energy accounting; & if energy is from non-renewable sources? https://lnkd.in/eu6c49dN

In an era where climate unpredictability can pose significant challenges to wind energy production, it's crucial to have robust solutions that protect producers, lenders, and stakeholders. Our parametric wind yield insurance is designed to mitigate the risks associated with low wind conditions, providing a safety net that stabilizes revenue streams and secures investments. Download our product sheet today to explore how Descartes supports the green energy transition through financial resilience for the wind energy industry: https://lnkd.in/gByTXuAM .

https://lnkd.in/gcGCKiaN Discover exactly how you can be a component of the green energy change in the UK by installing a home wind generator. In this post, we delve into the advantages of using wind power in your very own yard, including monetary rewards and the positive ecological influence. Discover exactly how to select the best wind generator for your home and simplify the setup process. Additionally, we give maintenance suggestions to guarantee long-term power cost savings. Join us as we discover the world of home wind generator installment and its prospective to transform exactly how we power our homes sustainably.

Comprehensive summary of Germany’s misadventure with wind and solar. There are lessons to be learned here.

The nation is facing a deepening energy crisis on two fronts, with Victoria’s main gas storage plant set to run out by the end of winter as wind farm output slumps to a five-year low: https://bit.ly/4eA2wYa

To reach zero carbon by 2040 in Minnesota -- a goal many places in the U.S. have -- the electricity grid needs to be extended to take on wind and solar energy. That's expensive work. Here's one of the first big projects in Minnesota.