Wallstrip's Julie Alexandria Talks Wind Power (VIDEO)

Wallstrip's Julie Alexandria takes a look at investing in wind power, the people behind it all -- including T. Boone Pickens -- and the challenges it faces coming up.

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Comments

[UltraClassic]

04:53 PM on 09/23/2008

Of course Picken supports it. He wants government money in it so he can make money. A chicken in every pot. 40 acres and a mule. A windmill on every house still will not make a dent in energy consumbtio­n but it sure will kill a lot of birds.

[Triangle1]

12:20 AM on 09/21/2008

So what are we waiting for people? Let's get this show on the road. If we're waiting for direction from above to "legislate­" things, we'll be waiting forEVER. We might lose a few flyby birds to the windmill, but that's the only huge downfall. I've driven by the wind farms along the highway near Palm Springs, CA. I wouldn't call it an eyesoar. It's more of a "that is SOOOO cool!" http://mes­pace.wordp­ress.com

[Tom95134]

12:37 AM on 09/20/2008

The biggest challenge is that wind and solar power can't always be generated close to areas where maximum demand occurs and nobody is addressing the antiquated electrical distributi­on grid in the United States. Europe understand and they are in the process of designing a new ultra-high voltage DC distributi­on system to meet future needs. Meanwhile, we just set on our hands.

[noneIn2008]

12:33 PM on 09/20/2008

T.Boon got Texas to give him a $4.8 billion starter grid for his wind. Good return on his $100 million advertisin­g.

[Matt51]

04:45 PM on 09/21/2008

In reality wind energy can be generated anywhere in the US. And we do not need a grip upgrade. If we enact Feed-in Tariffs (see Wikipedia) then we can have wind. Feed in tariffs are not a tax, they are a requiremen­t the utility purchase your excess wind energy. Yes, your excess electricit­y. If you purchase a 5kW machine for your home, it might cover just your electric needs. But for slightly more money, you could buy a 20 or 30 kW wind turbine. Now you sell the excess to the grid. This is happening in Germany, particular­ly with solar, but also with wind. China just passed Feed-in Tariffs. Not only can a 20-30 kW machine pay for your electricit­y, it can make your mortgage payment. For areas of stronger wind, you have a standard blade length. For areas with weaker wind, you need slightly longer blades and a gear ratio change, and maybe a taller tower.
There are myths about wind energy. That only large wind turbines are economical­, and they can only be located in certain parts of the country, can and will be proven false.

[Matt51]

05:39 PM on 09/21/2008

Germany has poor wind away from their North Sea coast, but they still have installed wind turbines across the country. Most of the wind energy at higher wind speeds is unusable anyway, without overloadin­g the generator, so typically only wind energy below 10 m/s is fully utilized, only a tiny portion of wind energy at higher speeds can be used.

[noneIn2008]

10:37 PM on 09/19/2008

Not near my yacht.

[rwe]

05:11 PM on 09/19/2008

biggest challenge is when elitist libs don't want in their back yards like Kennedy and Kerry...

[SeaBoatbuilder]

12:23 PM on 09/20/2008

I didn't get Rush's email today for some reason. I thought Libs were supposed to elitists on Tues/Thurs­/Sat, welfare chiselers on Mon/Wed/Fr­i, and Godless Commies on Sunday.

[InofTouch]

05:06 PM on 09/21/2008

apprently the daily show comment on this