WINDPOWER 2011 highlights industry trends, job creation

RenewableEnergyWorld.com
May 23, 2011

As thousands of wind industry members converged on the city of Anaheim, Calif., for the world's largest annual wind energy event, the WINDPOWER 2011 Conference & Exhibition immediately turned into a hub for the discussion of industry trends and new developments.

With General Session speeches still ahead from CNN Founder Ted Turner, from 8:30 to 10 am today, and other industry visionaries, following are some of the industry’s hot topics bubbling up in Anaheim—from session presentations to chatter on the tradeshow floor.

In addition to electrons, wind power generates jobs and economic development

Wind power’s vast supply chain, which produces the 8,000 components making up a typical wind turbine, continues to grow deeper roots here in the U.S. Today the industry employs 75,000 people, and over 400 wind-related manufacturing plants dot the map in 43 states, from California where the industry began 30 years ago, through the Midwest which now leads wind development, to the Southeast even though its first wind farm is still on the drawing board.

In 2010 the industry reached 50 percent domestic content for U.S.-deployed turbines, and that percentage will continue to rise with stable policy signals. Fourteen more manufacturing facilities came online in 2010 to serve the industry. In addition, wind farms provide lease payments to landowners – $3,000 a year per turbine is typical – providing America’s farmers and ranchers with a stable new cash crop, as well as adding tax revenue to local communities, allowing them to build hospitals, schools, town halls, and libraries.

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