Energy from oil is so 1986. Green energy is all the rage now, and wind has a lot of potential to meet our planet's energy demand. A comprehensive study completed by Stanford University researchers found that power generated from land-based and offshore wind is equivalent to 54,000 million tons of oil per year -- five times the world's total energy use. Unfortunately, the world currently gets less than 2 percent of its electricity from wind. So what will it take to beef up wind power and reduce our reliance on oil?
- IM Interview: The Potential of Offshore Wind
Tracy Staedter chats with Jeremy Firestone, an expert in wind power and climate change policy about the potential of offshore wind power.
- Podcast: Wind Power for Antarctic Research Station
The Belgian research facility, Princess Elisabeth station, located in East Antarctica is designed to be the first zero emission research station. Hear how wind is playing a role.
- News: Smart Wind Turbines to Switch Shapes
Scientists from Purdue University are creating intelligent wind turbines that shape-shift with the wind. These smart wind turbines would help maximize the amount of electricity generated by wind power while ensuring longer life spans for wind turbines.
- Blog: Street Lights That Blow
Windela, a renewable energy products company based in Paris, France, has invented an off-grid street light powered by a combination of solar and wind power.
- Puzzle: Wind Turbine Breakdown
Get an up-close, inside view of wind turbine technology, from cogs to blades to towers.
- News: Wind Power
Today's wind turbine is more than just a large propeller. Researchers are using dozen of different designs and tapping into wind farms as the power plants of the future. Read how it's helping people all over the world.
- Feature: Europe Replaces Old Wind Farms
The construction crane hauling wind turbines at the 20-year-old Norreaer Enge wind farm in northern Jutland, Denmark, is performing a highly energetic sleight of hand. By next summer it will have transformed a 77-turbine facility into one with just 13.
- Video: Oceanic Wind Turbines
This array of wind-powered generators has the potential to power over 100,000 homes.
- My Take: Community Power Empowers
The United States has a long tradition of democracy and citizens rights. Why shouldn't folks be able to build wind turbines, produce electricity for the power grid and generate income? Stefan Gsänger gives us his take on the benefits of decentralized energy.
- Project Earth: Infinite Winds
Can a wind turbine using the constant winds that exist above sea level convert energy into electricity? Get the details on the science behind wind power from Project Earth.
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