World wind power
The resources of alternative energy are almost endless.
The evaluation of the global potential of renewable energy on the surface of the Earth (Tera-Watts):
| RESOURCE |
Evaluated as renewable |
AMOUNT |
| Sun |
1000 TWatt |
90 000 TWatt |
| Wind |
10 TWatt |
1200 TWatt |
| Waves |
0,5 TWatt |
3 TWatt |
| Ebb and flow |
0,1 TWatt |
30 TWatt |
| Geothermal flows |
- |
30 TWatt |
| Biomass |
- |
450 TWatt/year |
| Geothermal heat |
> 50 TWatt |
10-11 TWatt/year |
| Kinetic energy of atmosphere and ocean currents |
- |
- |
Among the renewable power sources the Wind Power is special. According to the evaluation of Pacific Northwest Laboratory (USA), the area where the average annual wind speed on 8-10 meters height exceeds 5.1 m/sec, is about 25% of the Earth surface.
By 2020, taking into account economic, technical, ecological and other limitations, it would be possible to install Wind Stations on total power 450 millions kW, with annual productivity 900 billion kW-hours/year. It will represent 3.5% of total energy produced in the World.
Developed countries with valuable wind potential and advanced industry, develop and realize the state programs of Wind Power development. The state or federal assistance is considerable. As a rule the Governmental assistance helps to commercialize this sector of industry.
Dynamic of development of Wind Power for the past years (MWatts):
|
COUNTRY |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
|
Germany |
14609 |
16628 |
18427 |
|
Spain |
6202 |
8263 |
10027 |
|
USA |
6370 |
6740 |
9149 |
|
India |
2110 |
2985 |
4430 |
|
China |
567 |
764 |
1260 |
|
Japan |
506 |
896 |
1040 |
|
France |
248 |
386 |
757 |
|
Norway |
100 |
276 |
276 |
|
Russia |
10 |
10,8 |
14 |
|
Europe |
28 730 |
34 616 |
40932 |
|
WORLD |
39 293 |
47 616 |
58 981 |
The idea of substitution of carbonic fuel on the renewable power sources becomes more and more prevalent.
In Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Canada the part of renewable power exceeds 25%. In Poland the industry should provide by renewable power 2.4% of total energy balance, and by 2010 up to 7.5%.
According to the US Department of Energy the United States will double the 1995 level of the installed Wind Power, with the reduction of the cost up to 2-3 cents/W-hour.
The Program of Ministry of research and technology of Germany was planning to install Wind Power in the amounts: 1997 – 1500 MWatt, 2000 – 2000 MWatt, 2010 – 6000 MWatt. This program exceeds.
In Denmark the Wind Power part is 3.5% of all energy consumption of the country.
In Netherlands by 2010 total Wind Power will should reach 2000 MWatt, in Finland in 5-10 years 200 MWatt, in Austria - 100, in India - 4000, in Spain - 80, in Brasilia - 120 MWatt.
Russia, Poland, Ukraine and Czechia in 2000 bring up the rear of 37 countries which use Wind Power.