Sustainability

Wind energy

Lately electric power production from the wind has developed considerably. In 2007 worldwide wind power installations have increased from 74,000 to 94,000 MW: 57,000 are produced in European plants alone particularly in Germany which, with an output of 22,000 MW takes first place in worldwide aeolian power production. Aeolian power, like solar energy, is an intermittent source that varies from day to day and depending on the season. More than very strong winds, it is necessary to have a constant wind blowing at the ideal speed of 7 mps. Scientists have estimated that places where winds blow at an average yearly speed above 7 mps have an aeolian potential of 70 TW. This is a huge potential that would help promote the transition towards renewable energy sources. One of the obstacles we must overcome in order to increase aeolian energy production is the upgrading of the energy distribution network. Present day electricity networks were created to deliver a limited flow coming from just a few very large plants, and they are not ready to transmit intermittent energy flows such as those coming from numerous aeolian plants spread all over the territory. Therefore the electricity network must be updated in order to be adequate for new energy distribution. The intermittence problem can be improved with more dependable weather forecasts and with an increase in production sites. A project has been drawn up to create an aeolian network to link offshore plants in the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean and as far as the western Mediterranean Sea.