Expanding Wind Power for the Eastern U.S.

In this article in the New York Times says that within the next 15 years, wind power in the Eastern United States could replace coal and natural gas use 20 to 30 percent. There are many obstacles that get in the way of this project. It requires a reorganization of the power grid, locations to put in the windmills, and quite a hefty price of over $93 billion.

Another problem posed is that wind is intermittent, and in some locations, putting in windmills would create power, but when there is no wind, there is a need for backup power. With the current power grid, excess energy created by wind is wasted. The grid needs improvement so in these areas, the normally wasted wind can be stored for non windy days. As time goes by though, this waste of power would become less problematic as grid continue to get better and able to receive excess amounts of power.

The article also mentions that the creation of so many windmills would help decrease global warming by reducing emissions by about 4.5 percent. This sounds good if you believe in the whole "global warming" craze. In the end run, you have to look at the cost/benefit ratio for windmills. As it is right now, windmills produce a modest amount of energy, but considering the cost of one windmill, a single windmill has to be in service for many years before it makes up for it's initial costs. In the current economy, I think the eastern United States and the Energy Department should be looking for another alternative source of energy that is cheaper and in the long run maybe more cost beneficial in the long run.