What is Wind Energy?Wind energy is typically harnessed by three-bladed turbines. The blades rotate a shaft, ultimately spinning in a coil to generate electricity. A common misconception is that wind turbines and wind mills have equivalent definitions. Wind mills are used to grind grain. The most modern versions that we think of are wind turbines that harness wind power to generate electricity.
Where is the Wind Industry heading?As of 2017, wind energy can now tout that it holds the largest capacity of renewable electricity supply in the United States, overtaking hydropower. It is also the fourth largest supply of electrical capacity overall in the U.S. and supports over 100,000 people in the workforce. The cost of wind generated electricity has not just reach grid parity in many parts of this country, it is in many cases the cheapest way to generate electricity. As the best sites are generally developed first (lowest hanging fruit) in this industry, similar to many others, the technology has kept up with this increasing challenge. Improvements in materials, wind resource assessment techniques, siting strategies, logistics and construction methods have allowed for longer blades, taller towers, better energy predictions and more sophisticated controls, all at costs which bring down the overall cost of energy. Thus, the industry is ever evolving and it is certainly not just in the U.S., it is global. There is a need for people who both understand the past but can also think forward to the future. Are you up for the challenge?" Relevant Undergraduate Coursework:Graduate Masters / Certificate Options:Graduate Coursework: |
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