Harvard University researchers examining global wind resources have determined that a super-connected network of 2.5 MW wind turbines could meet global electricity demands - even if they were operating at one-fifth capacity. The bulk of the power needs could be supplied by land-based wind turbines with additional offshore larger turbines providing the rest.
Their report, Global Potential for Wind Generated Electricity contends that the U.S. can obtain more than 16 times the energy it now consumes from an array of wind turbines, while China could see an 18-fold increase compared to 2005 consumption. (Source: Boston Globe, June 23, 2009)
Contact: Michael McElroy, Gilbert Butler Professor of Environmental Studies, Harvard University, (617) 495-2351, [email protected], Global potential for wind generated electricity details