“The surface temperature measured around wind farms in west-central Texas showed a warming of 0.72 ° C over the last decade compared to neighboring regions, no wind, an effect most likely caused by turbulence blades of the turbines at night acting like fans drawing hot air from high altitudes down, “said Somnath Baidya Roy Professor, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and co-author of the study.

The results were published in the journal Nature Climate Change April 29. Professor Zhou and his colleagues studied data from terrestrial ground temperatures ranging from 2003 to 2011, from scientific observation instruments (MODIS – imaging spectrometer for medium resolution) coupled to an embedded system of satellite NASA Terra and Aqua.

Over large areas, the ground temperature is highly dependent on the type of land cover and the nature of the surface. In some places, the ground temperature varies widely during the day and at night when the air temperature does in a smaller proportion.

The warming observed by MODIS took place mostly at night. In the study area in Texas, the ground temperature after sunset usually cools faster than the air temperature. But as the wind continues to turn, brings the movement of warmer air and ground and created a warming effect compared to agricultural areas not equipped with wind turbines. The researchers expected to see the opposite effect during the day – a slight cooling effect – but the data showed instead a slight warming, or a small effect on the day.

“Estimating the warming is specific to this region, and covers a period where wind farms were booming,” said the lead author of the study, Liming Zhou of the University at Albany. “The estimate should not be considered directly applicable to other regions and landscapes, it should not be extrapolated over a longer period of time, where warming was likely to reach a plateau rather than continue to increase especially if no new wind turbine was added. warming is also considered a local effect, and would not affect the climate on a larger scale…”

“This is a first step in exploring the potential of satellite data to quantify the potential impacts of large wind farms on weather and climate,” said Chris Thorncroft, co-author of the study and Chairman of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences and Environment at the University of Albany. “We are now expanding this approach with other wind farms and we design models to try to understand the physical processes and mechanisms leading to interactions between the wind and the atmospheric layer near the ground.”

In late 2011, the U.S. wind industry has installed wind capacity of 47,000 megawatts overall close, representing over 20% of global capacity and about 2.9% of all the power of the United States. And just in the last 4 years, the installed wind power capacity increased by over 35%, according to figures provided by the American Association of Wind Energy and the Department of Energy.

“Wind energy will be a part of the solution to climate change, pollution of air and energy security issues,” said Somnath Baidya Roy Pr. “Understanding the impacts of wind farms are essential to developing effective adaptation and strategic management to ensure long term viability of wind energy.”

Unlike wells, water is always present in the air. For Eole Water, the only constraint was to design a reliable technology that can create and collect water. In the end, the wind WMS1000 was designed to produce water without any external energy source and is capable of producing on daily basis up to 1,200 liters of fresh water in a humid climate.

“The wind is its only engine. Thanks to its installed capacity of 30kW and using air as a source of water, wind WMS1000 is ideally suited to supply remote areas completely devoid of infrastructure. There’s no release of CO2, not pumping of groundwater or surface water sources. The environmental impact is practically nil”, Eole Water indicated in its publications.

To demonstrate the effectiveness of its technology in difficult weather conditions, Eole Water carries out tests on drinking water production at Mussafah near Abu Dhabi in the UAE since November 2011. This testing phase is the first step before the permanent implantation of the mast which is expected before June 2012.

According Eole water, the wind WMS1000 has already been able to collect up to 62 liters of water per hour with an average humidity of 45% and an average temperature of 24°C.

In addition, samples were taken to test the potability of water. “The results confirmed a much higher level of quality to potable standards required by the World Health Organization” said the French firm.

This figure allows after Vestas generate enough renewable energy to power 9 million European households, or to avoid the annual emission of 55 million tonnes of CO2.

The threshold of 50 GW was in the first quarter 2012, with completion of the project Knäred, a wind farm in the municipality of Laholm in southern Sweden. Knäred is a project of 10 turbines V90-2.0 MW initiated by the German energy group E.ON, which will provide enough power for approximately 10,000 Swedish households.

“Renewable energy is a cornerstone of the business strategy of E.ON,” said Mark Porter, the Director for Northern Europe of E.ON Onshore. “We have invested over $ 7 billion in renewable energy over the last five years we will invest a further €7 billion over the next five years. Knäred is an excellent example of our focus on wind farms onshore high quality “.

From the late 1970s, when Vestas began producing wind turbines, wind energy has begun to be seen as an alternative energy source to power a dominant and become part of modern energy mix.

The manufacture of wind turbines has increased significantly along with technological innovations have resulted in increased productivity and reliability. Wind power has gradually become increasingly competitive with fossil fuels as the entire industry is working to lower energy costs for customers.

Driven by innovation Ditlev Engel, CEO of Vestas , said the 50 GW clearly demonstrate the ability and maturity of the wind industry. “When the wind industry began thirty years ago, nobody could have predicted the enormous speed of technological advances that led to the growth of Vestas and the wind industry as a whole,” he has said.

“The wind industry now provides a sustainable energy source, reliable and competitive for millions of people around the world. At Vestas, we are proud to have been an industry pioneer, and have put, for thirty years, his knowledge, experience and passion to reach 50GW installed, that make a real difference to our planet and its people “concluded Ditlev Engel.

EDF Energies Nouvelles has also announced the creation of a local subsidiary, EDF EN Morocco, which will drive the Group’s development in Morocco.

Located in northern Morocco, east of Fez, Taza the wind project will be equipped with Alstom’s 50 turbines, each with an output of 3 MW. EDF Energies Nouvelles, Mitsui and Alstom will allocate at least 30% of construction work to subcontractors Moroccan.

The new 150 MW project, launched by the NEB in May 2011 as part of a public-private partnership, will be followed in 2012 by a tendering process involving additional 850 MW of which the procedure pre- qualification is in progress. With the desire to develop conditions of sun and wind very favorable, the Moroccan authorities intend to achieve by 2020 a program of at least 2 GW of wind and 2 GW of solar power.

EDF Energies Nouvelles also opens a subsidiary in Casablanca, Morocco EDF EN, 100% owned by the Group, to spearhead the development of wind and solar activities in the country, in collaboration with the Moroccan authorities and local businesses. EDF EN Morocco and Mitsui will lead the design, financing, development and construction of the wind project Taza. Both companies also provide operations and maintenance of the wind farm as part of an agreement for a period of 20 years.

“We are very pleased to have the chance to achieve this high quality wind project, which will represent the first realization of EDF Energies Nouvelles in Morocco. This demonstrates the capacity of EDF EN in developing local solutions and tailored to meet the needs of public authorities in the field of green electricity generation and industrial integration,” said Fabienne Demol, New Business Director at EDF Energy News. “The decision of the ONE for the wind project Taza is a great opportunity for EDF EN to establish a long term partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco and participate in the implementation of renewable projects in a country with high potential of development.”

Usually made of resin and fiberglass, coatings of the blades are subject to different types of abuse, erosion and fouling over time may cause undesired operation. Thus, the simple clogging of the blade by the crushing of insects in a few days can cause loss of power.

Taking the example of a 2 MW turbine, 100-meter high, Cauneau Francis, professor of fluid mechanics at the CEP – MINES ParisTech describes the following phenomenon:

“We realized fairly recently that the fouling of the leading edges of the blades of these turbines by insects on an installed wind field when it turns on a beautiful summer evening will pick up a considerable number of insects . So one might say that the impact is aesthetic, in a pinch. But, in fact, not at all. We realized that the impact in terms of lost production was the about 20%, 30% or even 40% in the worst case. This means that the economic and industrial issues are significant in controlling the impact of the roughness of the surface condition of these machines. ”

It is therefore necessary to develop tools to appraise the limits of acceptable change for the aging process, and to assess the expected benefits for the proposed remedies: repair coatings, cleaning, installation of appendices. .. This is what the group Observation, Modeling and Decision Processes Center of Energy and Mines ParisTech in collaboration with many players in the industry. This modeling work going on both through the development of virtual wind tunnels, the experiment in situ.

This research partnership takes the form of a research project conducted in close collaboration with industry, and ceases when it acquired the desired feedback with the help of the researcher. The works are then reinvested in industrial property in the partner. The CEP also contributes to the discovery of breakthrough technologies that will develop the new generation of machines.

Corpoelec, Socialist Utility continues with the transfer of new equipment for the wind farm “La Guajira” currently being built in the municipality Guajira, the state of Zulia.

This time they are moving the towers that will support the turbines and blades or vanes. The logistics of moving covers a route from the headquarters located at Av Bolipuertos 2 The Miracle, to where the work takes place.

The Deputy Commissioner Generation Alternative Sources of Corpoelec, Francisco Quintero, said: “These towers are about 26 meters long by 4 meters in diameter and to assemble a complete tower is necessary to assemble three flights of this type, which reach a height of 77 meters from the floor to where you installed the generator, so that you can harness the power of wind to move a generator of 2.1 megawatts (MW).”

“Remember that this important work reaches an investment of $225 million, of which 61.5 million will be used to develop the first 25.2 MW in Phase 1-A with the installation of 12 wind turbines of 2.1 MW each; while Phase 1-B will generate 50.4 MW 75.6 MW to complete a “Quintero explained, adding that” This project will be developed in 6 stages made ​​up of 36 wind turbines, an investment that will achieve the national government produce its first results, Energy enough to supply more than 12 000 families in La Guajira.”

He disclosed that currently build the piles that will support foundations or concrete footings that will support the weight of these towers of wind generation. “Before assembling and installing each tower, are needed to build 16 concrete piles and steel bars for each, which are buried 23 meters deep to ensure the strength of each of these computers weigh about 110 tons (including the tower, nacelle – wind – and bats). Then built on these piles, concrete foundations as a basis to set the rings on the towers and get them the rest of the equipment, ie, generator and blades, “explained the Deputy Commissioner.

Quintero said the acquisition of these devices are also framed in the Convention Argentina – Venezuela, confirming the implementation of development works to strengthen the National Electricity Sector to continue strengthening the electricity sector, driven by President Hugo Chavez Frias.

Also, the spokesman said that the work aims to develop 10,000 MW in the area of the Upper Guajira from Caño Sagua and Cano Paijana. “We are starting the first stage are the 75.6 MW that would form Phase 1 of the project whose main benefit is the generation of renewable electricity.”

Thus, the Ministry of Popular Power for Electricity (Mppee) and Corpoelec, Utility Socialist take action to strengthen the national power grid through the consolidation of alternative energy projects.

The Minister of Production of La Pampa, Abelardo Ferran, said that “the incorporation of the 25 mills would increase interconnected system of our province to 50 megawatts.”

“The establishment of these turbines would be extremely important and environment friendly,” said Ferran.

He added that La Pampa implements a “strong program of industrialization, which requires substantial power as input and would benefit from the initiative.”

Ferran presented the project with the director of the Provincial Administration of Energy (APE), Carlos Sanz, along with the project manager of the company ABOWind, Daniel Fernandez, and engineer Alexander Mountain.

Sanz said that “the project would conduct a major energy input to the interconnected system of La Pampa and is distributed in our region according to the needs of each locality.”

He also explained that “each turbine will double the power of the two existing wind farm owned by the Cooperative Utilities (Cosega), located near the town General Acha, 100 kilometers south of Santa Rosa.

Project development would be in charge of ABOWind company through national tenders that the company will ensure the purchase of energy for about 15 years.

The Provincial State contribution would have to do with network management and energy management to the user, would have an aggregate value that would toll in the province, “said the head of the APE.

For his part, Fernandez described as “very good” wind conditions in the area, “like a high wind resource areas like the south of our country and the province of Buenos Aires.”

In 2011, the global wind industry has installed over 41,000 MW of new turbines, a record. The total installed capacity always to worldwide amounted to over 238,000 MW by the end of last year. Currently about 75 countries around the world have wind turbines order business, including 22 already exceed the threshold of 1 GW.

In Canada, more specifically, the wind energy sector has experienced a record year in 2011 with the addition of a new wind power capacity of about 1,267 MW to the provincial networks, representing an investment of 3.1 billion dollars (CAD). Canada ended 2011 with a total of 5,265 MW of installed wind power, placing it 9th globally in total capacity. During this same period, new wind projects were built and operated in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

“In 2011, the wind industry in Canada has experienced a record year during which the 5000 MW mark was reached. Canada, particularly Ontario, began to be seen by international investors interested in the wind power as a destination offering a significant competitive advantage. Keep this reputation will require sustained commitment over ambitious targets for development of wind power and a political framework stable. Canada continues to renew its power resources, and wind energy will play an increasingly important in the production of reliable electricity, clean and economical, “said Robert Hornung, president of the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA).

At the current pace, the wind energy sector in Canada will easily exceed the threshold of 10,000 MW of installed capacity by 2015

It is expected that 2012 was another record year for development of wind energy in Canada with the anticipated introduction of new projects representing approximately 1,500 MW in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia Columbia, PEI, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

Since, according to forecasts, the growth should continue at a similar level over the next four years, the sector of wind energy in Canada should easily exceed the threshold of 10,000 MW of installed capacity by 2015. Consequently, Canada is on track to achieve the national target set by CanWEA in its document The wind power, or to ensure that wind energy fills 20% of the country’s electricity needs by 2025 .

According to the Swiss association for the promotion of wind power the consumption becomes significant in the cantons of Jura and Uri and even if the realization of brand new facilities temporarily stalled this should not last.

The significant increase in production in 2011 is due to strong growth in the number of plants in the previous year. This production is 70 million kWh of green electricity, twice in 2010, despite relatively low winds.

Switzerland now has 30 large wind turbines: “it is little compared with other countries, but in two cantons the share of wind in the overall consumption reaches or exceeds 1% now. This is the case in Uri, but especially in Jura, where the wind has covered 4% of needs. In the cantons of Bern and Valais, 0.5% of the electricity consumed was generated by wind”, says Suisse Eole.

After the development record of 2010, construction was stalled last year. Only two large wind turbines were commissioned. One that dominates Gries lake is the highest in Europe. With a capacity of 2.3 MW, it is located 2,465 meters above sea level. The other major wind turbine inaugurated in 2011, with an output of 0.95 MW, was mounted in November in Rengg bei Entlebuch, adjacent to another facility in operation for six years.

The slowdown in the construction shows that wind power still has to overcome in Switzerland. In addition, favorable sites abound. The new energy policy of the Confederation also assigns an important role in wind energy. Nevertheless, “the procedures are lengthy and projects can still be blocked by cascades of Appeal”.

Suisse Eole therefore requests that the public interest to wind energy is best addressed by policy and is enshrined in legislation.
The relevant committee of the National Council, the CESPE, recently made a step towards more flexibility in site selection because it would allow the installation of wind turbines in the forest under certain conditions and with the consent of the Council of States.

Also, the rules on deforestation should be loosened in favor of renewable energy. In principle, only the sites close to access roads and power lines should be considered. And they would also be subject to the same impact as other projects.

Overall, this brings the installed capacity to 93,957 MW, or 6.3% of the supply of electricity in the European Union. With 21.4% of new power capacity in 2011, the share of wind reached almost the same proportion as in 2010 (+ 9,648 MW).

“Despite the economic crisis in Europe, the wind industry has installed a solid foundation towards new capabilities,” said Justin Wilkes, director of regulatory affairs at the EWEA. “But to achieve the long-term goals of the EU, we still need strong growth in the coming years. It is important to send positive signals to investors throughout the European governments to maintain stable policies to support renewable energy and for the EU to continue to move towards the target of 30% renewable energy by 2030. ”

Development of onshore facilities in Germany and Sweden, as well as those carried off the UK (Offshore) offset the drop in facilities called mature markets such as France and Spain.

Overall, Germany is the EU country which has the largest installed wind capacity, followed by Spain, France, Italy and the UK.

EWEA says that Europe has installed more than 2011 renewable capacity than any other year. Renewable energy and represented 71.3% of new installations: 32,043 MW. Oil and nuclear energy have been contrary to a decrease last year, with more capacity divested.

In the European Union, the net installed capacity increased in 2011 from 35,468 MW to 895,878 MW, with a share of wind energy up 10.5%, while the share of renewable reached a rate of 31.1%.

See the full report EWEA 2011 (. PDF) >>> HERE

In Poland, the Pagow park will double the wind capacity of the Group, after the parks of Jarogniew-Moltowo (20 MW) and Wartkowo (30 MW) opened in 2011, and continue its development in renewable energy.

In Romania, the Gemenele wind farm will be commissioned in 2012. It marks the Group’s entry in electricity generation in Romania, and shows at the same time the Romanian potential in renewable energy.

“The development of wind projects of the Group in Romania and Poland demonstrates the will to further diversify the energy mix of GDF Suez and further integration in the growth markets by leveraging the best expertise and technical synergies of the Group” said Gerard Mestrallet, CEO of GDF Suez.

GDF Suez intends to strengthen renewables in its energy mix in Europe to achieve its goal of increasing renewable installed capacity of the Group of 50% by 2015 compared to 2009.

IMPSA won approval of a long-term financing of the Corporation Andina de Fomento (CAF) and the Bank for Investment and Foreign Trade (BICE) in favor of its subsidiary Wind Koluel Kayke SA for construction of a wind power generation located in the Province of Santa Cruz. The project called Koluel Kayke II, have a capacity of 25 MW and will have 12 wind turbine technology developed by IMPSA in the country.

The investment will amount to $US 81 million, of which $US 52 million will be provided by the CAF and the BICE together in a 10-year loan. IMPSA in turn provide capital for $US 29 million to complete the project financing.

The financing will be structured under a scheme of “Project Finance” pure, which combine investor capital funds and financial institutions. The repayment will come from cash flows from the sale of energy under contract ENARSA a 15-year term. The project has a strong insurance scheme, technological safeguards and additional guarantees on assets Kayke II Kolulel usual in such operations.

IMPSA has already completed the engineering, soil studies and planning has begun the work and the purchase of inputs and components to make the park begin to generate in 14 months.

This event contributes to the consolidation of the objectives of the Renewable Generation Program (Genre), driven by the Ministry of Planning through the Ministry of Energy and its executor ENARSA. The Program established the framework for clean energy development in Argentina. In this way, it contributes with the aim of Law 26,190, which is to ensure that 8% of national energy from renewable sources by 2016.

For the construction of their projects in Argentina, in the case of wind farms and, in particular, the wind turbines (windmills), IMPSA design uses its technology fully developed in Argentina Mendoza. Manufactured at the plant and through a network of SME companies Argentine Wind Cluster members, which is currently in action.

IMPSA, through its unit IMPSA Energy has become the biggest investor in wind power projects in Latin America now has 322 MW in operation in Brazil and has 600 MW in the same country with the purchase and sale of energy signed and under construction and financing, and another 65 MW in Uruguay in the final stages of financing.
Moreover, the company is facing an impending financial close for Malaspina Park I 50 MW in the province of Chubut and is moving in the financial structuring for parks Koluel Kayke I (Santa Cruz) and Malaspina II (Chubut) .

In addition IMPSA installed for the Province of La Rioja Arauco wind farm already in operation and has a capacity of 25 MW and is building for the same additional 25 MW plus 10 MW of wind power for the Province of Santiago del Estero and 180 MW to the Brazilian company of San Francisco Hydroelectric Company (Chesf) in Brazil.

A study released by the Energy Platform Studies Center for Labor and Agrarian Development (CEDLA) reveals that 97 percent of Bolivia’s territory is suitable for solar energy use, thanks to high solar radiation levels in large part of Bolivia.

“It can be concluded that the use of solar energy level throughout the country is possible, except for some areas that constitute less than 3 percent of national territory,” says the study “The role and impact energies socioeconomic renewable rural Bolivia. ”

Research carried out by Miguel Fernández Sources identified that the only space “impracticable” for the use of solar energy is the cloud-forming regions located in the eastern belts of the Cordillera de Los Andes, at the low rate of solar radiation.

The high values ​​of solar radiation in Bolivia, according to a study published in 2011, are due to the geographical position that has the land, which is located in the tropical South, between parallels 11 ° and 22 °. Therefore, the radiation rate between winter and summer season does not represent differences that exceed 25 percent.

The document notes that in the country, the average values ​​of solar radiation vary for the highland areas, valleys and plains. The areas of the plateau region showed the highest rate of radiation, which decreases towards the plain areas.

“In Bolivia, the highland regions and the valleys are a high rate of solar radiation between 5 and 6 kWh/m2d (kilowatt-hours per square meter per day), depending on the time of year. In the plains area average radiation rate is between 4.5 and 5 kWh/m2d. This energy is sufficient to provide daily 220 Wh / day of electricity through a 50 Wp PV panel, “the technical explanation.

The Spinning Spur Wind Project, located in Oldham County, west of Amarillo, Texas, is the first wind farm in Texas enXco. It has 70 turbines Siemens with a capacity of 2.3 MW.

The electricity produced will be sold to the U.S. company Southwestern Public Company, a 100% subsidiary of Xcel Energy, as part of a contract for sale of electricity (PPP) for a period of 15 years.

Construction should start in the first half for a start-up of the park in December 2012.

“The situation of the U.S. wind market and uncertainty about the renewal of tax credits (Production Tax Credit) in 2012 after creating partnership opportunities with major developers like Cielo Wind Power. This is especially a great opportunity for us to invest the Texas market as a producer of wind power,” said David Corchia, CEO of EDF Energies Nouvelles.

According to The National Load Dispatch Center (CNDC), renewable energy production in Nicaragua was 51.4% due to wind turbines for wind farms. Emilio Rappaccioli, Minister of Energy and Mines, said recently that one of the things that is helping the clean energy production rates to remain high is the productivity of wind energy, which is benefiting from the impact of the winds of time that register constant speeds.

Rappaccioli, who participated in the International Renewable Energy Fair, which was held in the city of Granada, noted that the official records of CNDC indicating a wind energy production capacity (63 megawatts), which has been combined with hydropower, geothermal and biomass, for a better balance of generation in the country’s energy matrix.

“According to CNDC, renewable energy production was 51.4% recently, and the thermal production of only 48.6%. This was due to wind production reached full capacity for almost 24 hours, encouraging energy supply. Also noteworthy is the production of biomass with the sugar, increased ability to San Jacinto Tizate with 36 megawatts already working in sustainable operationally reliable, “said the official.

Data recorded by the CNDC reflected that renewable plant production reached 229.9 megawatts of thermal power and recorded 270.1 megawatts, with demand in the afternoon of 500 megawatts in total.

The Energy Cabinet met this week to discuss the positives of the situation, which favors the electricity sector.

Rappacccioli said that in some way there is stability in the electricity sector, as production from renewable resources allows a favorable cost of generation, but did not specify that at the moment is to apply a rate reduction to energy, which suffered a increase of 9% this year, combined with the financial outlay of over U.S. $ 26 million as a subsidy to not affect business users with the measure.

Rappaccioli said that at present can not be said that this type of energy is maintained throughout the year, since the supply of wind and biomass plants low in the coming months.

“The wind decreases at some point, the sugar productivity down in June and July. The average renewable generation we have calculated for 2012 is at least 40 to 41% as Central American hydroelectric plants and will enter a maintenance phase this year,” said Carlos Fonseca .

Blue Wind Power will inject extra 40 megawatts

However, the Minister Rappaccioli said the first phase of expansion of San Jacinto Tizate obtained at least 40 to 42 megawatts, producing almost a thousand megawatt hours a day, covering 9% of total generation in the country.

He stressed that they expect by May this year, including the wind farm operations of Blue Power Energy, with 40 megawatts and 36 megawatts, geothermal, the second phase of expansion of San Jacinto Tizate, which will be of great weight in the national energy mix and contribute to more stable energy prices.

Wind turbines for wind farms already provide Catalans 4.2% of electricity consumption and prevent the emission of 4.2 million tons of CO2.

The first turbine wind farm Forques I-II (Tarragona), developed by Gamesa Energy, and  recently acquired by Fenosa Gas Natural Renewables, which has been sealed remarkable figure of 1,000 MW. However, the last to be launched this year have been the four turbines of the second phase of the wind farm’s Throat Coll (Priorat, Ribera d’Ebre), driven by EDP Renovaveis.

EolicCat president, Ramon Carbonell, described the landmark figure, but believes that wind power still has a long journey in Catalonia.

In fact, according to the Energy Plan 2006-2015 of the Government of the Generalitat, the roadmap for implementation is still in force wind, the target is 3,500 MW of installed wind power in Catalonia in 2015.

Catalonia has a total of 36 wind farms in operation that produce about 2,100 GWh annually, equivalent to 4.2% of electricity consumption of the Catalan community.

The electrical output of these wind farms in one year equals the annual electricity consumption of more than 640,000 Catalan homes (1.92 million people or whatever it is, a larger city than Barcelona).

Environmentally, this figure prevents the emission into the atmosphere of 2.1 million tons of CO2, the main greenhouse gas (if the same electricity was produced in coal power plants), the equivalent of removing 700,000 circulation cars for a year.

According to Spanish Wind Energy Association (AEE), Catalonia ranks eighth in the ranking of regions producing wind energy.

Scientists and agency experts predict an increase of one third of energy demand over the next 25 years, forcing nations to make investments to avoid shortages of basic resources and increase dangerous emissions that contribute to global warming.

“The time is running out, but you can still take action. If there is no investment and a global commitment to the environment binding, with the current infrastructure (factories, cars and gasoline-driven public transport), emissions of greenhouse gases that would be allowed through 2035 for the average global temperature does not rise above two degrees and avoid a global tragedy, will be exhausted in 2017,” they said.

For this a little bit cloudy future, and facing an energy crisis that is approaching inevitably, the United Nations (UN) declared 2012 as the year of green energy or sustainable.

It means that the wind, sun and heat that comes from the center of the earth to become the primary sources worldwide.

Today, only 19 percent of world energy is renewable. But according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it should meet 80 percent of global needs by 2050.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) said that the development of the renewable energy sector is inevitable, and it should play a role in sustainability.

The idea is that its use can multiply by 20. Here we meet two reasons: take advantage of those resources seem inexhaustible as the sun’s power, which may be exhausted within 5,000 years, and that humanity receives free, and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases today are produced by burning fossil fuels to heat homes, such as oil or coal.

In addition, optimal use of water, which, as in Colombia, is used to ignite the bulbs most major cities and through dams increasingly questioned because of its impact on ecosystems.

For Domingo Guinea, the National Research Council of Spain, the most urgent task to accomplish these objectives is that the energy and water are transformed into a public service and are increasingly a source of financial gain.

“At the moment it is no longer used only as a channel to generate profits, there will be a clear possibility of self-sufficiency in much of the planet.”

Guinea says sustainable energy used by our ancestors and the rather more common sense, no need to waste energy from fossil materials, such as electricity. “We’ve been rich and be rich and we continue to squander squandered everything we can.”

However, for the UN, things are going well. Today, China has overtaken the U.S. in renewable energy investments. American investors led the ranking until last year, when the Asian giant nearly doubled the amount spent on the construction of specialized facilities to produce clean energy versus $ 34,600 million to 18,600 million U.S., according to the NGO Pew Charitable Trusts.

This nation invests more in 148 percent renewable in 2005. Another country that stands out in its environmental awareness is Turkey, which invests 178 percent over five years ago. In Europe, meanwhile, more than 20,000 offshore wind farms under construction.

In Colombia there are efforts in wind energy in the Alta Guajira, where Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) launched the first wind farm, Jepirachi, with 15 wind turbines that provide 19.5 megawatts to the national grid. There is research to generate energy from biomass, and in this case, sugar cane bagasse in Santanderes, the Eastern Plains and the Atlantic coast. As with the waves, to produce 30 gigawatts by 3,000 kilometers of coastline.

Also detected the possibility of producing electricity with geothermal energy. This energy is pollution-free, but it costs two to three times more than normal and is limited to areas of tectonic activity. Geothermal Atlas of Colombia indicates that there are possibilities to have it from the Chiles volcano, Cerro Black and Azufral (Nariño) in Nevados National Park and the Geothermal Area Paipa-Iza (Boyaca).

Also in the Nevado del Ruiz. Studies by the University, this mountain is characterized by explosive eruptions periodically and have multiple layers of hardened lava (pyroclastic) and volcanic ash. The exploration phase will begin this year with the drilling of five wells with depths of 2 to 3 kilometers (each with an estimated cost of $ 5 million). If you check the existence of the resource, the production wells drilled and water reinjection at the end of 2013. The next step will be building a plant to generate electricity, which would be operated by Isagen, possibly from 2013.

These local efforts have led in recent years has increased investment in renewable ‘green’ all over the globe. Between 2004 and 2009, renewable energy capacity grew by 10 to 60 percent. And while in 2005 only 55 countries promoted in 2010 that number increased to 100.

According to the IEA, between now and 2035 would require a global investment of 38 billion dollars in infrastructure to meet growing energy demand, of which 90 percent come from countries like China and India. But everything will depend on the balance in the grants management change and these are reduced to fossil fuels (400,000 million dollars a year). Greenpeace accounts make clear the way: “With just redirect all subsidies for fossil fuels to renewable energy programs, the 2,000 million poor people have access to energy, not 2030, but in this decade.”

The explanation given by the local newspaper is: “While a first blade broke away from the wind and crashed into a nearby field in the course of the night, a large part of a second the right blade collapsed mast Thursday in the late morning. ”

It appears that wind gusts over 110 km / h were recorded by the meteorological services for several hours.

The turbine in question is located in the parking Widehem located between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Etaples (Pas-de-Calais) with a capacity of 4.5 MW intallée. Commissioned between 2000 and 2001, each of the six wind turbines of type “Jeumont J48/750″ develops an output of 750 kW and a diameter of 48 meters. The height of the platform is 46 meters.

The group Poweo is the developer, while the operator remains Sorgenia France.

Statistically, the number, such accidents happen inevitably. But it could be even more serious as this video shows in Denmark (Nordthank Park), where we see a wind turbine (Vestas model?) Literally explode (manufacturing problem, wear?).

The French company Vergnet examined the subject in tropical areas and has developed a concept that secures the turbine to the ground in case of cyclone!

Nordex has received its largest contract farm in Ireland. The wind power project is called “Garracummer” is located in County Tipperary, and will have 17 wind turbines N90/2500.

“Garracummer” of 42.5 megawatts, is the largest Nordex wind farm in Ireland. The other two Nordex wind projects in Ireland are “Knockawarriga” with 22.5 megawatts and “Kilgarvan”, with 32.5 megawatts. Nordex built these wind farms with SWS, a wind power developer, which was acquired by Bord Gais in 2009.

The wind energy market in Ireland in 2011 has been a good year for Nordex. The manufacturer of wind turbines installed the first turbine in 2002. In 2010, the company founded an Irish subsidiary based in Swords, near Dublin. Today there are over 60 Nordex wind turbines operating in Ireland, with a capacity of 150 megawatts.

The financial vice president of the Balearic Government has released the new call for public aid to renewable energy development, with funds from the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDEA), divided 2,275,000 euros between Islands.

The sector, one of the few to rise during the economic crisis, welcomes this new line of grants as an opportunity to convince people of the need to install renewable energy equipment in their own homes in order to overcome the progressive increase in the cost of light , already has gone up to 75% in the last five years and promises to continue to rise in the future.

Assistance organized by the economic department of the Bauzà Government granted to either solar, wind, mixed, biogas or thermal biomass teams. The resolution of Vice President Josep Ignasi Aguiló makes it clear that it will subsidize up to 30% of the cost of installation and the maximum injection of public money will be € 200,000 per applicant.

The official deadline for eligibility for support will end on Sunday 22 January. To be awarded some of the grants, you only have to prove that is has undertaken any renewable installation of its kind between the August 14, 2010 and August 15 this year. Installation companies can also seek help from the administration.

In a statement, Sonkyo Energy explains that in this station, which is self-sufficient with renewable energy, the key aspects of climate change and biodiversity studies are investigated.

Sonkyo notes that facility has been working on wind energy devices on all continents. In countries like the U.S., Taiwan or China, has already installed over 350 wind turbines in places such as farms, parks, communication towers or universities.

The WINDSPOT is a specialized wind turbine of small wind power, with power system performance, and features that make it particularly suitable for such more isolated facilities.

In this case, the order is directed to the South Pole, where the International Polar Foundation in 2008 built a research station called Princess Elisabeth Antarctica, the first “Zero Emissions” station built on this continent.

In this regard, Sonkyo indicates that an order has been required to adapt WINDSPOT characteristics, ready to withstand high wind gusts, to circumstances such as extreme cold of the austral winter.

Therefore, at the headquarters of Sonkyo Energy in the industrial area of Raos, the research and design WINDSPOT team worked on a special coating to the blades of the turbines, which has added Teflon to make the ice slide and the snow does not settle in them.

Also the hydraulic system using oil was replaced by other special aviation system supporting the -65 degrees Celsius. Moreover, all the machine has been treated with a special varnish antifreeze.

According to Sonkyo, WINDSPOT wind turbines have been chosen for its resistance to high winds and being able, thanks to its patented variable pitch, to continue production in condition of strong winds, quite common in this area of the globe.

The Minister of Energy and Water, João Borges, announced the construction next year, the first wind and solar energy in the province of Namibe, with a capacity of 20 megawatts in the first phase. The wind power company Vestas, the largest wind turbine manufacturer, is present in Angola since a few months ago.

João Borges, who spoke yesterday during the New Year greetings to employees, said the goal in the future is to increase the capacity of renewable energy project to 100 megawatts.

For next year, also announced a strategy for renewable energy development, to allow access of the rural population to renewable energy and electrification.

The Minister of Energy and Water stressed that one of the challenges that the sector is driving the creation of conditions for renewable energy become a reality in the country.

The minister acknowledged that the electricity supply is still “well below the need,” noting that the average coverage rate across the country is below 50 percent.

The Executive Branch, since 2008, developing a program of expansion and rehabilitation of the electricity sector, and rehabilitation extends to 2013. “We have achieved important results in the recovery of energy generation in different infrastructures destroyed during the war,” he said.

João Borges said the program was recently approved to build a 450 MW thermal capacity, so that next year will reduce the deficit that occurs in the country.

Also for 2012, announced the improvement of power supply with the installation of 495 MW to supply the provinces of Luanda, Cabinda, Huambo, Benguela, Kuando Kubango, Cunene, Huila and Lunda Norte.

The cumulative production of renewable energy in 2011 was 10.2% lower than the same period in 2010 and has cut its weight by 2.3 points in the ‘mix’ generation, from 35% last year to 32.7 % now.

These data, which are included in the daily monitoring of Spain’s Red Electrica (REE) of the electrical system are not yet final, 2011, coincided with a sharp increase in the production of coal-fired plants, which provide a 95 % more.

The burning of this fuel for electricity generation is fueled by a royal decree or gifts of technical restrictions that gives preference to domestic coal, whose use has increased by 84%. Still, imported coal production rises by 119%.

Among the renewable technologies, wind is nearing the end of the year down 4.5% after it cut production by 8.5% so far this month, while the hydraulic generates 24% less than electricity and has grown from providing a 16% to 11.5%.

In any case, the wind has not significantly reduced their weight in the ‘mix’. If in 2010 accounted for 16% of electricity, now accounts for 15.8%. This slight variation reflects the fact that electricity demand drops by 1%, while in 2010 increased 2.9%. On the other hand, solar photovoltaic now produces 25% more weight and already has close to 3% in the ‘mix’, while the CSP, in the takeoff, nearly triple its contribution.

The main change in conventional technologies applicable to coal, which has gone from having a weight of 8% of the parent generation to 15.4% today.

Nuclear power produces a 7% less, but just a point cut in its contribution to the overall electrical system, from 22% to 21%, while gas combined cycle reduce its production by 241% and go from 23% despite to 18.8%.

The federal government yesterday approved funding for the construction of a photovoltaic solar power plant in California and Oregon wind farm will generate 379 megawatts together renewable energy, enough to power 112,500 homes and help to create over 600 jobs.

These would be the renewable energy projects number 26 and 27 respectively supported by the Department of the Interior over the past two years.

“As we continue to actively and swiftly moving into the future of renewable energy these projects strengthen local economies by creating good jobs and sustainable energy,” said Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior.

In California, Solar Energy Project Sentinel is a solar power plant of 275 megawatts that will connect through the Imperial Valley Substation in San Diego Gas & Electric. This plant will create 367 jobs, generating more than $ 30 million in taxes during the life of the project, while providing enough electricity to supply about 82,500 homes.

The Oregon project, North Steens Transmission Line, is a line of 44 miles that will generate power for about 30,000 homes, 4.5 million in local tax revenue over the life of the project. Both projects were subject to extensive environmental review to mitigate any potential advance environmental impact, authorities said.

Because development on private land is connected to the federal law Pathways to transmission lines and can not proceed without approval from the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment had to consider the impact of any generation and transmission projects, including the component that they will be located on private land.

Located in Fengtun, near Mount Dajianfeng Mouding district of Yunnan-Guizhou plateau, the wind power plant has a height of between 2,000 and 2,500 meters above sea level, according to the wind turbine supplier Xinjiang Goldwind Science and Technology, which provided 33 wind turbines permanent magnet direct drive (no gearbox) of 1.5 megawatts.

The wind farm construction lasted 15 months and had an investment of 483 million yuan (76.7 million). The upland areas are highly valued because they offer promising prospects for energy companies and wind turbine manufacturers for its abundant resources.

“We have designed new models of wind turbines with larger wind blades and better insulation techniques and protection against lightning and radiation,” said Wu Gang, president of Goldwind. At the same time, many wind turbine manufacturers have expressed a strong interest in the market of products designed especially for the plateaus.

In November, CSR Zhuzhou manufacturer reported that it had connected the two wind turbines installed in wind farms in Yunnan to the grid, which was a hit for power generation in the highlands.

To date, CSR Zhuzhou has received orders for more than 400 units of this type of special turbines, a figure that puts the company in the first place in terms of market share of resources for plateaus.

In turn, Huaneng Power and Renewables Longyuan, who pioneered the exploration of wind resources in China, have chosen the southwestern province of Guizhou as a priority to carry out its development projects wind resources. Guizhou aims to reach an installed capacity of wind power generation from nine gigawatts of 2020.

Until late 2010, China recorded an installed capacity of wind power generation of 44.7 gigawatts, replacing the United States in the first wind power production, and plans to increase the number to 100 gigawatts by 2015.

Currently, about 90 percent of China’s wind power is below 1,000 meters above sea level. Experts have noted that the plateaus exploration is expensive because of high construction costs and uncertainty about whether the projects would generate profits.