Wind energy in the United States and materials required for the land-based wind turbine industry from 2010 through 2030 / by David R. Wilburn.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

Wilburn, D. R. (David R.)

Contributor:

Geological Survey (U.S.)

Series:

Scientific investigations report ; 2011-5036.

Scientific investigations report ; 2011-5036

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Wind turbines--United States.

Wind turbines.

Wind turbines--United States--Forecasting.

Wind power industry--United States.

Wind power industry.

Wind power industry--United States--Forecasting.

Wind power--United States.

Wind power.

Wind power--United States--Forecasting.

United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (iv, 19, [3] pages) : illustrations.

Place of Publication:

[Reston, Va.] : U.S. Dept. of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, 2011.

Summary:

The generation of electricity in the United States from wind-powered turbines is increasing. An understanding of the sources and abundance of raw materials required by the wind turbine industry and the many uses for these materials is necessary to assess the effect of this industry's growth on future demand for selected raw materials relative to the historical demand for these materials. The U.S. Geological Survey developed estimates of future requirements for raw (and some recycled) materials based on the assumption that wind energy will supply 20 percent of the electricity consumed in the United States by 2030. Economic, environmental, political, and technological considerations and trends reported for 2009 were used as a baseline. Estimates for the quantity of materials in typical "current generation" and "next generation" wind turbines were developed. In addition, estimates for the annual and total material requirements were developed based on the growth necessary for wind energy when converted in a wind powerplant to generate 20 percent of the U.S. supply of electricity by 2030.

This is a good source of information for people doing life cycle assessments on wind energy.

Notes:

Title from PDF title screen (USGS, viewed July 20, 2011).

Includes bibliographical references.

OCLC:

746011128