SWIFT and Small Wind

by Timlynn Babitsky
The small wind turbine market is expected to grow by 18-20% through the next two years. When new tax incentives ($1,000 – $4,000 per system) go into effect in January ‘09, that growth will only accelerate. Between tax incentives, rising energy costs and increased environmental consciousness, residential and commercial scale wind turbine demand is already exploding. But until now, small wind systems have disappointed many. (more…)

High Altitude Wind Power

Timlynn Babitsky | Thinking Forward,Wind Innovations,Wind Videos | Wednesday, August 6th, 2008

by Timlynn Babitsky
Tapping into the jet stream for unending, reliable wind power is no science fiction fantasy. Researchers from the Netherlands, the UK, the US, and Italy are all flying kites to capture that power. And, Google invested $10m last year in US kite company, Makani Power. The higher you go, the better the wind, but can kites really capture wind power?  (more…)

How ya gonna keep wind down on the farm?

Timlynn Babitsky | Inconsistent Power,Issues: Strategies & Tactics,Wind Innovations | Friday, April 25th, 2008

by Timlynn Babitsky
You can’t depend on wind they say. When you least expect it, the wind dies, the sails luff, the power goes. As we stretch to reach national 25×25 goals, there are plans afoot to tame the will-o-the-wind. The Iowa Stored Energy Park, a joint project of Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas, is one such effort. How do they plan to get wind energy on demand? Why, simply harvest the wind’s energy and store it for future use. And once again we see that grassroots organizing is so important!   (more…)

Water, water, everywhere…

Timlynn Babitsky | Side Benefits,Wind Innovations | Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

by Timlynn Babitsky
Think “wind power” — and electricity, generators, light bulbs, and air conditioners all pop into mind. But the city of Seminole has a pilot project in the works that will use wind power to desalinate groundwater to make drinkable water. How will they do that you ask? (more…)

Go Fly a Kite!

Timlynn Babitsky | Spaceship Earth,Thinking Forward,Wind Innovations | Sunday, February 10th, 2008

by Timlynn Babitsky
KiteShip Corporation founders Dave Culp, and Dean Jordan plan to build kites as large as a football field to power cargo ships and oil tankers. Unlike traditional sails which require masts and specialized rigging, the kite could be easily attached to an existing ship and moved from one vessel to another in a commercial fleet. Using a KiteShip kite along with traditional engine power, could provide fuel savings of between 15-30 percent. (more…)