Renewable Energy Discussion Series: Small Wind Turbines

This was second in a series of informal conversations about renewable energy technologies. The series was intended to help Senate staffers better understand the possibilities of different kinds of renewable energy. A small group of energy experts led each interactive discussion, and answered a variety of questions, including: How does the technology work? Where is it currently used and where can it be deployed? How much of our energy could we get from the technology? What are the upfront costs and long term benefits? How many design, construction, operation, & maintenance jobs are created?

On June 12, 2008, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the offices of Senators Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Ken Salazar (D-CO) held a meeting to explore the potential of small wind turbines. The term "wind energy" conjures up images of utility-scale wind farms -- large arrays of two Megawatt turbines with blades the length of a football field. But what about the potential for residential-scale wind turbines? Is this technology viable and affordable for a typical homeowner? The discussion focused on these questions, as well as small wind's role in addressing energy security and climate change.