Throughout its history, Texas has always been a leader. That’s not bragging about my native state, as some might say; it’s just a fact.
Many things about the Lone Star State’s leadership are renowned and have been widely publicized through the years. However, there are also lesser known things that demonstrate Texas’ leadership.
Wind is one of the greatest natural resources in the US. It has been used since the days of the pioneers to draw water from underground aquifers, and it was undoubtedly the most important energy source in making the settlement of the Great Plains possible. In the more recent past, wind has been sufficiently harnessed to create electrical energy.
In fact, wind power is the fastest-growing source of electricity generation today. Last year, Texas was responsible for almost a third of the new wind power installed in the US. The Lone Star State is currently the largest wind energy producer in the nation.
Wind energy production has grown significantly in Texas over the past few years. Technological advances in the design and engineering of wind turbines have enabled wind-based electricity to become cost competitive with fossil-fueled electricity.
Last year, wind power generating capacity in the US expanded by some 27%. Due to the growing demand, as well as private capital investment and support from federal and state government, the capacity is predicted to climb another 26% this year.
In 2006, wind was second only to natural gas as a new power generation source in the nation. The US now has wind energy installations with generating capacity to provide the needs of more than 2.9 million homes. Texas’ wind generating enterprises comprise 21% of the US total capacity and can provide enough power for approximately 600,000 homes.
The major area in Texas for producing wind energy, of course, is in the western portion of the state, where some say it blows continuously. While that is not exactly true, the Great Plains from Texas to North Dakota do have the nation’s greatest wind power potential. In addition to the Panhandle region, the best wind sources in Texas are the Gulf Coast and specific ridge tops and mountain passes in the Trans-Pecos region.
Currently, more than 2,000 wind turbines are located in these areas of the state and, as development costs drop and technology improves, more will inevitably be installed. The world’s largest operating wind farm is located in the Northwest part of the state.
This week, Texas takes another giant step forward in enhancing this alternative energy source. On the docks in Galveston ready to install in the Gulf of Mexico is the nation’s first measuring platform, a prerequisite for the eventual development of an offshore wind farm.
This platform, constructed from recycled offshore oil and gas platform materials, will soon be set up about seven miles off the coast of Galveston to test wind velocities and conduct avian research. The meteorological towers on the platform will help collect data that will be pertinent to the eventual construction of the nation’s first venture into generating electricity from wind off land.
The wind energy development on the 11,355-acre lease near Galveston, which by the way, was the nation’s first lease agreement for the development of an offshore wind farm, stands to eclipse current onshore developments.
As with gas and oil production on state lands, wind farms pay land usage fees and a portion of acquired revenues to the Texas Permanent School Fund. A substantial amount of money is presently being put in the fund by wind power energy projects now in operation. Revenue from the new offshore project is expected to be at least $26.5 million in royalties over the 30-year lease, thereby providing a notable increment for public education funds.
It is unlikely that wind will replace traditional power sources any time soon, and it tends to blow least during the summer when electricity is most in demand. Nonetheless, this critical source of alternative energy offers enormous promise as one of many approaches that will be needed to meet future requirements.