14 DAY TRIAL // An official report detailing the factors that impact the implementation of wind farm technologies in the United States has been released by the NREL on October 7
The announcement was made by Steven Chu, who is the US Energy Secretary. He says that experts at the Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) worked hard on the new paper.
The report, entitled “Large-Scale Offshore Wind Power in the United States: Assessment of Opportunities and Barriers,” is available for download in pdf format from here.
In addition to the usual assessment of the country's offshore wind resources, the paper also includes analyses of the offshore wind industry, as well as predictions of potential job growths.
Some of the technological, economical and procedural challenges associated with the wide scale deployment of wind-harvesting capabilities are also listed by NREL scientists.
“Clean, renewable energy development that capitalizes on the nation's vast offshore wind and water resources holds great promise for our clean energy future and our economy,” Secretary Chu explained.
“Today's report will help guide our efforts in the coming years to support the offshore wind industry, create new clean energy jobs, and develop environmentally responsible energy resources,” he added at a press conference on October 7.
The potential offshore wind resource of the United States is now estimated to surpass 4,000 gigawatts. By exploiting only a fraction of that, the nation could create thousands of jobs.
Boosts will also be provided for the the US manufacturing sector, which was heavily hit by the global economic crisis that started a couple of years ago.
Added benefits include a reduction in the amount of greenhouse gases that the United States releases into the atmosphere each year, as well as a reduction of the country's dependency on foreign oil.
The main things that are needed now to advance the implementation of wind capabilities, the NREL document shows, include effective researches, new policies, and market commitments.
Under President Barack Obama, the US has taken a turn for the better, providing fundings and incentives for studies being conducted into improving the efficiency and cost of renewable energies.
Just recently, Energy Secretary Chu announced that a new set of solar panels and solar heaters will be placed atop the White House, in Washington, DC.