Wind power is now the top clean energy source in the U.S.
Wind power now claims the top spot on America's clean energy ladder.
Turbines have overtaken hydropower dams as the largest single source of U.S. renewable electric capacity for the first time, new data shows.
At the end of 2016, the U.S. wind sector had nearly 82,200 megawatts in installed capacity, the American Wind Energy Associated (AWEA) announced on Thursday.
SEE ALSO:Coal-fired electricity is at its lowest since officials started keeping trackHydropower, by contrast, had roughly 80,000 megawatts in installed capacity, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
"American wind power is now the #1 source of renewable capacity, thanks to more than 100,000 wind workers across all 50 states," Tom Kiernan, CEO of the wind advocacy group, said in a statement.
Credit: American wind energy associationThat makes wind energy the fourth-largest source of U.S. electric capacity, behind natural gas, coal and nuclear energy, respectively. Turbines now generate about 5.5 percent of the nation's electricity, enough to power roughly 24 million homes, according to AWEA.
But wind power hasn't surpassed hydropower in all categories.
When it comes to generation -- the actual amount of electricity that the plants produce -- hydropower is still in first place among renewables.
"It will likely still be a few years before [wind] overtakes hydro generation, because ... hydraulic turbines run more frequently throughout the year" than do wind turbines, said Colleen Regan, head of North America power and environmental markets at Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
The Hoover Dam's Arizona Intake Towers (L) and Nevada Intake Towers are shown on July 17, 2014 in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which dropped to a historic low amid a major drought.Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images"Having said that," she added, "it does seem that the momentum is on the side of the wind industry."
While the wind sector added 8,500 megawatts in capacity last year, hydropower only grew by 396 megawatts, according to EIA data.
Regan noted that new hydropower facilities have a much longer and more difficult licensing process than other clean energy projects. Plus many of the best spots for dams and reservoirs are already taken.
"We're not likely to see this change within the next couple of years," she said.
Wind's capacity takeover is significant for advocates who view hydropower as a clean energy outsider.
Via GiphyMany U.S. dams were built decades ago, before states got serious about addressing climate change -- so they aren't exactly edging out old coal-fired power plants, the way that new wind and solar projects are. Building dams and reservoirs can also require disrupting surrounding ecosystems and, in some cases, forcing communities to move.
Even so, hydropower facilities produces virtually no greenhouse gas emissions and water once they are constructed and, for now, is considered renewable.
Wind's rise to the top also follows a few uncertain years for the industry.
Wind power is now as cheap as coal-fired electricity in many places, but developers still rely on federal tax credits to help lower their costs and attract investors. Under the Obama administration, Congress allowed those tax credits to briefly expire, putting the industry in limbo.
Three of five wind turbines from the Deepwater Wind's offshore wind farm -- the first in the U.S. -- are seen near Rhode Island.Credit: AP PHOTO/MICHAEL DWYERCongress has since renewed the Production Tax Credit for wind projects and the Investment Tax Credits for solar projects. Those, combined with plunging technology costs for turbines and solar panels, have accelerated growth in both sectors.
It's still unclear whether this momentum will continue under President Donald Trump, experts say.
Trump and top members of his cabinet reject the mainstream scientific consensus that human activity is primarily to blame for global warming. The president has also vowed to revive the long-suffering U.S. coal industry and ramp up production of natural gas and oil.
When it comes to the tax credits, however, Trump isn't likely to interfere, said Tim Boersma, a senior research scholar at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy.
"A large chunk of the benefits are going to red states," he noted. Texas, for example, leads the country in installed wind energy capacity.
Featured Video For You
All electric trains in the Netherlands are entirely wind-powered
-
What Ever Happened to Winamp?USA Gymnastics CEO resigns after backlash from Simone Biles and Aly RaismanMarty the grocery store robot is a glimpse into our hellTwitter #BeAVoter campaign experienced a brief but hilarious bugSpaceship tech slashes energy usage of existing AC systems我市开启大熊猫溯源科考研学之旅North Korea ranks 174th among 180 countries on corruption index: reportMan Utd stumble again as Chelsea top Premier LeagueSwifties for Kamala raises over $100,000 in donations for Harris campaignComcast lets parents automatically boot kids off WiFi after daily max
下一篇:Travel Back in Time and Uncover Old
- ·U.S. Senators call on FTC to investigate the security of drivers' data
- ·Why Tesla's colossal Megapack battery is a big deal
- ·Top nuclear envoys of S. Korea, Japan hold phone talks on cooperation for peninsula peace
- ·North Korea says it confirmed accuracy of tactical guided missiles in test
- ·Yoon approves labor minister's appointment
- ·用脚步丈量和美乡村!第六届番薯节欢乐跑活动在云城开跑
- ·名师“一对一”指导!30强全力备战半决赛丨2023广东乡村歌手大赛
- ·Hulu's queer teen drama makes it easy to 'Love, Victor': Review
- ·Trump won't stop making a deceptive bird claim. Experts debunk it.
- ·Apple to launch AirPods 3 next year, report says
- ·Sasnovich sets up Indian Wells clash with Raducanu
- ·USA Gymnastics CEO resigns after backlash from Simone Biles and Aly Raisman
- ·If aliens harnessed solar power, could we detect them? NASA investigated.
- ·James Melville: U.S .Ambassador to Estonia resigns over Trump’s incendiary anti
- ·[Newsmaker] Funeral begins for world's 1st disabled climber to conquer 14 eight
- ·Seoul expresses 'strong regret' over Pyongyang's continued missile launches
- ·优化广东优质农产品产销资源对接!“农友圈”又有新动作
- ·This clip of Prince Harry laughing at Meghan Markle will make you love them even more
- ·[Newsmaker] Funeral begins for world's 1st disabled climber to conquer 14 eight
- ·In wake of vulgar remarks, Japan’s No. 2 diplomat in Korea returns home
- ·提前谋划部署准备秋季开学
- ·People raised $36k for a Starbucks barista after he asked a 'Karen' to wear a mask
- ·Marty the grocery store robot is a glimpse into our hell
- ·收购价、零售价双升,潮州橄榄喜迎丰收年!
- ·厚植精神文明沃土 培树司法文明新风
- ·Child separation now: Why it’s still so difficult for immigrant families to be reunited.
- ·Ruling bloc seeks tougher sentences for deepfake sex crimes
- ·Minor opposition party leader in self
- ·Biomorphic battery functions like a natural fat reserve for robots
- ·Sen. Susan Collins: Supreme Court nominee “who would overturn Roe would not be acceptable.”
- ·12 Sculptures Made From Recycled Materials
- ·交通事故致一人命悬一线 民生救援队员路遇相救脱险
- ·Pele released from hospital, undergoing chemo
- ·Mueller helps Germany fight back against Romania
- ·Number of COVID
- ·Top nuclear envoys of S. Korea, Japan hold phone talks on cooperation for peninsula peace