We know why the DOE has set a target of boosting wind power to 20% of the nation's energy mix by 2030, Monday they revealed the first tidbits about how they plan on doing this. At a press conference yesterday afternoon, the Department of Energy's Alexander Karsner signed a 'Memorandum of Understanding' with the heads of the 6 largest turbine manufacturers GE, Siemens, Vestas, Clipper, Suzlon, and Gamesa.What does this mean exactly? It doesn't really outline a lot of concrete plans -- mainly some government/industry cheerleading -- but still there's a sense that wind power development is going to ramp up significantly. The agreement basically states that the National Laboratories and these turbine companies will share information and work to set industry standards in the areas of turbine reliability, site location, universal grid connection, manufacturing, and workforce. Historic? Maybe, maybe not. With the DOE promising 20% renewable energy by 2020, it's a pretty sure thing that wind will be one of the primary sources of this growth in the near term.
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