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Wind power has surpassed coal for the first time in Texas

Source: Unsplash

For the first time since the Electric Reliability Council of Texas began collecting data on the state’s fuel mix in 2003, wind surpassed coal as an energy source during the first half of this year, according to data released this month.

Wind has generated 22% of Texas’ electrical needs this year

Wind power has surpassed coal for the first time in Texas, according to a new reportThe numbers cap an enormous rise in wind power in the nation’s top energy-producing state over the past decades.

Now, there is approximately 75 gigawatts (GW) of wind capacity in the United States. In the past seven years alone, wind power has tripled in capacity from 25 GW to 75 GW, providing more than 5% of consumed energy.
More than 35 years ago there was virtually no wind energy on the US electric grid Now, there is approximately 75 gigawatts (GW) of wind capacity in the United States. In the past seven years alone, wind power has tripled in capacity from 25 GW to 75 GW, providing more than 5% of consumed energy. Source: Unsplash/RawFilm

Wind has generated 22% of the state’s electrical needs this year,

Wind just edged out coal, which provided 21% of the Lone Star State’s power, according to the Electrical Reliability Council of Texas, which manages electrical flow on about 90% of the Texan grid.

Sixteen years ago, in 2003, wind made up just 0.8% of the state’s power, and coal satisfied 40% of electrical needs, the council documents show.

By 2010, wind accounted for 8% of the state’s energy, and it steadily inched forward to 19% last year and now 22% in the first half of 2019.

At the same time, coal’s portion of the energy mix has declined over the past several years, from 37% in 2013 to 24% last year and just 21% this year.

Yet while wind has soared and coal-generated power has cooled, natural gas still accounts for the largest share of the state’s energy mix, generating 46% of its power in 2003 and staying strong at 44% last year.

Source: CNN

As you can see in the chart above, the cost of wind energy has decreased significantly in the past 35 years from more than 60 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in 1980 to about 7 cents/kWh today, unsubsidised. Naturally, as wind energy has become less expensive, it has become an increasingly popular renewable energy option around the country.
The cost of land-based wind has dropped by 41% since 2008, and wind capacity has tripled in the same period As you can see in the chart above, the cost of wind energy has decreased significantly in the past 35 years from more than 60 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in 1980 to about 7 cents/kWh today, unsubsidised. Naturally, as wind energy has become less expensive, it has become an increasingly popular renewable energy option around the country. Source: WindpowerEngineering.com

The winds of change blow across America

Texas produces and consumes more electricity overall than any other state. Its power production doubled that of Florida, the next closest state, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

It follows that Texas also leads the nation in wind energy production and generated fully a quarter of all wind energy in the United States in 2017.

Nationally, wind is just 6.6% of American energy production, the Energy Information Administration says.

In January, the agency forecast that renewables like wind and solar power will be the fastest-growing source of power for at least the next two years.

The wind is in the sails for the renewable industry in other parts of the county, as well.

New Jersey’s largest and oldest power company, PSEG, announced on Thursday that it’s pledging to go carbon-free by 2050.

"We believe climate change is real. There is this crescendo that’s building," CEO Ralph Izzo told CNN Business.

Source: CNN-Edition

The fourth major coal company since last October filed for bankruptcy earlier this month, jeopardising some 2,000 jobs across four states.
The news is equally depressing for coal elsewhere The fourth major coal company since last October filed for bankruptcy earlier this month, jeopardising some 2,000 jobs across four states. Source: Unsplash/GustaveQuepón

SCOTLAND JUST PRODUCED ENOUGH WIND ENERGY TO POWER ALL ITS HOUSEHOLDS TWICE OVER!

Between January and June 2019, Scottish wind generated enough electricity to power the equivalent of 4.47 million homes for six months. That’s almost double the number of homes in Scotland! Learn more. 

Make an Impact

How to Conserve Fossil Fuels 101

Fossil fuels are non-renewable materials such as petroleum (oil and gas) and coal. In addition to causing local air pollution, the burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and contributes to climate change. Moreover, many fossil fuels are reaching their "peak" production, making extractions too expensive. For these reasons, you may want to curb—if not end—your use of these materials. You can do your part through the “three Rs” (reducing, reusing, and recycling), conserving energy, and making smart transportation choices.