The Great Lakes Zephyr - Wind Energy & Hydrogen Journal

The latest headlines (Encouraged to be forwarded) from Windpower Monthly relate the state of wind worldwide:

WIND.ALERT FOR JULY 2003 FROM WINDPOWER MONTHLY

Here are your summaries of the top stories in the July 2003 issue of
Windpower Monthly. For a descriptive list of this month's full contents
just go to http://www.windpower-monthly.com/current


-------------------------
Australia practising what Europe is preaching
--------------------------
Leading politicians in Australia's states are fighting hard for not only
retention of the federal government's mandated market for green
power certificates, but also for a tougher target for renewables. It is
an interesting sign of the times. Australia is not a country known for
the environmental aspirations of its leaders, particularly when it
comes to clean energy production. To see a diverse range of political
leaders individually taking the same strong action on green power is
a surprising turnabout. But, as our special report from Australia this
month makes clear, it is not concern for the environment that is
driving unanimous support for the national mandate. What Australia's
state leaders have realised is that... (Go to http://www.windpower-
monthly.com/current,#focus to read more about this article)


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Australia's business agenda for wind
-------------------------
It's crunch time in Australia. Energy policy is being revamped. The
Mandated Renewable Energy Target (MRET), hugely successful in
giving birth to Australia's wind industry, is up for revision. And the
battle is well and truly on for wind energy to take its rightful place as a
competitive, mainstream power source. Read the entire leader...go to
http://www.windpower-monthly.com/currentleader


-------------------------
Signs of German wind market decline confirmed
-------------------------
The world’s wind energy workhorse is showing signs of exhaustion.
Preliminary reports from developers for the first five months indicate
that Germany is bowing out of its role as a guaranteed market for
thousands of megawatts of wind power each year. Although about
560 MW of new wind capacity was installed, it is nearly 230 MW less
than during the same period last year. If political discussions about
reducing wind energy payments develop into an amendment to
Germany’s renewable energy law, the slow market exit could be
accelerated. We take a close look at the downward trend and the
market prospects ahead.


-------------------------
British development rush under way as Renewables Obligation bites
home
-------------------------
The number of applications to site renewable energy projects in
Britain has accelerated sharply since the UK’s Renewables
Obligation was introduced a year ago. From a steady rise in
applications for siting permits since the mid-1990s, the annual rate of
applications has dramatically shot up, from around 1400 MW of
capacity to over 2500 MW in 2003 for all renewables, reports the
Renewable Power Association (RPA). As we report, wind power is
leading the rush with 1360 MW of permitted projects.


-------------------------
European patent office rules on prior art and GE challenged in
America
-------------------------
After a two day hearing last month, the European Patent Office
(EPO) has ruled on the controversial patent on variable speed wind
turbine electronics held by General Electric Power Systems. The
decision can be appealed, however, a process which can drag the
long running case out for another three years. Meantime, in a bold
change of strategy, world market leader Vestas is challenging GE's
North American version of the patent by launching its brand new
variable speed 3 MW turbine right under the nose of its powerful
American competitor. Read about the EPO decision and what Vestas
has up its sleeve in the July issue of Windpower Monthly.


-------------------------
Controversial transmission policy good news for wind power
developers
-------------------------
The Canadian province of Alberta has decided to build new
transmission where and when it is needed. It is good news for the
wind power producers whose plans have been hindered by crowded
power lines coming out of the province's windy southwest. We report
on how energy minister Murray Smith's plans will create new
opportunities for wind power, including the potential development of
870 MW of new wind capacity to add to the state's current total of
170 MW.


-------------------------
Minnesota mandates masses of megawatt but with nasty nuclear
edge
-------------------------
In exchange for a guarantee that it can continue to operate two
nuclear power plants unimpeded, Xcel Energy is being required by
law to buy as much as 1400 MW more wind generation by 2015. The
change in state law converts a renewable energy objective into a
wind requirement. But while renewables advocates are declaring the
legislation a victory, they also point out that the law has a series of
nasty edges -- none of which are good for the environment nor the
pocket's of electricity ratepayers.


-------------------------
European conference delegates witness emergence of pragmatic
new business agenda for wind development
-------------------------
At last month's European Wind Energy Conference in Madrid, it
became increasingly clear that with the falling price of wind power,
the economic imperative is succeeding the environmental imperative
as the industry's main market driver. Despite this move into the
mainstream, debate was heated on whether European policy for wind
energy growth should be based on mandated premium purchase
prices or a market for trade in green power tags. Windpower Monthly
had a four-strong reporting team on the spot in Madrid. Read our
entertaining overview of the highlights and the lowlights of a busy
conference week last month.


-------------------------
Remote communities seek larger voice
-------------------------
Whitehorse, capital of Canada's Yukon Territory, was a fitting
location for the Cold Climate Opportunities international wind power
conference. With a decade of experience operating two wind turbines
in an area where temperatures can drop to -45 Centigrade, dedicated
individuals have shown what can be achieved when commercial,
utility and government sectors work together. This need to combine
forces and create a larger voice for medium-sized wind in small,
isolated community applications was a strong message during the
conference. Read our special report from Whitehorse in this month's
issue.



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