Precast Solutions - July/August 2008 - (Page 22)

ABOVE GROUND EXPANDING U.S. WIND POWER PRECAST CONCRETE SUPPORTS THE WEIGHT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY . BY SUE MCCRAVEN In 2007 alone, wind-generated electrical capacity increased by 45 percent, or an additional 5,000 megawatts, representing 30 percent of all new U.S. energy capacity. Twenty-six states have passed standards that identify renewable energy targets for electric companies, with targets up to 25 percent of total power generation. Legislative mandates aside, the reality of wind power’s remarkable growth in the United States is undeniable. A surprising example of wind power’s expanding capacity comes not from our windy coastlines or mountain tops, but from America’s heartland. MidAmerican Energy Co. began building wind turbines just four years ago and currently operates W ithin the past few years, wind power in the United States has become a viable alternative energy source to fossil fuels. more than 460 wind turbines in Iowa, making it No. 1 in ownership of wind energy generation capacity among the country’s regulated utilities. Florida Power & Light’s nonregulated subsidiary derives thousands of megawatts of power from wind farms and is the nation’s largest developer of wind towers. Yet Iowa and Florida rank behind Texas and California in total wind power generation. There is unprecedented growth in the U.S. and worldwide wind power market, and untapped potential for precast concrete wind tower and foundation systems for taller and more efficient wind turbines. 22 PRECAST SOLUTIONS | JULY/AUGUST 2008

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Precast Solutions - July/August 2008 Contents What You Should Know About UHPC A Winning Hand Fresno Federal Expanding U.S. Wind Power Precast Concrete Pipe

Precast Solutions - July/August 2008

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