Wind is the result of the earth’s variations in surface temperatures, caused by heat from the sun.  Harnessing the abundant winds has proven to be the most economical source of renewable energy, and in some cases it is less expensive now than generating power via fossil fuels.

As a case in point, people in Colorado who signed up for green energy six years ago initially paid more for power, but with the increasing cost of gas and coal they now pay less than conventionally derived power.

The opportunity is at hand for the world to lower the price of electricity in the long term.  Wind will play a key role in that equation because this energy will always be free.

Since wind blows intermittently, a wind farm is far more productive if power can be stored during wind peaks and then delivered when demand is highest.

Wind power is most efficiently generated where wind blows hard and blows fairly consistently — the kind of places most of us would not want to live.  The future of wind power lies in larger turbines, offshore wind farms, improved electric grids and better energy storage.

Investment in wind energy exceeds $12 billion per year.  Wind will supply 20% of the energy needed for the US electric grid by 2030 and will be key for the economic sustainability of many farms and rural towns.