Can communities exist “off the grid” by producing their own power? Perhaps, one day…not so far away! A growing movement to small-scale renewable power sources — wind and solar — is building momentum. It’s not coming, it’s not a distant light — it’s here, now. One stunning example of this is in Willmar, Minnesota where a municipal utility has invested almost $10 million in two wind turbines that will enhance the use of renewable energy and cut carbon emissions.
Meanwhile, California is funding a “Million Solar Roofs” project and Amory Lovins, a renewable power advocate based in Colorado, says that the transformation of the energy industry is akin to “reinventing fire” with the hydropower, solar and wind industries now mainstream.
So, are we there yet? Well, no. There’s work to be done. There’s a big pay-off to fossil fuel companies for maintaining the current infrastructure that supports our continued dependence on non-renewable power supplies and methods. But, we’ve come a long way and President Obama is predicting the doubling of renewable fuel capacity within “the next few years”. The world is changing on on the Minnesota prairie…and beyond.
About Pamela Ostrom
Solar energy is free and renewable. The downside probably is that its primary cost is high. However, the one time cost of solar panels is more than sufficient enough to save at least 40% of electricity consumption per month that will go on for years. This is definitely the way to go.
Its compulsory to use renewable power resources for the sake of our future. 75% of earth is water, so this can be the ideal energy source like using the power of tides to generate energy and etc.
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Tidal energy will be great as long as they dont go destroying natural habitats in harnessing it. This destruction seems to be happening whenever they try to change the course of natural waterways ie building dams and so forth. Lose lose I’m afraid..