With the New Year looming, it’s a good time to consider learning more about alternative, renewable energy sources. Following are 10 links to help you learn more about the basics of wind power, and how to get started on your own wind-energy projects:
The American Wind Energy Association (http://awea.org/): The national trade association for the wind energy industry, the AWEA provides online fact sheets, FAQs, tutorials, publications, a resource library and more.
Canadian Wind Energy Association (http://www.canwea.ca/): A non-profit trade association, CanWEA's Website offers news, fact sheets, a list of Canadian wind farms and more.
Danish Wind Industry Association (http://www.windpower.org/en/core.htm): The Danish Wind Industry Association aims to promote wind energy both in Denmark and abroad. Its Website includes wind energy market data, an animated "Wind with Miller" section for learning more about wind energy, even wind-power-themed e-greetings.
PicoTurbine Renewable Energy Windmill and Solar Projects (http://www.picoturbine.com/): This site offers plans, books and kits for renewable energy projects that can be built by fifth-graders through adults, as well as FAQs, classroom ideas and more.
The Poul la Cour Museum (http://www.poullacour.dk/engelsk/menu.htm): This is the Website of the Danish museum focused on the life of Poul la Cour, considered the founder of modern wind turbine theory.
Wind Energy Resource Atlas of the United States (http://rredc.nrel.gov/wind/pubs/atlas/): This Website provides maps and information on typical wind characteristics for different regions around the U.S.
The Wind Power (http://www.thewindpower.net/index_en.php): Available in both English and French, The Wind Power provides an international database of wind turbines and windfarms, along with photos, news and data about wind power.
Windpower Monthly News Magazine (http://www.windpower-monthly.com/): This magazine, available in print and online, provides news on the business and economics of wind power, editorials, analyses and more.
Windstats (http://windstats.com): Windstats is a quarterly international newsletter with wind-energy news, reviews and data.
Yes2wind (http://www.yes2wind.com): A joint project of Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and the WWF, this site is intended to provide information and resources about wind farms. While it's focused on the U.K., the Website provides extensive FAQs and other information applicable to wind-energy supporters anywhere.
