Windy news

Another catching up I need to do is about several wind energy announcements from the past few weeks.

Late last month, the Department of Energy announced that it will provide $93 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support further development of wind energy in the United States. In additional, DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will get an additional $100 million (and more) to upgrade its facility and infrastructure.

According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA),the US industry installed over 2,800 megawatts (MW) of new generating capacity in the first quarter of 2009. The total wind power generating capacity in operation in the U.S. is now 28,206 MW, enough to serve over 8 million homes and avoid the emissions of 52 million tons of carbon dioxide annually.

States with the most rapid growth in wind capacity in the first quarter include Indiana (75%), Maine (55%), Nebraska (53%), Idaho (49%) and New York (34%).

Relating to chemicals, Ashland announced this month its expanded product offerings for the wind energy market with the addition of Derakane® 601-200 epoxy vinyl ester resin, Envirez® unsaturated polyester resin from renewable and recycled resources, Pliogrip® structural adhesive, and Enguard® bonding paste.

The company also recently collaborated with Amtech, LLC and Endurance Wind Power to produce wind turbine blades at Amtech's North American manufacturing facility in Washington state. Amtech will produce wind blades for Endurance Wind Power Inc.'s line of small to mid-sized wind turbines using Ashland's resins.

Read more recent chemical company investments on wind energy in previous posts.