Catching the wind

Alternative energy sources are getting a fresh look as demand for fossil fuels increases worldwide and technical innovations help reduce the costs of alternatives. A decade ago, California was producing 30% of the world’s wind-generated electricity. Here’s a look at utility-scale wind farms:

California wind resources

About 95% of the state’s electricity from wind comes from more than 13,000 turbines concentrated in the Altamont Pass, Tehachapi Mountains and San Gorgonio Pass areas.

2004 power mix

Wind power generates less than 1% of the state’s power.

Natural gas 45%

Coal 29%

Large hydroelectric 20%

Renewables 4%

Nuclear 2%

Note: Renewables include wind, biomass, waste, geothermal, small hydroelectric and solar power.

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Wind turbine

These modern windmills catch the wind by either turning into or away from air currents that blow from 8 to 65 mph.

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How it works

Wind moves a propeller, which turns shafts to work a generator.

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Upside, downside

Wind power producers get tax credits and state incentives and don’t have to worry about fuel price increases, generating pollution or long construction delays. Some worries:

- Limited sites with consistent high wind

- Noise from turbines

- Blades are a danger to birds

- Older turbines are less cost- effective

- Impact on views

- Installation cost

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Shrinking bottom line

The Electric Power Research Institute estimates that the cost of producing wind power has dropped fourfold since 1980.

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Approx. cost per kilowatt-hour

1993 - 7.5

Now -- 4 to 5.5

2008* - 3.5

*Projected

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Sources: California Energy Commission, National Wind Technology Center, U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, UC Berkeley Geoimages, L.A. Department of Water and Power, Southern California Edison. Graphics reporting by Cheryl Brownstein-Santiago