Texas Windmills: Powering the Future with Green Energy

Wind Power is a hot topic. Many believe the costs to the Environment (Mining Costs, Killing Migratory Birds, NOISE, and unsightly view are too high). Many also believe as a source of reliable energy they fall short because the wind is not always blowing. I get these arguments, but I also understand that we must do something and in that regard it at least makes sense to make them part of the solution moving forward in an increasingly energy hungry future. So I thought I would take a superficial view at Texas Windmills because they interest me and because Texas has so many of the already in operation.

While traveling through Northern Texas I noticed a lot of Windmills. However on the day I was driving through they were barely moving. This got me to wondering how much energy are they actually creating. I am not going to deep dive into the Cost to manufacture and the mining and steel and concrete an all of that (Well the more I thought about it the more I decided I wanted to know so I added it in… but in very general terms not specific dollar amounts… just estimated ranges which you can read about more below).

I will leave those details to others to argue. I just really wanted to know how much Wind Energy is being used in the City of Austin. So I looked it up. 12 Years to get to 100% renewable energy seems like a lofty goal in direct conflict with reality. But I will leave what to believe up to you.

No energy source is truly “clean” as the manufacturisng processes and maintenance will always create some pollution. But Wind in general appears to be much “cleaner” than the alternative especially fossil fuels.

Austin, Texas Windmill Power

Austin Energy, the city of Austin’s electric utility, purchases wind power from several sources, including wind farms in the Texas Panhandle and the Gulf Coast. In 2022, Austin Energy’s wind power purchases accounted for approximately 15% of the utility’s total electricity generation.

Austin, Texas Windmill vs Other Power Sources

The following table shows the breakdown of power sources for the city of Austin, Texas, in 2022:

Austin Energy is committed to increasing its use of renewable energy, and has a goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2035.

It is important to note that Austin Energy’s power mix can vary from day to day, depending on weather conditions and the availability of different energy sources. For example, on days with strong winds, Austin Energy may rely more heavily on wind power.

How much energy can a single Texas Windmill generate?

A single modern windmill can generate up to 3 megawatts (MW) of electricity. This is enough to power about 3,000 homes. However, the actual amount of energy generated by a windmill will vary depending on the wind speed and the efficiency of the turbine.

How efficient are the windmills in northern Texas?

The windmills in northern Texas are generally very efficient. The average capacity factor for wind turbines in Texas is 42%, which means that they generate electricity for 42% of the time. This is higher than the national average of 35%. These numbers vary slightly from one estimate to another, but most articles I read quote very similar numbers.

How big is a typical modern windmill?

A typical modern windmill has a rotor diameter of 200-300 feet and a tower height of 300-400 feet. This is much larger than traditional windmills, which were typically only a few feet tall.

Here are some specific examples of windmills in northern Texas:

• The Roscoe Wind Complex is the largest wind farm in the United States, with over 780 turbines. Each turbine has a capacity of 2.3 MW, so the entire complex can generate over 1.8 gigawatts (GW) of electricity.
• The Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center is another large wind farm in northern Texas, with over 660 turbines. Each turbine has a capacity of 2.5 MW, so the entire complex can generate over 1.6 GW of electricity.

These windmills are helping to make Texas a leader in renewable energy production.

Efficiency of windmills in northern Texas

Windmills in northern Texas are generally very efficient. The average capacity factor for wind turbines in Texas is 45%, which means that they generate electricity for an average of 45% of the time that they could be generating electricity. This is higher than the national average capacity factor of 37%.

Cost to build an electrical generating windmill

The cost to build an electrical generating windmill varies depending on the size and type of turbine, but it is typically in the range of $1 million to $3 million per turbine. The cost of materials and labor is the largest component of the total cost.

Materials used in windmills

Windmills are made up of a variety of materials, including steel, concrete, fiberglass, and copper. Some of the specific materials used in windmills include:

• Steel: Used for the tower, blades, and other structural components
• Concrete: Used for the foundation
• Fiberglass: Used for the blades
• Copper: Used for the electrical components

Petroleum-reliant materials in windmills

Some of the materials used in windmills rely on petroleum, including:

• Steel: Steel is made from iron ore, which is mined using petroleum-powered machinery.
• Concrete: Concrete is made from cement, which is made from limestone, which is mined using petroleum-powered machinery.
• Fiberglass: Fiberglass is made from petroleum-based resins.

Where windmill parts are manufactured

Windmill parts are manufactured all over the world, but the United States is a major producer of windmill components. Some of the major manufacturers of windmill components in the United States include GE Renewable Energy, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, and Vestas Wind Systems.

Number of windmills operating in northern Texas and scheduled to be built

There are currently over 10,000 windmills operating in northern Texas. The Texas Wind Industry Alliance projects that the state will add another 10,000 windmills by 2035.

Does Texas have adequate funding to build windmills?

Texas has adequate funding to build windmills. The state has a number of programs in place to support the development of wind energy, including tax breaks and grants. The state also has a goal of generating 20% of its electricity from wind by 2030.

How much money is the state of Texas and the federal government contributing to wind power through 2035?

The state of Texas and the federal government are contributing billions of dollars to wind power through 2035. The state of Texas has committed to investing $7.5 billion in wind energy through 2030. The federal government has also provided billions of dollars in support for wind energy, including through the Production Tax Credit and the Investment Tax Credit.

Overall, windmills in northern Texas are very efficient and cost-effective. The state of Texas has adequate funding to build windmills, and the state and federal governments are contributing billions of dollars to support wind power.

Raw materials and quantities needed to build a modern windmill

Steel: 200-300 tons
Concrete: 100-200 cubic yards
Electrical components: 10-20 tons
Electronics: 1-2 tons

The cost to build a windmill in northern Texas ranges from $1 million to $3 million per turbine. The exact cost will vary depending on the size and type of turbine, as well as the specific location. I also mentioned this briefly above, but it is worth repeating because different sources are quoting essentially the same numbers.

To build 10,000 more windmills in northern Texas would cost between $10 billion and $30 billion. This is a significant investment, but it is important to note that wind power is a clean and renewable source of energy that can help to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Here are some of the factors that can affect the cost of building a windmill:

• Size and type of turbine: Larger turbines are more expensive to build, but they can also generate more electricity.
• Location: Windmills that are located in windy areas are more efficient and can generate more electricity. However, they may also be more expensive to build due to the need for taller towers and foundations.
• Terrain: Windmills that are located on flat terrain are easier and less expensive to build than windmills that are located on uneven terrain.
• ** permitting and approvals:** The cost of obtaining the necessary permits and approvals can vary depending on the location of the windmills.

Overall, the cost of building windmills in northern Texas is relatively high. However, the benefits of wind power, such as reduced reliance on fossil fuels and cleaner air, make it a worthwhile investment.

Disclosure: Some of the information sourced to create this page comes from Wikipedia