Sustainable Developments of Wind Power in Europe. Part 1: Utilization and Future Prospects

Abstract

The aim of the article is to investigate the present status and future prospects of wind energy and its potential to make significant contributions to the future energy needs of the European Union (EU). Wind energy has the potential to be the cheapest power source in Europe, but like any emerging technology, it faces significant barriers. At the same time, the EU wind manufacturing industry is booming with two-thirds of the world market share. In 2005, the EU has seen another record year with installations above 6,000 MW, thereby reaffirming its undisputed status as the world's biggest wind market.

Keywords:

• EU
• market penetration
• potential
• utilization
• wind energy

Notes

^aWind energy production as share of system consumption;

^bLevel at high wind production and low energy demand, hence, if peak penetration level is >100% excess energy is exported to other regions;

^cGerman coastal province;

^d2002 data.