Midwest performance projections

With more than US dollar 1 billion of wind capacity newly installed in the United States, attention has begun to shift from the 'wind rush' to its aftermath. Will the turbines installed with such high hopes perform as well as promised? Projected Midwestern yields are typically 50% greater than existing performance in post-1985 wind turbines in California, and from the few turbines previously operating in Iowa, and Ontario, Canada. Performance projections for Midwestern projects are aggressive. But no one knows with certainty whether these projections are too aggressive. The burden is on developers, manufactuers, and meteorologists to prove that indeed the turbines can consistently deliver such performance under Midwestern conditions. Only time will tell if the turbines and those who manage them can meet such lofty projections. (EHS)