Xcel systems has come out with one of the first utility systems in USA that makes use of a giant battery system that stores energy from wind power. This technology is known to be an environmental friendly technology of the future as it will not emit any type of pollution unlike other batteries that have chemicals in them. Another Japanese company called NGK Insulators has come out with a series of sodium sulfur batteries that can create about 7 megawatts of power from wind energy. Hence 20 batteries of similar kind can produce about 1 megawatt hour of power which is more than enough to power 500 American homes for 7 hours. Additional batteries can also be installed with lowered usage and this would lead to more energy creation.
These batteries are special since they can store energy produced by the wind. The excess wind energy can then be sold to the utility companies. Hence this is a huge leap in using wind energy for an energy source. Wind is unreliable as it blows only for certain times and it could be blowing when you don’t really need it. Hence the above mentioned battery can store the wind energy and convert it into energy that can be used to power devices. Storing the energy for later use leads to less wastage of energy and is a more viable alternative than other forms of energy.
Xcel is producing more power from the wind but at this time it has limited takers. The current customers are in the states of Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Dakotas and Colorado. The company is based in Minnesota. The company is planning to set up additional sites for its project but the initial start up costs will run into millions of dollars. There will be additional expenses as well because of the nature and size of the project.
Xcel is also testing other types of green energy including the installation of solar systems to produce hydrogen. This hydrogen can be burned and then it can be converted into electricity. There are other wind based operations also being tested. The main aim of the company is to cash on alternative source of energy that is reliable, affordable and most importantly, environment friendly. Xcel wants to keep an open mind while it explores the alternative sources of energy and the opportunities that they present to human kind.