Wind energy on demand

摘要

Wind doesn't blow around the clock. Because of its ephemeral nature, making wind a viable alternative energy source requires storage capacity and the ability to release that energy when demand—and market price—is high.rnNew technology from one company and a project in Iowa may show how to bring these two requirements together.rnCompressing air for energy isn't a new idea, but its use for wind energy is. When energy demand is low, energy from wind turbines can force air into an underground aquifer. When demand is high, a utility can expand the pressurized air and transform it back into electricity by pumping it to the surface and running it through a turbine.