by Yakov ULANOVSKY, Dr. Sc. (Tech.), President of Signmet Scientific-Production Group of Companies Yunys KASHFRAZIYEV, Cand. Sc. (Tech.), Dubna International University of Nature, Society snd Man According to International Energy Agency (IEA), with the current energy consumption expansion (and it's redoubled every 10 years), available coal reserves will be sufficient for mankind for 250 years, oil resources, 40 years, and natural gas stock, 65 years. Against the background of oncoming deficit of traditional fuel resources many countries aim at using renewable energy sources, develop technologies of their production. Wind-power engineering, the most safe for people and environment, arouses particular interest. Its resources are extremely great and wide-spread, including in Russia. However, in Russia only use of autonomous wind power plants for work in local networks is economically sound for the time being. Technically available total wind power is estimated at 53,000 TW/h a year, which exceeds the world consumption approximately four times. The USA, Denmark, Holland, Germany, India and Spain can use this resource best of all: more than 3/4 (three-fourths) of wind-driven power plants fall to their share. The "Wind Power Monthly" magazine has published a review from which it's evident that by the end of 2005 total power of wind-driven power plants amounted to more than 17 GW, while sale of relevant equipment would amount to USD 13.4 bln in 2005 - 2009 only for coastal electric power plants. The dynamics of incremental cost reduction of wind power plant network is demonstrative: during 1981 - 2000 costs for their creation reduced from USD 2,600 to 800 per 1 kW due to rise in turbine power, improvement of their manufacturing process, and more thorough selection of place for wind-driven power plants location. The analysis of wind power production conditions in the world shows: in the developed countries it's an independent, fast-paced ... Read more