Muskegon, Mich.−based WindTronics is preparing to roll out its clever Honeywell Wind Turbine, which can begin generating power in wind speeds as low as two miles per hour.

The turbine is fascinating because it´s really a generator. Instead of waiting for wind to push strong enough to get the blades of a traditional turbine going from the middle, the gearless Honeywell turbine creates power at its blade tips.

BRUSSELS − China doubled the amount of energy generated from windmills last year, a report from the global wind industry said Wednesday.

The Global Wind Energy Council, which represents companies that make and manage wind power stations, said the sector grew rapidly last year − with total wind capacity up 31 percent − despite the economic downturn.

BEIJING (AFP) − China has scrapped restrictions on the use of foreign parts in wind power turbines, state media reported, as the nation seeks access to more advanced technology to meet its clean energy targets.

The decision by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) means wind farms in China no longer have to source at least 70 percent of turbine parts from the domestic market, the China Business News said Monday.

China took a big leap into the U.S. renewable—energy market Thursday, putting up $1.5 billion for a 36,000—acre wind farm in Texas with the power to light up 180,000 homes. The project is a joint venture with U.S. Renewable Energy Group, a private—equity firm; Austin, Texas—based Cielo Wind Power; and Shenyang Power Group of China...(read more)

A consortium of Chinese and American companies announced a joint venture on Thursday to build a 600-megawatt wind farm in West Texas, using turbines made in China.

Construction of the $1.5 billion wind farm will be financed largely by Chinese banks, with the help of loan guarantees and cash grants from the United States government...(read more)

We seldom post about books at Gizmodo, but if this story of a self-taught Malawian boy using junkyard parts to build windmills and bring life—changing electricity to his village doesn't make you misty—eyed, then you must be one cold—hearted *$%&@*.

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence, and William Kamkwamba has it in spades. At age fourteen, while many of us were sneaking out of classrooms, William was struggling to sneak into them—his family was unable to afford the $80 annual tuition. As is bound to happen to most students, he was caught. But instead of being sent to detention, he was barred from the school. In a show of the driven man he would become, he didn't allow that to hinder him and instead started spending his days in the local library. While there, he encountered a book called Using Energy:..(more)

Tue Sep 8, 10:24 am ET

OSLO (AFP) — The world's first floating full—scale offshore wind turbine has been inaugurated in the North Sea off the coast of Norway, Norwegian energy giant StatoilHydro said Tuesday.

The turbine known as Hywind, which measures 65 metres (213 feet) tall and weighs 5,300 tonnes, lies some 10 kilometres (seven miles) off the island of Karmoey near the Scandinavian country's southwestern coastline, the company said.

It rests upon a floating stand that is anchored to the seabed by three cables. Water and rocks are placed inside the stand to provide balast...(more)