If any energy producers in Alberta are deserving of praise, it’s the wind energy producers.
Albertans get most of our sustainable energy from the wind farms in the foothills of the Pincher Creek region in southern Alberta, and we generate more wind power than any other province in Canada—more than 500 megawatts of power. Projects currently on the drawing boards will up that figure to 9,000 megawatts.
And that bodes well for wind power all over the world. If Alberta’s market-based economy can generate that kind of investment, then you can bet your eco-friendly vegan butt that wind power is economically viable, even with today’s relatively cheap coal.
Unfortunately, wind power is not consistent and therefore not capable of entirely replacing our current energy regime.
But the technology is improving. Wind power increased by 27 per cent in 2007, and the large turbines currently being built around the world are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Germany now manufactures very large units that are direct drive with no gearboxes; in layman’s terms, that means they’re more efficient, reliable, and easier to maintain.
In Shanghai, an office tower has been built that incorporates large turbines into the structure, which will take advantage of the elevated wind speeds that surround tall buildings while adding a distinctive feature to the architecture.
And other parts of the world are embracing smaller wind energy catchers. Kite-powered generating systems are under development in Europe and California. As a general rule, wind speed 1,000 metres aboveground is twice that at ground level. At higher altitudes, the wind speed increases further, and kites are one way to harness those winds.
As the kite rises into the sky, a winch drum rotates and turns a generator. When the cable is fully extended, the computer-controlled kite alters its shape, reducing its lift characteristics and pulling it back down by the winch. The engineers claim that bringing the kite down uses about 12 per cent of the power generated by the kite as it rises. A wind farm with about 100 staggered kites could produce a steady flow of power. 
There are several significant advantages to a kite-powered system. At altitudes of several thousand metres, winds are much more powerful and more constant than they are near the ground. No expensive towers and gearboxes are required, which means more power generated at less cost. The companies developing kite power believe that in a few years they will be able to produce power considerably more cheaply than coal-fired power plants. Kite power uglifies the environment much less than coal, and kites don’t pose the same threat to birds. Also, ground-based turbines need to be located in regions where strong winds are frequent in order to be economically viable. High-flying kites, utilizing high-altitude winds, will be viable in areas where the winds at ground level are unreliable, which greatly increases the number of locations suitable for wind power generation.
These high-flying kites could expand Alberta’s wind energy market, especially in southern Alberta Rockies, which are famous for their very powerful winds.
As new technologies are developed, the cost of wind power will continue to drop. And Alberta, with its abundance of wind, could become an even bigger player in the energy industry.

Editor’s Note: Peter Johnston is the deputy leader of the Alberta Green Party and ran in the recent provincial election in Edmonton-Glenora. This is his last column in a five week series on energy in Alberta.