News & Articles on History of Wind Power
This page was prompted by a technical question about early electricity-generating wind turbines in the United States. The question followed a similar question about “who was the first” to interconnect a wind turbine with an electricity network. There is a lot of confusion internationally about both subjects.
The history of wind energy is a broad subject and many have written about it. I’ve pulled together a list of sources, books, links, and museums that I know about. This list is far from comprehensive. If anyone wants to add to this list or edit this list, please do so.
A number of the entries below are reviews I’ve written of books that include the history of wind energy. The original book can usually be reached from the review. Other news items are relevant to the history of wind turbine development.
More on Fayette Manufacturing and its One-Time Resurrection
By
Paul Gipe
While archiving articles I’d written for the American Wind Energy Association’s newsletter, Wind Energy Weekly, I came across this one about Fayette’s restructuring in 1990. At the time I was the west coast representative for AWEA in Tehachapi. There’s not a lot on my web site about Fayette. (I do mention them in my books and in articles on capacity factor and how this figure of merit can be so misleading.) Consequently, for historical reference I am posting the article with the original date that I submitted it to AWEA. See Fayette Reborn in Major Restructuring.
Set of Enertech 10-foot Long Blades for Sale
By
Paul Gipe
Robert Kroeger, a former Enertech sales representative, has a set of 10-foot long Gougeon blades probably for a 4 kW …
1984 Films of Fayette Wind Turbines by Thomas Braise
By
Paul Gipe
In the fall of 1984 California photographer Thomas Braise filmed Fayette Manufacturing’s wind turbines in the Altamont Pass. Braise was …
Cascade Community Wind Company?
By
Paul Gipe
As part of my continuing project to document early wind projects, I am seeking information on the Cascade Community Wind …
What was the Diameter of Charles Brush’s Wind Dynamo?
By
Paul Gipe
Historian Robert Righter and others have noted that the diameter of Charles Brush’s wind dynamo was 56 feet or about …
Charles Brush: America’s Wind Power Pioneer–a Podcast
By
External Source
Henry Sanderson’s first podcast of An Electric Revolution is on Charles Brush: America’s Wind Power Pioneer. In 1888, a tall …
