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Texas is Leading the Way with Wind Farms

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with CastNet Realty TREC#263257

  Wind Towers that generate electricity, clean energy is the way to go!  I am amazed at these giants that reach up into the air and turn the wind into fuel for our homes and businesses.  Technology has come so far in my lifetime but this is one of the best things invented I think.    Yes, the whole idea of wind energy is ancient but these beauties are not.                                                                                    Near Sinton, TX

Wind produces 9.2% of all the electricity in Texas. It's a $20 billion industry!

 

Look at these beauties, working all day long and at night too.  They are quiet, clean, and even pretty to look at.  The farmers can still have their crops in the field while energy is being produced.  Wind towers have come a long way since they first started being used.  And we are just at the beginning in this business.  Most recently, they discoveredd that raising the height another 50 feet produced much more energy and the cost was minimal.

Crops in the field

 

 

There are wind farms here on the Texas Coast where I took these photos.  There are also wind farms in West Texas along I-10 heading west.  Also up in the Panhandle, there are wind towers working all over Texas.  Texas may be known for oil and gas but Texas also has lots of wind!  It is a high energy State!

      A long way

 The towers are very impressive.  Get up close to one to feel the power of the wind as the blades come down.  It is more than rushing.  It is a strong wind.

These photos cannot really show you how large they are.  They are gigantic. Look at the base of the one on the second photo to get an idea of the size.  See the steps to the platform and the generator? 

 

       They line the countryside mile after mile. Very impressive!

Looking forward to more clean alternatives.  Hoping Texas will continue to lead the way to safer, cleaner energy and more efficient use of it.  Our children will thank us!

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       2916 Memorial Blvd              Kerrville, TX  78028             (830)257-2520           www.reretx.com

Show All Comments Sort:
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Ricki, wind towers have come a long way since the wind mills we often think of in Holland. Clean energy is a must.

Jul 23, 2013 10:57 PM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Ricki:  Congrats on the Feature!  We have quite a few windfarms here in IL too ... not so far away from where I live.  We love seeing them.  Strange, even as huge as they are, they are actually quite beautiful when in movement.  The whole concept just makes total sense to me.  Wish there were more.  Congrats to Texas for leading the way!

Gene

Jul 23, 2013 10:58 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Wayne,   I have heard that too but I dont know how much of a problem it is since the noise and the rush of the wind would scare them off.  I have seen a lot of these and have never noticed any dead birds around them not saying it does not happen but you would think there would be some. 

I love birds and always want to protect them but I ask the question, How much impact on all life and wildlife is an oil or gas well causing?  What about the toxic fumes from one of those or the salt that leaves a huge patch of ground unusable?  What about the potential poisoning of our water supply caused from fracking? Let's look at the impact of each and use the one that is the least destuctive.

Jul 23, 2013 11:04 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Norman,  I so agree.  American made products and American jobs!

Hi Edward,  A pump jack also makes a lot of noise.  And they are much uglier, you should drive in West Texas and see oil well pump jacks all lined up in a row.  Greasy, dirty, and ugly.

Hi Gita,  I think they have or are working on that.  I'm not sure how much of a problem it is.  The Texas coast has 87% of the migratory birds coming through the area every year.  IT is a wonderful birding area with wetlands and bird sanctuaries all over the place.  Like I said previously, I have never seen any dead birds on the ground near one of these and you'd think you'd see some every once in a while. I dont think it is a big problem.  Maybe the news has made it sound worse than it is for some reason.  OF course, they never mention the environmental impact an oil well has on an area.  Like not being able to use the land because of contaminants and pollution.  You should see for yourself the impact those have on land and also water supplies.

Jul 23, 2013 11:13 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Michael,  Yes it is a must! :)

Hi Gene,  Thank you for your comment.  They are quite beautiful and almost soothing to look at.  Yes, I hope every state gets wise and sees the benefits. Have a great day!

Jul 23, 2013 11:15 PM
Chris Miller Nevada Land with Water Rights
Vegas Grand Realty and Property Management - Mesquite, NV
Land with Water Rights For Sale

Let's see birds killed, noise pollution, government subsidized green energy sounds good, I guess. Do they really pencil out without tax dollars being used as venture capital to support this industry? Do we build them in America?

Jul 23, 2013 11:44 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Chris, Like I said, the impact on the environment is MUCH LESS than that of an oil well.  I'm not against oil wells at all but this clean energy is much better.  Profitable business you bet,  look at the figures.  Jobs created, oh yes!

Jul 24, 2013 12:15 AM
Alan Kirkpatrick
Austin Texas Homes - Round Rock, TX
Alan in Austin

Ricki:

Very nice post. Of all the energy alternatives I find this one most interesting. There are many places where this would work greatl. My backyard may be one. lol

Jul 24, 2013 12:41 AM
Brian Schulte
Allison James Estates & Homes - Sierra Vista, AZ
SFR, Sierra Vista, AZ

Yes, you can get one for your backyard!  Farmers have had smaller units on their land for many years. Keep Smilin'

Jul 24, 2013 12:48 AM
Lynda White
Bluegrass Homes & Farms Realty, Agent Know How - Louisville, KY
Admin. Mgr., Keller Williams Realty

I actually looked into getting a wind generator years ago. They claimed my area did not get enough wind. I doubt that, but I could also get solar. When one's not working, the other one is!

Jul 24, 2013 01:08 AM
Roger Stensland
Keller Williams Realty Puget Sound - Maple Valley, WA
Let's Move!

Wind farms are great if they are maintained.  So far, the record has not been very good as they are allowed to fall into dis-repair.  As to the myth about our carbon footprint causing global warming, we have been in a cooling trend since 1997.  This is caused by the cyclical solar cycles and not anything we are doing to minimize our dastardly carbon footprint. In the 1970s I looked into both wind and hydro-turbines to generate electrical power to save on energy costs for my home.  At that time, and at present, they are still not cost effective.  Even solar cells take about 20 years to pay for themselves.  Hopefully, as more are manufactured, the cost will come down to make them economically feasible.  I may not subscribe to the carbon myth, but I do believe in being as non-polluting as possible.

Jul 24, 2013 01:39 AM
Darren Copeland
Summit Lending - Lee's Summit, MO
Darren Copeland

Great post! So glad to see energy efficiency and sustainability are growing and booming!

Jul 24, 2013 01:56 AM
Edward & Celia Maddox
The Celtic Connection Realty - Queen Creek, AZ
EXPERIENCE & INTEGRITY - WE TAKE THE HIGH ROAD

Now that is a high rate of power produced by wind machines, but will be a long time before it reaches the percentage of oil, coal or gas driven power.

Jul 24, 2013 03:51 AM
Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI, SRES
Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA
REALTOR and Broker, Notary

Anyone not thinking it is feasible, is forgetting to factor in the cost of wars in the Middle East.  Build once, and we get free energy, except for the cost of maintenance.  Build 'em here so we don't have to import them.  

Jul 24, 2013 05:29 AM
Tamra Lee Ulmer
Arizona Resource Realty - Payson, AZ
NRBA ~FORCE~ Over 1000 REO Assets SOLD!

Ricki, very fascinating! They also have a pretty big Wind Farm between Arizona and California that I seen. and yes, I agree, it is so spectacular to be up close to see. They are enormous. Thanks for sharing !

Jul 24, 2013 06:51 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Wind energy is fascinating.  As a proud Texas, I am thrilled that Texas is again leading the way!

Jul 24, 2013 07:36 AM
Sussie Sutton
David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX
David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

There are so many of these windmills up near Corpus Christi... none in my area. They are majestic and awesome. I wish we could use more of these as long in the long run they saved energy. I don't know enough about them to know if they use electricity to run or not. I guess I will have to study up on them.

Jul 24, 2013 01:56 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Alan,  Yes, my backyard too :)

Hi Brian,  We should check this out!

HI Lynda,  That's true, wind and solar, free alternatives! I love free!

HI Roger,  It only mkaes sense to not pollute!

Hi Darren,  I think most people feel the same way.  If we could just get out politicians to listen.

Hi Edward & Celia,  It will only be a long time because we dont push for more of it.

Right on Gary!  You are so very very very right!!!!!

Hi Tamra,  Glad you've seen the power of these and the beauty.

Hi Sharon, Me too!

Hi Sussie, The photos I used came from the Corpus Christi area.

Jul 24, 2013 10:08 PM
Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert
Richmond, TX

Ricki,

 Cangratulations on the feature! WHo knew? Great blog and very interesting as well!

Jul 26, 2013 07:43 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

We always take pictures when we go through them on the way to Colorado. But I have never been up close to one. That might be a bit scary! HA!

Aug 01, 2013 12:18 AM