Inspiration: Windmills, Windmills Everywhere!

We think modern windmills like these are beautiful, both as aesthetic objects and as a symbol of an energy-independent, completely reneable future.
We'd gladly give up our (partially screened) view of Mt. Hood if only there was enough room in our back yard to install one of these Danish beauties.
On a recent trip to Denmark, we were overwhelmed by the frequency of windmills in the landscape. They're everywhere you look...

It turns out that Denmark is the leading country when it comes to wind power, being well on their way to a goal of satisfying 50% of their energy needs with wind power by 2025.
According to a recent survey, it appears that 96% of the Danish population is with us on this one... now think about what it would mean if windmills started popping up across the American landscape.

Images: Danish Wind Industry Association

Comments (8)

What's slowed this down in the U.S. is concern about birds flying into the propellers, with predictably nasty results to the bird. So the green energy people need to chat with the save-the-wildlife people.

I love the Altamont Pass windmills and wish they operated more comprehensively.

Wind mills are popping up in Ontario, and I LOVE them. I have to stop and gawk on drives outside of Toronto where we find fields them - I can't help it :)

Windmills are on a number of mountain ridges in Pennsylvania. In many places they are an interesting compliment to the landscape and seem to be a point of pride among the neighboring residents. Once they become more common, people may feel differently. There's already been a case of people objecting to a town's approval of the construction of a private windmill behind a home at the New Jersey shore.

There's a large number of them in West Texas as well.

These things are genius if done offshore in the sea, But there is some beautiful land and small rural communities being destroyed by these industrial wind turbines... I think any industry that requires people to sign non-disclosure agreements is a bad industry...

some interesting footage:
alliance for Bovina

p.s in case anyone thinks i am wacky, i totally love the idea of wind energy, its just that they are destroying one of the most beautiful (and green) parts of NY (the western Catskill mountains my hometown, home to my parents organic farm) to get tax incentives, and political points. here are some more links:
A profitable environment

Exploitation and destruction:
some things to know about industrial wind power

I think these are lovely too. There's a lot of fuss about them in the uk cos they "ruin the look of the landscape", which I think is just silly. Bring on the wind mills!

I'm not sure if this house has been posted about, but it's a good example of how to incorporate wind turbines as an energy source within your own property lines. They're also using geothermal for heating and cooling and have green roof.
http://greenbean.typepad.com/greenbean/2006/07/mauceri_residen.html#more

I live around the corner from this place and it looks great. The wind turbines look like a cool sculpture on their own.