November | 2021 | Socially Inspired Investor

Where the wind blows babe
You can bet
I’ll be riding high with it
Holding on for my dear life
Just like I always did

– Song by Zac Brown Band, Uncaged 2012

“Nature provides us with a chance to feel the things we cannot perceive with the naked eye” (Literary Devices)

Wind energy offers many advantages explaining why it’s one of the fastest growing energy sources in the world. And here’s a little secret you may not know –

Wind power now accounts for the largest share of renewable energy sources – 8.4% of total US. electricity generation and about 43% of electrical generation from renewable energy in 2020 (U.S. Energy Information Administration).

Wind is free and available and extensive years of development and research have reduced costs and significantly addressed concerns on the impact on wildlife, specifically birds and bats. Offshore solutions and technological advancements claim to realize its potential as the preeminent breakthrough solution. Despite strong demand amid a shift toward renewable power, many companies are having a hard time delivering turbines on budget and on schedule due to shipping delays, rising steel costs and other problems.

This Issue of the Socially Inspired Digest and Podcast – the 3rd episode of our 2nd season- delves into how wind energy is adapting to its new leadership role and what we can expect in the future.

Our Podcast this issue features Steven Pugh, Partner Hermes Infrastructure, a leader in renewable energy development in the UK. We also hear from our panel of experts in our Spotlight section who tackle the question:

Wind power’s role in the renewable energy transition: What are the risks and opportunities?

World attention has never been more focused and aligned to meet the environmental fight of our lives. The recent COP26 conference in Glasgow, Scotland underscores the world’s readiness to invest where necessary. More reason to be inspired.

Our mission at the Socially Inspired Investor is to keep you informed so you can not only achieve your investment goals but also to do it while aligning with your personal values. Please pass along this link sociallyinspiredinvestor.com to others whom you think will be interested and benefit from our Digest and Podcast.

We hope you enjoy this important issue.

We reached out to leading experts in the ESG investing industry to find out their responses, and this is what we found…

QUESTIONWind Power’s role in the renewable energy transition: what are the risks and opportunities?

ANSWERWendy Green– Principal Specialist, Low Carbon Energy Incubation Solutions by SASOL

ANSWERGreen hydrogen is critical for the decarbonization roadmap for many hard to abate sectors such as steel and manufacturing. The green hydrogen value chain uses electricity to deconstruct water into hydrogen and oxygen. Wind power is an excellent source of renewable power for green hydrogen plants, and is a major cost of green hydrogen.

QUESTIONWind Power’s role in the renewable energy transition: what are the risks and opportunities?

ANSWERPeter Fusaro, Founder, Wall Street Green Summit

ANSWERWind power has made tremendous strides in reducing its cost and is now globally deployed to fight climate change. Offshore wind is now ramping up with projects as varied as the US East Coast and Taiwan. Norway’s Equinor is deploying $50 billion for offshore wind projects by 2024. Germany’s Siemens has made technological breakthroughs in induction wind which does not have a gearbox and reduces operating costs. We are at the dawn of the golden age of wind power to be globally distributed.

QUESTIONWind Power’s role in the renewable energy transition: what are the risks and opportunities?

ANSWERMegahan Petersen, Management consultant and board advisor for ESG/Sustainability

ANSWERWind power will be essential in renewable energy investments. There needs to be a diversified renewable energy source mix for reliable delivery and wind is an essential part of that. Its cost structure provides an affordable entry into renewables which will be critical for any company or country that has committed to net zero or low carbon transition.

QUESTIONWind Power’s role in the renewable energy transition: what are the risks and opportunities?

ANSWERPooja Khosla, Executive Vice President Client & Product Development at Entelligent

ANSWERWe are living in the world of climate urgency. Where both speed and scalability matters. With wind power we have constraints both on speed and scalability. Speed because it may take up to 10 years from project idea to project execution. Scalability because windiest sites are often far from the cities that consume most electricity. The most recent energy crisis in Europe is attributed to The Wind Turbine fallouts. These fallouts are classic examples of hurdles that other nations could face as they ramp up their reliance on renewable power if the balance between speed and scalability is not met.