WindMade, a proposed standard for companies using wind energy, was first introduced at the World Economic Forum in Davos this past January and presented its two-month public consultation period on Global Wind Day, June 15.
The goal of WindMade is to use market-driven enthusiasm for global causes to entice more businesses to use wind energy. Eventually, the goal is to have a WindMade logo on products from companies who are wind energy supportive.
The proposed standard will require a company to have a minimum of 25% of its electricity demands met via wind energy. The percentage is meant to balance ambition with a realistic goal. The standard was created by a committee of experts from AWEA, Climate Friendly, AWEA, LEGO, Gold Standard, Vestas, Oko-Institut, Bloomberg, PricewaterhouseCoopers and the UN Global Compact.
The standard's first draft was reviewed by a Sounding Board consisting of multinational corporations and organizations including, but not limited to, Walmart, Better Place, 3Degrees and Dong Energy. Businesses can obtain the 25% needed to be WindMade certified by installing wind turbines, purchasing wind power through a purchase agreement, or by buying renewable energy credits that are linked to wind farms.
As part of the certification process, power consumption must be verified by a third-party. The final company standard is expected to be finalized by September, which will mark the start of the official application and certification process.
Although there is no information on who will receive the logo, several renowned companies have been advisors to WindMade, including Ikea and Microsoft. WindMade proponents hope that consumers will react to the logo, which consists of three blue crescents in the form of a windmill, similar to designs for organic food, hybrid technology and recyclable goods.
Although relatively wealthy individuals can afford solar panels and some energy companies offer energy credits, the majority of consumers can not afford renewable electricity. Unlike organic food, there is no standard or logo available for renewable electricity-compliant products that can allow consumers to make decisions that can benefit the planet.
As a result of labeling, organic food is experiencing a nearly vertical growth due to a mass movement of concerned consumers. If successful, WindMade can give consumers an a choice while benefiting both company profits and Mother Earth.
Global Wind Day
Wind Day is an international day to raise support for wind energy. Global Wind Day, which began in Europe in 2007, became global just two years later. Every year it is held on June 15 and serves to educate the public through visits to wind farms, attending local events, talking to experts and learning about the power of wind energy.
There are roughly 75 countries worldwide who generate clean, wind energy from local wind farms. Last year there were over 220 events held in thirty countries to spread the word about the benefits of wind energy.
Key Statistics – Wind Power in the USA (source: American Wind Energy Association)
- America installed 5,116 megawatts of wind power capacity.
- In the first quarter of this year, America installed the capacity for 1,118 megawatts.
- The total cumulative capacity for US utility scale wind power in the first quarter of the year reached 41,400 megawatts.
- The amount of wind power capacity under construction in the US as of the first quarter was 5,600 megawatts.
