Newly discovered renewable energy technologies are often splashed about the media as the latest and greatest solutions for the end of peak oil. However, the renewable technology of the future is probably a technology we have had for decades. At Friday’s Log Lunch, Chris Varrone ‘84, president of Riverview Consulting, boldly claimed that wind will beat fossil fuel prices within seven years. While some environmentalists call for home solar and distributed energy production, Varrone is confident that the national energy grid is here to stay. That is good news for wind technology, which interfaces more easily with the grid than most other renewables. Still, the wind industry requires some new innovations and optimizations before it outcompetes natural gas and other fossil fuels. Varrone believes that the greatest gains for wind technology will come from blade and rotor design as well as better control software that responds to changes in wind conditions and energy demand. Based on his extensive work with the industry, Varrone is confident that these technologies are right around the corner to open the door on a wind energy future.
Chris Varrone ’84 and JJ Augenbraun ’11