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Texas is already in construction of special transmission paths just for wind.  And pickens downsized his order of outdated GE turbines, which remain the US market leader for reasons no one understands.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin
by Crazy Horse on Tue Jan 26th, 2010 at 04:34:44 PM EST
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But they're American, so they must be the best!

notes from no w here
by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot dotty communists) on Tue Jan 26th, 2010 at 05:31:50 PM EST
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Pickens' order might have a lot to do with GE's US market position, for now. Perhaps he was buying American products to strengthen his argument for wind power as a source of domestic jobs. Who knows. He is now concerned about legacy.

As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Tue Jan 26th, 2010 at 10:31:56 PM EST
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No, GE has always held an outsize share of the US market, despite mediocre performance, long before Pickens placed his order.  He's really just an aged wildcatter, and he's not as new to the industry as he made out.  Our team first met with him in 1999, when he expressed interest in offshore investment as well as standard onshore.  But he could only see then current economics, thus missing the gravy train completely.

In Texas style, he can kiss my, umh, horse.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Wed Jan 27th, 2010 at 04:35:09 AM EST
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GE owns some key patents in the US.  Especially #5,038,039 which effectively blocked Enercon from entering the US market.
by corncam on Sat Jan 30th, 2010 at 02:53:49 PM EST
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I don't believe that Patent has been invalidated, but GE lost the last round when the ITC ruled that Mitsubishi was not in violation of the patent. Hopefully, Enercon will someday have the right to its prior art.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin
by Crazy Horse on Sun Jan 31st, 2010 at 08:04:03 AM EST
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