‘Big Oil’ Is Big on Wind Energy
One of the lasting impressions from last month’s WINDPOWER 2010 event is the involvement of “Big Oil” in the wind energy industry.
Sure, the trade show booths of ExxonMobil and Shell were in the back corner of the exhibit hall – which suggests they have become exhibitors in recent years and probably decided late to exhibit at this year’s event. But they were there, and their interest in the industry is wider than you might think.
As energy companies, they operate wind farms just like they do oil fields. They also have a significant business in supplying oil-based lubricants to keep the wind turbines turning and all the parts working together.
Fossil fuel may be their bread and butter for a long time, but alternative energy is also on their plates.
