Research fuels wind, solar technologies

Wind energy is the next big bet in the United States for the production of clean energy and, because of it, researchers across the state have invested much time and money into making wind turbines efficient, cost-effective and easy to hook up to the nation’s existing power grid system.

At last count, wind energy accounted for 4 percent of energy consumption in the United States. In Colorado, it makes up 11.3 percent of electricity production, according to the American Wind Energy Association. For renewable energies, that means it has arrived.

Solar also is making some headway.…