Tornado Alley (PROG)

[Zorax]

As is with all technology, wind turbines have improved. Mechanically, materially and software wise. Today's systems are far better at monitoring the wind and shutting down when it's economical to reduce wear and likely extend lifetimes.

As DesertDrifter posted, there's quite a few different wind systems out there. Vertical spiral types have been around for decades as well.

I think as solar becomes more robust with newer battery tech as well as wind power the oil companies are looking at an end of the enrichment trough. Although fighting alternative energy 100%, I think big oil and coal are seeing the writings on the wall.
They're trying everything to keep the world dependent on oil while probably trying to buy up solar and wind patents to stop the competition and or buying solar and wind companies in the background. Big oil has to diversify or have their monopolies broken up in the next 10 or 20 years.

Some other sources still being investigated are earth thermal, ocean wave technology, magnetic kinetic energy as well.