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Wind energy is a cost effective source
of energy that can never be used up- thus called renewable
energy. Technology for wind energy is growing and the use of
wind turbines has brought to light some of the advantages and
disadvantages of the technology. Wind farms can be considered a
source of income for communities and create little environmental
problems so the industry has advantages that may fuel its
growth.
Wind farms are becoming a more common sight in some areas of the
world. If you have never seen a wind farm, imagine rows of large
poles, rising stories high, situated on top of mountains, in a
large valley, on a desolate shore of a great lake, or even in
the water itself, off an isolated coastline.
Each of these tall structures has a propeller like arrangement
of blades attached to the top of the pole, the blades spinning
in the wind. It is the blade spinning in the wind that creates
this renewable source of energy. The blade spinning rotates a
shaft with in the housing the blades are attached to. This
spinning of the shaft creates mechanical energy to power a
generator which in turn creates electricity. |
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The electricity can then be sent where it is
needed, via power lines, or stored in a battery or series of
batteries. The fact that the wind will always blow means we will
always be able to create energy with wind turbines- thuds it is
a source of renewable energy. The fact that the wind does not
blow all the time means that there are some problems with this
type of energy. There is a need to design more efficient storage
for the power generated so when the wind is not blowing there is
no shortage of electricity.
Other concerns about this type of energy include the fact that
the wind farms can be noisy, and some communities find the sight
of the large structures an eyesore. There is also some concern
for wildlife in the area of wind farms, as there are reported
cases of birds being killed by flying into the blades of these
structures. The fact that many of the isolated windy areas that
would be good places to have wind farms are migratory routes for
birds makes this issue even more important to environmentally
concerned groups and individuals.
Wind farms may be large, with hundreds of blades spinning in the
sky, or small, with a single propeller designed to create enough
electricity to generate power for a single home. Most wind farms
are located in areas with wide open spaces and small
populations. Wind farms create little pollution and are
relatively safe environments for workers. This makes wind farms
an asset to isolated communities, where they can be a source of
good paying jobs, with the building, maintenance and staffing of
these facilities.
For more information:
Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Energy
The Advantages of Wind
Renewable Energy Power |
