Where Does Wind Energy Come from?

As scientists search for energy alternatives, one of the many options is wind energy. Just like any other energy, wind power must be harnessed and controlled to provide power. This process is easy to understand, and there are several benefits associated with it that makes wind power a viable source for our future energy needs.

Identification

Energy from wind is created by turbines. Wind turbines are large poles that feature a three-bladed turning mechanism that is rotated by the wind. The blades are connected to a turbine that also spins and controls a generator that releases electricity using a magnetic mechanism and large-wire brushes.

Size

You can get small wind turbines that can power the lights and other things your home, but most wind turbines are larger and used for multiple buildings. For example, wind turbines that have been proposed for the Cape Wind Project measure 250 feet tall with the blades as long as 75 feet.

Wind turbines can also take up a good amount of space and need enough room for clearance from each other. Many are usually grouped into a wind turbine farm that provides a huge amount of power to given areas.

Benefits

When compared to a coal-burning plant that provides energy, wind turbines are actually cost-competitive. Wind is also a renewable resource, meaning that it cannot go away. Wind turbines have a 30-year lifetime.

Geography

To get the best wind energy, put the turbines in an ideal location. Scientists classify areas by "Average Wind Speed." A "good" wind speed will be around 7m/s, and a "superb" wind speed is more than 8.8m/s. Some of the best spots to capture wind energy are high up on mountain ridges or a couple of miles offshore on the ocean.

Considerations

Getting wind energy does have some downfalls. In some places, the turbines can move so fast that migrating birds may not see them and get killed by the rotating blades. In colder areas, ice has been known to freeze up on the blades and then fly off, causing potential harm. Because of the size of wind turbines, some people consider them a visual pollution when placed in untouched places of nature, like a mountain.