About Wind Generator Towers

Fossil fuels are becoming expensive and slowly depleting, causing the United States to look towards alternative energy options. One of these options involves harnessing energy from the wind using wind generator towers. Understanding the function and risks that go along with these towers can help you decide what future energy resources to support.

Function

Wind generator towers harness the wind using large blades that spin on a tower. There are typically three blades that spin and those blades are connected to a turbine. The turbine spins and powers an electric generator that sends power down through the tower and into a power grid connection. The blades of the turbine spin whichever way the wind is blowing, so they are not limited in the power that they harness from the wind.

Types

The most common wind generating tower is a horizontal-axis win turbine. These turbines only capture horizontally flowing winds, but the format is the most efficient. Vertical-axis wind towers use curved blades and rotate in all directions to capture wind power. One of the first vertical-axis wind towers was used in Quebec from 1988 through 1993.

Size

Wind generator towers can be as small as a television satellite dish or taller than a large home. The smaller sized wind generators are used to power small things in homes like the lighting and appliances. Larger wind turbines can provide power for multiple homes. The best location for a wind generator tower is up on a large mountain or just off of the coast. Here you can find the best winds and capture the most power for turbines. Wind generators are grouped together to form large "wind farms" and many of these farms can be found in California.

Benefits

Wind is a renewable resource, unlike fossil fuels like coal, so is a constant supply of wind. Using wind generator towers also emits no CO2 into the air, helping maintain a healthy environment and steering away from global warming harm. If the generators are efficiently used then they are also cost effective when compared to our current power sources.

Effects

Wind generating towers also have negative effects. The large blades can cause harm to wildlife, specifically groups of migrating birds that get caught in-between the fast moving blades. The blades are also placed in locations like mountains and near the sea shore, so they would cause a lot of eye pollution for people wanting to see nature.

Resources

• Wind Energy FAQs