How to Learn About Wind Power: A Viable Source of Renewable Energy

Of all forms of renewable energy, solar and wind power are the two cleanest and most viable for energy production. Wind power harnesses air currents to spin the blades of large turbines, which in turn convert the movement into electricity to power homes and businesses. In this article, we'll take a look at how to learn about wind energy.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. What Is Wind Power? Wind power is a viable form of renewable energy that uses large wind turbines to convert wind into electricity. It is clean, viable, and particularly advantageous in windy areas such as the central plains and West Texas. In these areas, it's not uncommon to see enormous expanses of wind turbines called "wind farms."

2. What's a Wind Turbine? A wind turbine consists of a concrete base, a metal tower that can reach several stories in the air, and enormous metal blades that rotate when the wind catches them. Recently I had the opportunity to stand next to a gigantic 50 megawatt wind turbine, and the experience was amazing. As I gazed up into the deep blue sky and watched the turbine spin intermittently in the gusty wind, the whirring and humming was unmistakable. Walking around the wide base, I inspected the large electrical generation box on the side. It was such an amazing feeling to know that at this very moment, clean, renewable energy was being produced from the cool breezes all around me.

3. Where Is Wind Power Produced? Wind power is produced in areas of the country that are naturally windy. This includes the U.S. central plains, parts of the midwest, and the southwest. For example in Texas, wind power is quickly becoming the new oil boom. Dozens of expansive wind farms boasting up to 500 wind turbines are increasingly cropping up all over the state. West Texas is particularly favored as a prime wind energy locale due to its near-constant 17 mile per hour wind speeds.

4. What Are the Benefits of Wind Energy? According to the American Wind Energy Association, "Wind energy system operations do not generate air or water emissions and do not produce hazardous waste. Nor do they deplete natural resources such as coal, oil, or gas, or cause environmental damage through resource extraction and transportation, or require significant amounts of water during operation. Wind's pollution-free electricity can help reduce the environmental damage caused by power generation in the U.S. and worldwide."

5. What Are the Environmental Impacts of Wind Energy? Indeed, wind energy sounds like a perfect source of renewable energy. But as in all forms of energy production, fossil fuel or renewable, some impact on the environment is felt. The American Wind Energy Association cites mainly local impacts including avian (bird and bat) deaths and erosion. However, with careful planning these impacts can be minimized.

6. Can I Erect a Wind Turbine In My Backyard? Today, you can purchase a 50 to 60-foot wind turbine for personal energy production. However, limitations include noise, asthetics, and rejection of the wind turbine from homeowner's associations (HOA's).

7. What Is the Future of Wind Turbines? In the future, helical wind turbines which are far quieter will find their way near cities and adjacent to people's homes. For more information on helical wind turbines, see the Resource link at the bottom of this article.

Tips & Warnings

• Wind power is growing in popularity as a clean, eco-friendly renewable.
• The ecological impact of wind energy on surrounding areas is minimal, and adding this important renewable to our current energy mix will help America decrease reliance on finite energy derived from fossil fuels.

Resources

• American Wind Energy Association
• American Wind Energy Association: Small Wind Turbines Page
• Inhabitat.com: Examples of Helical Wind Turbines
• New York Times: Homespun Electricity, From the Wind

[GilinAtlanta]

on 12/28/2008 Well written and documented. In my travels from West Texas to California, wind energy is everywhere. There are thousands of windmills along Interstate 10 in the Palm Desert outside Indio, California. We need to harvest the wind and leave the oil tycoons sucking hot air!