Wind Energy, Power, and Turbines

The world’s overuse of fossil fuels has come into full light. Fossil fuels are not only becoming rapidly depleted but are causing what may be irreversible damage to the planet. Society is quickly realizing the need for clean energy alternatives. Technology is turning towards nature to provide safe, renewable options.

Among these technologies wind power is quickly proving to be an affordable, everlasting option. Wind power is actually a form of solar power because wind comes from the heat generated by the sun. As the earth’s surface heats in some areas the hot air rises decreasing the pressure in the atmosphere, drawing cool air in quickly to replace it. This is wind.

Wind power is harnessed via kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is energy created by movement (or mass in motion.) The movement of the air pushes blades on a windmill or wind turbine. A wind turbine, or, windmill uses the movement of its blades to cause a mechanical action, such as the turning of a crank. Windmills are generally used to power a piece of machinery.

The movement of blades on a wind turbine turns a shaft connected to a generator which produces energy. Wind turbines produce energy that is used in another location. Wind power requires no combustion or manipulation of hazardous materials and doesn’t cause soil, air, or water pollution.

A wind turbine can be a single tower used to power just a few homes or buildings. It can also be connected to a utility gird to add supplemental power. A completely green energy system can be set up using a wind turbine or two in combination with a solar system.

In order for wind to be used in a utility application a number of turbines are grouped together in wind farms. The turbines are attached to towers that stand one hundred feet or more off of the ground, where wind is faster and less turbulent. The blades of a turbine operate like the wings of an airplane, using the principles of lift and drag.

Wind farms must be located on a large tract of land or along coastlines. This can cause conflict with the agricultural and urban development industries. New ideas are emerging today that consider using existing structures- such as power line posts- for placement of turbines. This frees up land for agricultural use and makes use of current structures instead of building new towers.

Wind power can be stored for use in times of lesser winds. It’s totally natural and virtually inexhaustible.  The improvements in technology are also making wind power more and more affordable.

Many homeowners are seeing dramatic reductions in their utility bills through the installation of wind and solar systems. Some have even been able to completely disconnect from their city or state’s utility grids. Those who are still on the grid and producing excess energy may be able to sell that energy to the power companies if they have net metering.

If saving money on utility bills weren’t a big enough motivator, then the safety of the environment should be. Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels is critical for the survival of the planet. Never before has our ecosystem been on such a tipping point. Global warming is threatening to completely change our weather systems and rearrange the face of the planet.

Wind power is a clean alternative to the noxious fumes produced from coal. The cost of installing a turbine usually pays itself off in just a few years. With such an accessible and endless supply of energy it would be just plain imprudent to ignore it’s possibilities.

 

 

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