WIND ENERGY
(Turbines)
How it works.
The Wind’s kinetic energy is harnessed by wind turbines. The blades turn from the wind’s movement, the energy is transferred into the central hub generator. The generator then converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy which is sent to the power grid.
Cost of wind harnessing.
The cost of wind energy has come down 85 percent in America. Wind farms are excellent sources that cost an average of 7 cents per kilowatt hour. The wind is cost competitive to non-hydroelectric renewable electricity.
Advantages
o Wind energy produces no pollution or emissions that cause global warming.
o Turbines use free, inexhaustible fuel and is not affected by fossil fuel pricing
o Wind farms can be built in the time it takes to construct a coal/natural gas power plat
o 50 megawatt wind farm can be completed in less than a year
o Takes three to eight months to balance out the amount of energy taken to build and install the turbines meaning it is one of the fastest “energy payback times”
o Bird and bat safety are concerns to the migration, however wind power does not contribute to other environmental concerns like fossil fuel disadvantages of acid rain, mercury in fish
o Consumes no water in terms of sustainability it is a viable source
Future of wind energy.
o New technologies are developing, creating more efficient turbine designs and new blade designs that harness more wind
o New power grids allow for the better use of energy and will minimize the impact of the transmission lines needed to deliver wind power to cities
o Costs will lower and will wind farms will expand to meet energy demands
o Clean renewable energy and can provide a more stable framework needed
o Bird and bat safety will be addressed to locate farms to prevent harming flight patterns to avoid migration routes
o
Wind energy is an affordable, efficient, and abundant source of domestic electricity. It remains pollution free and still costs the same as coal and gas fired power plants. The wind industry is growing rapidly and holds a steady income with related careers: investors, land owners, manufacturers, construction workers, operation jobs. A 250MV wind farm with 100 turbines creates over 100 jobs. Turbines can generate electricity to power homes and is currently providing a large percentage of the nation’s electricity. Transmission sites however need to be located carefully to minimize impact on wildlife and landscapes.
6 Magazine / April, 2013