Environment Environment

Renewable Energy - The Power of Wind

Family-tips.info
Relationships24.info
Webmasters-xxl.com
Beautystar.info
Travel-tips.biz
 
A Great Bubbling: Economics Of Oil Prices
The world will never be quite the same. High oil prices are not only changing the political and economic landscapes but they could also change energy itself, because they are stimulating the most widespread drive for technological innovation this sector has ever seen. The political shifts are striking, wherever you look. Russia... Read more


 Home | Environment

Renewable Energy - The Power of Wind

This Environment Article is Brought To You By - Matthew Hick

The power of wind can be used to provide energy for people across the world, no matter where they live.

You see a sailboat gliding across the ocean pushed by its harmless wafts, you get some relief on a hot day from it's gentle breeze and a pinwheel starts spinning to a youngsters delight from it's puff of air. There are also cases of umbrellas being turned inside out, shingles being blown off rooftops and tornados causing ruins from its strong gusts. By using it to our advantage, we can turn it into a renewable source of energy, which will not cause pollution and will produce a clean energy alternative to harmful fossil fuels.

Wind energy has existed through time. Ancient peoples used it for sailing ships, grinding wheat and pumping water. Today, wind energy is the world's fastest-growing energy source and we are able to use it to produce electricity. This source of energy is a renewable resource that became popular during the oil crisis of the 70's.

Wind energy is captured through the use of wind turbine machines. There are two types that are available. The horizontal axis machine consists of propellers with three blades. It is usually around 20 stories tall and 200 feet wide. The vertical axis machine consists of blades that go from bottom to top. They are 100 feet tall and 50 feet wide. Propellers on wind turbines are large so as to capture a great volume of air. They can be angled or turned to face the wind for maximum effect.

The machines work by using the blades to hold the wind's kinetic energy. The wind turns the blade. The blade is connected to a drive shaft that turns a generator to produce electricity. Wind turbines need wind speeds over 12 miles/hour to be successful. When winds get too high the turbines are able to keep the blades from being damaged and turning too fast through the use of a brake.

Wind power plants consist of about a dozen wind turbines machines and are called wind farms. These farms are owned and operated by businessmen known as Independent Power Producers. The electricity produced on a wind farm is collected and transmitted through long distance high power lines. It is important to locate these farms in ideal areas where the most wind can be captured. This is why you will find them located in high altitudes and open areas such as hilltops, open plains and shorelines.

The advantages to wind power are many. It is a clean form of energy that is non-polluting and does not produce global warming effects. Although large, it allows for land use under the wind turbines for farming. Some disadvantages are it can have a damaging effect on the wild bird population. Also, some people consider them eyesores.

As new technologies emerge, wind power will become a more cost effective source of energy. The government currently issues tax credits for its use and there are green pricing programs available. There is also a renewed concern for the environmental damage that the uses of fossil fuels create. As we search for an alternative to fossil fuels, the answer to our energy problems may just be blowing in the wind.

  • Environment Products on our marketplace

  • More Wind Renewable Energy Articles at http://www.RenewableEnergy-Today.com. Learn how to operate a Successful Niche Website Network with eWebCreator, profitable Adsense Software
    ***

  • Solar Renewable Energy - Sun Power
    It is no secret that the sun can be harnessed to provide a source of energy for homes and businesses. The sun is a powerful star. It supplies us with energy, through a process called nuclear fusion, and sustains life on our p...
  • Renewable Energy Careers - Challenging and Satisfying
    If you are interested in an exciting career, one choice may be a career in the field of renewable energy. Finding resources for generations to come can be both challenging and satisfying. If you're looking into this area of ...
  • Renewable Energy - Sources That Never Get Exhausted
    Fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal are used around the world as primary sources of energy. Because they are being used up much faster than they can be renewed, they are known as nonrenewable sources. Nonrenewable...
  • Monaco Goes Green Home & Away
    Monaco has launched a radical transport plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions. One of the first acts Prince Albert took when succeeding to the throne upon his father's death in April 2005 was to sign the Kyoto Protocol. Alo...
  • Plus Points For Organic Gardening
    Organic gardening is the way of growing vegetables and fruits with the use of things only found in nature. Why would one want to indulge in organic gardening? 1.One can easily make compost from garden and kitchen waste. Tho...
  • Eco-friendly Paper Boom
    Handmade Paper Journey from Valley to the Peak the Indians is said to hold the credit of having used paper from cellulose fibers during third century BC. Skilled Indian makers use a variety of raw materials for making handmade p...
  • © 2008 Article24.info All Rights Reserved.