Wind Energy | Renewable Energy: Eco20/20

Wind Energy: Renewable Energy

Wind power is a great alternative to fossil fuels and must be considered a viable energy source. Wind is harnessed and converted to energy by the use of power turbines. When turbines rotate they produce electricity.

The faster they rotate, the more electricity is harnessed. Costs are being lowered, development is expanding and products are revealed daily. There are many benefits to wind power. Wind turbines are in use all around the world and have been used in Europe for a long time.

There are many ways that wind can be used; it is not only wind farms. Windmills have been in use for quite some time. There are advantages and disadvantages to wind. Some aspects of wind that are problematic involve the storage of wind energy. Additionally, when there is no wind, there is no energy.

The United States government is determined to be independent of fossil fuels. According to the U.S. Department of Energy; in 2005, the United States installed more wind energy capacity than any other country in the world. We are at the cusp of energy independence and clean renewable energy. This is an amazing accomplishment and we encourage them to go further. The database of state incentives for renewable and efficiency have no less than 15 grant or tax incentives for businesses to become more energy efficient and cleaner. Government is increasing clean, renewable energy at a steady pace.

There are many things the public can do to help. There is money available for businesses that wish to become more energy efficient. There are tax breaks for individuals as well. Ask your accountant about residential energy credits. Refunds are available for making homes more energy efficient. The more energy technology we develop, the more affordable it will become to buy clean energy.

Wind Energy Solutions

There are three advantages to wind power energy. First, it is clean, because it fueled by wind. It does not pollute the air like fossil fuels. Wind turbines don't produce atmospheric emissions that cause acid rain or greenhouse gasses. The second advantage is that wind energy is renewable. It relies on the renewable power of the wind, which can't be used up. Third, it is cost effective. Wind energy is one of the lowest-priced renewable energy technologies available today, costing between 4 to 6 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Wind turbines can be built on farms or ranches, thus benefiting the economy in rural areas. Farmers and ranchers can continue to work the land because wind turbines use only a fraction of the land. Wind power plant owners make rent payments to farmers or ranchers for the use of the land. In today's economy, United States farmers need financial help. Green energy can have a huge financial boost to farmers. The efficiency of wind turbines now makes wind priced competitively with other energy sources. This means cleaner air. There are more ways to produce energy then just having wind farms. We are now able to have wind turbines run our houses. These are expensive for already existing buildings. They are more cost effective to have installed from the beginning.

Wind Speed in Your Area

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Wind Energy Issues

There are some legitimate disadvantages to wind power energy. Wind is sustainable only in areas with a high wind velocity. There are many maps of high wind areas within the United States. The cost of wind power has decreased dramatically in the past 10 years, but there are higher initial investments than fossil-fueled generators.

The major challenge in using wind as a source of power is that it is intermittent and does not always blow when electricity is needed. Wind energy cannot be stored unless batteries are used. Good wind sites are often located in remote locations, far from cities where the electricity is needed.

Another factor to consider is the negative affect on wildlife. Many environmental groups have expressed concern and opposition to certain wind farms primarily due to the many deaths of birds of prey and bats. Vibrations of wind farm motors may also interfere with the sonar of whales when placed off shore.