Wind Energy
Wind energy is as sure as the sun. As long as we have sunshine, we will always have wind on earth. The two are connected. People have used the wind to provide energy for a very long time, ever since there have been windmills and sailing ships. There are a growing number of ways that people are using wind energy as a common sense energy alternative.
The air’s movement (wind) can be collected and used as energy in a wind machine or turbine. It works as follows: When wind moves over airfoil shaped blades, lift is created and the blades turn. This, in turn, can drive a shaft that turns an electric generator to produce electricity.
The faster the wind speed, the more power that can be generated. One disadvantage of relying on wind power is the variation in wind speed. It is not consistent.
There are two factors that increase wind speed. The first favorable condition is altitude. That is why it is important to build the tower for the wind turbine to sit atop 100 feet or more above ground. The air at that height is less turbulent. The second factor which determines wind speed is the number of wind breaks that the wind must travel over. Wind will be faster as it approaches a coastline after traveling over water. It will not be as fast after it has traveled over a mountain range.
You can use this form of energy to pump water very efficiently. In fact, small wind electric pumping systems can pump twice the volume of water for the same start-up cost as a mechanical windmill. Mechanical windmills need to be placed directly above a well, while a small wind electric pumping system can be put where the wind resource is the best. Typically 1-10 kw wind turbines are used to pump water.
In Denmark, currently 20% of that nation’s electrical production is being supplied by wind power. Ninety percent of its citizens want more turbines installed. In Adelaide, Australia, the government has put miniature wind turbines on the rooftops of major government buildings. These two-meter rooftop wind turbines generate 1.5 kw of electricity, which is between one-half and one-third of a household’s electrical needs.
How is wind made?
Wind is created when air moves. Air moves because the earth’s surfaces absorb the heat from the sun at different rates. Air above water heats up more slowly than air above land. The warm air above land expands and rises. The air above water is heavier and cooler and rushes in to take the place of the expanding warmer air, and wind is produced. At night the process is reversed.The air’s movement (wind) can be collected and used as energy in a wind machine or turbine. It works as follows: When wind moves over airfoil shaped blades, lift is created and the blades turn. This, in turn, can drive a shaft that turns an electric generator to produce electricity.
Wind Machines
Wind machines are not always but can be aesthetically beautiful. They are typically tall and span a wide distance so that they can capture more wind.The faster the wind speed, the more power that can be generated. One disadvantage of relying on wind power is the variation in wind speed. It is not consistent.
There are two factors that increase wind speed. The first favorable condition is altitude. That is why it is important to build the tower for the wind turbine to sit atop 100 feet or more above ground. The air at that height is less turbulent. The second factor which determines wind speed is the number of wind breaks that the wind must travel over. Wind will be faster as it approaches a coastline after traveling over water. It will not be as fast after it has traveled over a mountain range.
Does it make sense for the average homeowner?
You can harness wind energy for work. It is increasingly being used to generate electricity and pump water on farms and ranches. But you must live on at least one acre of land with an adequate wind resource. You will need to place a small wind electric system on a tower. One good feature of a wind electric system is that farming activities can continue below the tower undisturbed. The best places to rely on this source of energy are the western Plains states (flat land with not many wind breaks). But moderate to excellent wind resources can be found in most areas of the United States.Are the systems economical?
Wind machines come in two types: horizontal axis and vertical axis. Wind energy is costly to set up, but after the start-up costs of investment and installation, it is one of the lowest cost forms of electricity to maintain. Small wind electric systems are very cost effective. According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, with their use, you can lower your electric bills 50-90%. In fact, if you are in a remote location and it is not feasible to bring electricity to your site through wires from a power plant, a small wind electric system can make this isolated site viable for you as a place to live. You won’t have to pay for the power lines to be extended. In addition, a small wind electric system can be a solution if you experience extended utility outages.You can use this form of energy to pump water very efficiently. In fact, small wind electric pumping systems can pump twice the volume of water for the same start-up cost as a mechanical windmill. Mechanical windmills need to be placed directly above a well, while a small wind electric pumping system can be put where the wind resource is the best. Typically 1-10 kw wind turbines are used to pump water.
Potential uses of wind energy are great
According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, we have the potential--using wind energy--to provide power for the entire United States, if we build enough offshore wind farms. Wind will always be with us; we do not have to create it, like ethanol, for example. It is a very clean energy source.In Denmark, currently 20% of that nation’s electrical production is being supplied by wind power. Ninety percent of its citizens want more turbines installed. In Adelaide, Australia, the government has put miniature wind turbines on the rooftops of major government buildings. These two-meter rooftop wind turbines generate 1.5 kw of electricity, which is between one-half and one-third of a household’s electrical needs.
Pros and Cons of Wind Energy
Pros:- Wind power makes no water or air pollution because no chemical processes are involved.
- It is renewable.
- It is good for remote areas.
- Siting costs are low because wind turbines can coexist with agriculture.
- Wind is unpredictable and not consistent.
- It is not always available.
- Wind speed is a factor in how much electricity is generated, and you cannot always have sufficient speed.
- Wind turbines may affect bird migration and may even be a threat to birds.
- Some land is required to harness the wind resource.
