Wind
Wind
energy converts kinetic energy that is present in the wind into
more useful forms of energy such as mechanical energy or
electricity. Wind energy is a pollution-free, infinitely
sustainable form of energy. It doesn’t use fuel; it doesn’t
produce greenhouse gasses, and it doesn’t produce toxic or
radioactive waste.
Windmills that were used to grind grain are an example of early uses
of wind energy. Modern uses of wind energy include generation of
electricity and pumping water. Current wind energy machines are
called "wind turbine generators", "wind pumps", or more generally,
"wind turbines".
The history of wind energy
Humans
have used wind energy for thousands of years. Ancient Persians used
wind energy to pump water before the birth of Christ. The world was
explored by wind-driven ships long before engines were invented. As
recently as the 1920s, over a million wind turbines pumped water and
provided electricity to farms in North America.
The
current interest in wind energy was started by the need to develop
clean, sustainable energy systems that can be relied on for the
long-term future. Modern aerodynamics and engineering have improved
wind turbines. They now provide reliable, cost-effective,
pollution-free energy for individual, community, and national
applications.
The nature of wind energy
Wind
energy is the kinetic energy that is present in moving air. The
amount of potential energy depends mainly on wind speed, but is also
affected slightly by the density of the air, which is determined by
the air temperature, barometric pressure, and altitude.
For any
wind turbine, the power and energy output increases dramatically as
the wind speed increases. Therefore, the most cost-effective wind
turbines are located in the windiest areas. Wind speed is affected
by the local terrain and increases with height above the ground, so
wind turbines are usually mounted on tall towers.
The costs of wind energy
The
cost of wind energy is determined by:
◦
the
initial cost of the wind turbine installation
◦
the
interest rate on the money invested
◦
the amount
of energy produced
Any wind turbine that is installed in a very windy
area generates less expensive electricity than the same unit
installed in a less windy area. So it’s important to assess the wind
at the potential site.
Modern
wind turbine generators cost between $1500 and $2000 per kilowatt
for wind farms that use multiple-unit arrays of large machines.
Smaller individual units cost up to $3000 per kilowatt. In good wind
areas, the costs of generating electricity range between five and
ten cents per kilowatt hour. That cost is somewhat higher than the
costs associated with an electrical facility, but wind energy costs
are decreasing every year, whereas most conventional generation
costs continue to increase.
In
remote areas, generating electricity with diesel generators can
range from $0.25 to $1.00 per kilowatt hour. So in good wind areas,
electricity that is generated by the wind is clearly cost effective.
When compared to the money that is charged by electrical companies,
wind energy costs are nearly competitive. And that is without
accounting for the environmental and health benefits of using a
non-polluting source of energy.
Using wind energy around
the world
The use
of wind turbine generators is growing around the world. In terms of
installation and operation worldwide, the wind power industry now
turns over more than 9 billion USD. At the end of 2004, 47,000
megawatts of wind-generated electricity produced some 92 TWh of
electricity. That is sufficient energy for the electricity needs of
Portugal and Greece combined.
2005
was a record year for new installed capacity in Canada. As of April
2006 Canada’s installed wind energy capacity was 944 MW, enough to
power more than 280,000 homes.
The
benefits of wind energy
◦
Wind
energy is an ideal renewable energy because:
◦
it is a
pollution-free, infinitely sustainable form of energy
◦
it doesn’t
require fuel
◦
it doesn’t
create greenhouse gasses
◦
it doesn’t
produce toxic or radioactive waste.
◦
Wind
energy is quiet and does not present any significant hazard to birds
or other wildlife.
◦
When large
arrays of wind turbines are installed on farmland, only about 2% of
the land area is required for the wind turbines. The rest is
available for farming, livestock, and other uses.
◦
Landowners
often receive payment for the use of their land, which enhances
their income and increases the value of the land.
◦
Ownership
of wind turbine generators by individuals and the community allows
people to participate directly in the preservation of our
environment.
◦
Each
megawatt-hour of electricity that is generated by wind energy helps
to reduce the 0.8 to 0.9 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions that are
produced by coal or diesel fuel generation each year.
Source:
The above article is
courtesy of the Natural Resources Canada. To view the full
publication, follow this link -
http://canren.gc.ca/tech_appl/index.asp?CaId=6&PgId=232
Images courtesy of their respective owners.
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