Wind Turbines Essay

Wind energy is a clean, alternative source of energy that does not produce greenhouse gas emissions and can be produced domestically. While wind energy accounts for a small overall portion of the energy produced in the United States, the potential for wind energy is significant. Nevertheless, there are some obstacles that delay the widespread use of this technology, including intermittency of wind, cost, and public policies that deter their implementation.

Wind energy is clean and renewable. The wind is never going to stop blowing; therefore, there will always be enough to keep the turbines going. While some areas may have more wind than others, there is always wind. Wind turbines do not produce any pollution or waste, making them one of the cleanest energy sources on the planet. However, environmentalists are concerned that with the increase of wind turbines, bird populations with decrease because they are getting hit by the wind turbines and dying. Because of the huge poles in the ground, turbines can cause erosion and disrupt wildlife habitats. Wind turbines are also huge; at 30 meters (100 feet) above the ground, with large spinning blades, they can be a bit of an eyesore. They are also loud and have a deep buffeting sound. But the idea is that the large wind farms will be located in the middle of nowhere so they don’t cause an issue in suburban areas. Small wind turbines may be located in backyards to feed houses directly, but these would be so small that they wouldn’t bother any

In recent years, China has surpassed the United States for wind energy production. Due to this, many believe that at this rate, it seems that they will dominate and revolutionize the future of the wind energy industry. In the past couple of years, the United States has been the leader in wind energy production. However, in 2011, China surpassed the United States, and is expected to dominate wind energy in the future due to its many positive aspects and various benefits. Although many people support the idea of wind energy in China, they often question to which category this form of energy belongs to, and what it actually is. Wind falls under the category of green energy, which is usually defined as energy that can be produced in a way that protects the natural environment. Wind energy has many reasons that makes it an ideal source of energy because they are clean, efficient, and endless forms of energy. However, some are against this form of energy because the turbines can be a threat to wildlife, and can disrupt neighboring communities. Even though people may think that wind power has a bad influence on communities and habitats, it is beneficial because it creates less pollution, produces a large amount of energy, and helps create various business and political opportunities.

One downfall to this form of renewable energy is the threat to birds and bats. The large blades that turn could potentially hit any flying species, causing death. Another small but still negative impact is the placement of wind farms. Wind turbines take up a sizeable amount of land, and when there is more than one in a single area, clearing may need to occur. Also, roads need to be made for workers to access the wind farms. Despite these small environmental impacts, the overall purpose of the wind turbine does enough good for the energy source to almost cancel out these

We are facing an energy crisis on Earth. Burning fossil fuels are harming the atmosphere; this global warming and affects produces chemicals that hurt our body. People are starting to think about using alternative energy. Wind power would be our first choice, because it’s clean, inexhaustible and renewable. Today, wind power is mainly used in Europe. We believed wind power would be the main source of alternative energy for world use.

In order to decrease our use of energy and impact on the environment, we must become consciously aware of our consumption. However, these problems extend far beyond wind energy alone. This is why I believe a reformation of mentality in society, as a whole, will be most beneficial. While this movement may be difficult to accomplish, I do not think it is impossible. It must start with finding a genuine concern for the environment as exemplified in biocentrism. This must from the free will of humans, for this transformation will not be effective otherwise. In order to accomplish this growth in concern, previous utilitarian and anthropocentric ways must be disposed of. Western society must realize that in order to protect nature, we may have to compromise. This could mean a sacrifice on our part. In the case of wind power, this sacrifice would be curbing energy usage and possibly profit reduction. As Paul Taylor stated, “to fulfill the duties of environmental ethics does involve at times a sacrifice of at least some human interests” (Taylor, 10). This is an influential point in support of obtaining biocentrism and rejecting utilitarianism and

Wind Energy is a viable industry that has become a valuable energy source. The energy generated from wind is clean and efficient. The wind energy industry helps to ensure that electric demands are met, wildlife impact is minimal, the environment is not devastated, as well as creates new jobs during the construction of wind farms, daily operations, manufacturing components, and exporting components to foreign countries.

“Environmentalists have long argued that renewable energy sources . . . are preferable to fossil fuels,” says H. Sterling Burnett ([1-2]). Environmentalists have long promoted alternative energy sources, especially wind energy. Debra A. Miller says “wind is the most promising alternative source of energy” (56). One author wrote “development of 10% of the wind potential in the 10 windiest U.S. states would provide more than enough energy to displace emissions from the nation’s coal-fired power plants and eliminate the nation’s major source of acid rain” (Kaleen 71). Understanding how the wind is turned into electricity will assist in our comprehending why environmentalists place such value in wind energy. How Is Electricity Generated gives a detailed description of how the wind is converted into electricity. The first step entails the wind turning the blades and generating energy. The second step consists of the spinning blades turning along with the blades. The spinning blades are attached to a hub, and a low-speed shaft that is connected to a gear box that connects to a high-speed shaft. The third step consists of attaching the high-speed shaft connected to an electrical generator to convert the mechanical energy into electricity ([1]). James Taylor says that once electricity has been produced, it is then transmitted to population centers via expensive transmission lines ([2]). With all these supports in favor of using wind energy, environmentalists fail to recognize the

DESIGN AND SURFACE MODIFICATION OF WIND TURBINE BLADE USING ANALYTICAL AS WELL AS VIRTUAL METHOD

Renewable energy is an alternative to fossil fuels and nuclear power, and was commonly called alternative energy in the 1970s and 1980s. Scientists have advanced a plan to power 100% of the world's energy with wind, hydroelectric, and solar power by the year 2030. I am writing this paper about Alternative Renewable Energy I have chosen to write about Windmills or Wind Turbines, this is the future in power generation if we want to continue life as we know it with plenty of electricity to spare. I will discuss both land windmills and offshore windmills a great alternative to fossil fuels. Most people around the world know we need alternative energy sources. It does not matter if the driving force

Within this paper I wish to address two audiences, the first is best described as local homeowners who are presently in the vicinity of windmills or who will be in the future, and are somewhat skeptical of this renewable energy source. The second group that I wish to address are those who are deemed to be environmentalists, who have a very strong faith in wind energy and other forms of renewables. Since these two audiences can be quite different the way in which I address concerns are going to have to be comprehensive to both.

Harnessing the natural power of the wind is by no means a new concept. Asides from sailing, wind power has been utilised for many thousands of years, principally for agricultural purposes. Basic windmills are thought to have been used in Persia (now Iran) as early as the 7th century AD. Their ability to make use of otherwise untapped energy sources without the needs and costs of other alternatives, ensured that they remained the machines of preference in several industries throughout both agricultural and industrial revolutions.

If companies or subsidies are going to develop these wind farms, they are going to do it where there will be wind all year long. Imagine spending millions of dollars for a project to produce energy and there be no wind to power these turbines. There is a lot of speculation when building these plants do to the location and to make sure they will be able to be operated. That is the risk we take with wind power is the actual wind being there for us. If we develop these plants correctly in states and areas that have enough wind energy to provide for operation of the turbines, we would be only be helping the our climate. With the need to help our climate and emission levels, wind power is the one of the cleanest ways to produce energy.

“According to the U.S. Department of Energy , In 1990, California’s wind power plants offset the emission of more than 2.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide, and 15 million pounds of other pollutants that would have otherwise been produced” (Wind). However, there are concerns about the noise that is produced from the blades, and the fact that birds, or other small flying animals can fly into the blades and die. Another small issue with wind power is that it is often available only in remote or offshore locations. As a whole, these concerns are minimal compared to the benefits that can be reaped.

Wind power is a clean and renewable energy that, while at times unreliable, has very low upkeep cost and is growing at a rapid rate. While there is currently enough wind power to provide many times our current energy need, it is unfeasible in reality. Wind power utilizes the kinetic energy of air and uses it to power a generator to produce electricity. Even though dependence on wind power is impossible, it still can provide a strong, clean, quantity of power to supplement current energy production.