Wind
Wind energy is a renewable energy that harnesses energy generated by wind through the use of wind turbines that convert it into it into electricity. Wind technically comes from the sun as a by-product of differences in temperature. Wind is generated from the uneven heating of the atmosphere, mountains, valleys, and the planets revolution around the sun.
Since wind turbines themselves run strictly on the power of wind, there is no need for additional fuel. This also reduces the overall cost to continue to run large-scale wind farms in comparison to other forms renewable energies.
There are two type of wind energy systems:
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Vertical axis turbines
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Horizontal axis turbines
Horizontal Axis Turbines
Horizontal axis turbines are generally what we think of with wind turbines. These turbines are very large and can generate a great deal of electricity.
1) Dangerous to Some Wildlife
Wind turbines are known to pose a threat to the wildlife, specifically flying birds whose habitats or migratory paths could be injured or killed if they run into the blades. This is a controversial subject at wind farm sites.
2) One of the Cleanest Forms of Energy
Since wind energy doesn’t rely on fossil fuels to power the turbines, wind energy does not contribute to climate change by emitting greenhouse gases during energy production.
3) Advances in Technology
The latest advances in technology have transformed preliminary wind turbine designs into extremely efficient energy harvesters. Turbines are available in a wide range of sizes, increasing the market to many different types businesses.
4) Doesn’t Disrupt Farmland Operations
Energy suppliers can build their wind turbines on pre-existing farmland and pay the farm owners to build on their property in the form of contracts or leases. This is a great boon to farmers who can use some extra income, and it wind turbine footprints take up very little space at the ground level.
5) Noisy
Wind turbines can be quite noisy, which is why they’re mostly found in very rural areas where most people don’t live. Depending on the location of the turbine, such as offshore, noise isn’t an issue.
6) Expensive Upfront Cost
These horizontal axis wind turbines are massive structures, often hundreds of feet tall and require substantial upfront investment. The placement of wind turbines in rural areas requires further investment in underground lines to send power to more populated areas like towns and cities where it’s needed. The majority of the cost is the initial installation and building stage, but after that, wind energy produces an endless supply of energy as long as there is wind.
7) Unreliable/Unpredictable
Wind energy suffers from what is called intermittency, which is a disruption caused by the inconsistency of the wind itself. Since wind can blow at various speeds, it’s hard to predict the amount of energy it can collect at a given time. This means suppliers and cities need to have an energy reserve or alternative sources of power in case the winds die down for longer lengths of time.
Vertical Axis Turbines
Vertical axis turbines differ from horizontal axis turbines in that they are designed for the urban environment. These systems are typically two cubic meters with one side open to the wind. The fan blades are oriented on a vertical axis similar to a top loading clothes washer. These turbines are installed on the windward side of a building.
These systems address a number of disadvantages of the horizontal axis turbines, but do not generate as much electricity energy. Further the wind is often disrupted by surface obstacles such as trees and buildings making energy capture more challenging and less predictable.