Wind Power
What is wind?
The reason wind power works is because of wind. But how exactly does wind work? It’s actually a byproduct of solar power. The sun heats different parts of the earth and at different times. And it’s affected by other elements such as the surface and the time of day or night.
Basically the sun creates heat in different amounts (depending on what time, where and the type of surface). The hot air rises and is replaced by cold air. It’s this switch of hot air to cooler air that creates wind.
This is why certain areas are better suited to using wind turbines then other places.
What is a Wind Turbine?
The concept of wind turbines has actually been around for a long time. They originated from the windmill. These early “wind turbines” were used to pump water or grind grains.
The wind hits the blades of the turbine and turns them. That in turn, turns a generator which generates electricity to use or store. There are a few different kinds of wind turbines.
There is an egg shaped turbine with blade that start from the top of a pole and curve out and then connect to the bottom, essentially making an egg shape, hence the name. The other two are the vertical turbine, which is most commonly known, and the horizontal turbine, which is basically like a helicopter.
The idea is the bigger the blades are the more wind it can catch, which generates more electricity. They need a wind of at least 9 mph to create any sizable amount of electricity.
The way turbines work even just an extra 1 mph wind creates 33% more electricity. So the more wind the better.
The smaller turbines are used in residential areas, while the large ones are used in remote locations.
Benefits of Wind Power
Wind power is a great compliment to solar power. If it’s a cloudy day the wind turbine can produce electricity instead. Even by itself it cuts the cost of electricity down quite a bit if not covering the consumption altogether.
You can even gain a credit on your bills from producing more electricity then what you use. Of course it’s only limited by the wind in your area.
The effects on the environment are slim to none. There are no emissions, little noise, and thanks to technological advances, most turbines are setup to avoid hurting any kind of wildlife, such as birds or bats.
The Costs of Wind Power
Initially the investment can be quite high depending on your usage. But that investment pays for itself in a very short amount of time, simply from the money you save from not using traditional sources. It’s also a competitive market and as time progresses, the prices will drop
Most of the cost is from the machinery of the turbine itself as well as setup. They need to be placed in the right spot and the right angles to catch the most wind efficiently. This is a job for a professional.
These are the basics of wind power and how they can be of benefit. It’s a very effective source of energy that is slowly becoming a mainstay in saving energy. As time goes by, wind turbines (and solar power) will create a much more efficient use of energy both for us and the planet we live on.
Thanks for reading!
