Turbine Driven Wind Power
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy by wind turbines into a useful form, such as electricity or mechanical energy. A wind farm installed on agricultural land has one of the lowest environmental impacts of all energy sources. Historically wind power has been used directly to convert into mechanical energy for pumping water or grinding grain, however, today the main application of wind energy is to produce electricity. Large-scale wind farms are typically connected to the local power transmission network with small turbines are used to provide electricity to isolated areas. Residential units are entering production and are are capable of powering large appliances to entire houses depending on the size. Rooftop units are becoming increasingly popular and are commonly found on self-sustaining sailboats. Utility companies are increasingly encouraged to buy surplus electricity produced by small domestic wind turbines, with new wind farms cropping up all over the world. Wind power as an energy source is favored by many environmentalists as an alternative to fossil fuels, as it is abundant, clean, renewable, has a wide distribution, and produces lower emissions of greenhouse gases.
Wind power consumes no fuel for the operation, and has no emissions directly related to the production of electricity. The transaction does not produce carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, mercury, particulate matter, or any other type of air pollution, as do fossil fuel energy sources. Aeolian consume resources in manufacturing and construction. During the manufacture of the turbine, steel, concrete, aluminum and other materials will be made using the transport and energy processes, generally using fossil fuels. The first carbon dioxide emissions "reimbursement" is claimed by one company to be in about 9 months of operation of turbines at sea and the British Wind Energy Association calls on the average wind farm will repay the energy used in its manufacture in 3-5 months of operation. A shorter period for installations at sea was given to the higher capacity factors should more than offset energy costs added to the facility.
Wind power can be predicted for a location with a high degree of accuracy, although all the energy of the wind flowing past a given point can be recovered. The Earth is unevenly heated by the sun resulting in the equator receiving more energy than the poles. Additionally, the dry land heats up and cools down more quickly than the seas do. The heating differential drives a global atmospheric convection system reaching from the Earth's surface to the stratosphere, which acts as a virtual ceiling. Most of the energy produced from these wind movements can be found at high altitudes where continuous wind speeds of over 160 km/h (100 mph) occur (think about tailwinds when flying). Eventually, the wind energy is converted into diffuse heat throughout the Earth's surface and the atmosphere.
Besides aesthetics, danger to birds is often the main complaint against the installation of a wind turbine, however, studies show that the number of birds killed by wind turbines is negligible compared to the number who die as a result of other human activities such as trafficking, hunting, power lines and buildings high and especially the environmental impacts of using non-clean energy sources. It is estimated that approximately one bird is killed per turbine, per year and wind power generation has been endorsed by The Audubon Society.
Migratory species of bats appear to be particularly at risk, particularly during periods of a movement (especially in spring and autumn), however, very little is know about bat populations and flight habits around turbines. Lasiurines such as the hoary bat, red bat, and silver-hair bats seem to be more vulnerable to sites in North America.
Advantages to Wind Turbine Power Generation:
- Wind energy is eco-friendly and renewable. No fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity from wind energy so it is better for the environment.
- Wind power technologies are making wind energy much more efficient and easier to produce.
- Wind turbines take up less space than the average power station. Windmills only have to occupy a few square meters for the base, this allows the land around the turbine to be used for many purposes such as grazing or agriculture.
- When combined with solar electricity, this energy source is a great way for combine renewable energy sources to allow for a reliable supply of electricity.
- Wind turbines are a great resource to generate energy in remote locations, developing countries without power grids, mountain communities and remote countryside's. Turbines are available in a range sizes, and can be combined in order to support varying population levels.
Disadvantages to Wind Power Generation:
- The main disadvantage of wind power generation is the reliability of constant wind. In many areas, the winds strength is too low to support a wind turbine or wind farm. Good alternatives for these areas would be Photovoltaic solar power, or possibly biomass or geothermal.
- Wind turbine construction can have a large initial investment and expensive build process.
- The noise pollution from large commercial wind turbines is sometimes similar to a small jet engine. For residential areas and populated areas, this can pose an issue.
- Wind turbines generally produce less electricity than a traditional power station using fossil fuel generation, so multiple turbines would need to be combined to match the overall power output.
- Aesthetics are a high-profile adversary to many wind projects. Since they can be quite conspicuous and are generally installed on flat or slightly sloped areas, they can be very noticeable.