Wind Power Technologies both Big and Small
Filed Under (wind power) by cheryl on 26-08-2008
Tagged Under : Add new tag, home wind power, wind farms, wind power, wind turbines
Wind power, with its economy of scale and a price tag in the range of more conventional electric sources, is in use all over the world to generate the electricity that powers our lives. Centuries ago, windmills were used for mechanical power to pump water from wells and grind wheat to flour. This is an already practical and affordable alternative energy source that is currently quite underutilized.
Although wind can never completely replace our energy consumption needs, this resource can serve a very healthy percentage of the world’s energy needs. More efficient large scale wind farms are being erected through out the U.S., although many consumers in areas slated for development object related to its impact on the environment, the view, and local birdlife. Most objections come from areas of extreme natural beauty where the huge towers detract from the scenery.
Unfortunately, many of these vast open areas are just the type of landscape that produces an excellent wind harvest so a careful weighing of wind power pros and cons is essential. Offshore wind farms are becoming more prominent in Europe and can present another option for the U.S. market as well. Even with objections,the wind is a renewable resource with an almost negligible impact on the Earth when compared to the polluting fossil fuels of coal and oil.
Down Home Wind
Smaller home wind power turbines are growing in popularity across the United States. Wind power generators built for the individual home, farm, or small business enterprise have seen a rapid increase in sales over the last ten years. The non-profit American Wind Energy Organization, with its website at www.awea.org, is an excellent source for current information, as well as resources for the consumer interested in the advantages of wind power generation for the individual.
These ‘Small Wind’ turbines range up to 100 kilowatts in capacity. The industry is predicted to increase by around 20% by the year 2010 and the United States is the biggest by far manufacturer of small wind turbines. Plenty of land area is needed for these turbines and they are frequently used on farms and homes with large open grounds. Entrepreneurs are busy developing wind power turbines that can harness winds in city areas and more congested suburban areas. Use of wind mill power to pump wells is on the rise again, giving homeowners even more efficiency out of their turbines.
Home wind power is a great way to lower electricity costs, become free from dependence on big utility companies, and avoid unpredictable spikes in energy costs so common with oil industry.
[...] using photovoltaic energy is highly recommended and can even be used along with hydroelectric or wind power. PV has also been used to power boats and cars, making this a high potential alternative energy [...]