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Wind Energy Discussion
--contributed by melmacc
It cannot be denied that we live in a world of heightened energy needs amidst an energy crisis. The United States must overcome many hurdles in order to meet its present-day energy needs. Natural gas and gasoline prices are soaring, electricity supplies are falling, and the security of our domestic energy infrastructure is causing concern. There is a need for alternative energy sources if we wish to build a stabile and reliable energy sector.
Wind has been used as a source for energy for many years. Since industrialization, demand for wind energy has fluctuated with the price of fossil fuels. After World War II, fuel prices fell and wind energy demands dramatically decreased. However, with the spike in oil prices during the 1970s, worldwide interest in wind turbines greatly increased. Today we are facing huge increases in oil prices. With oil reaching and exceeding $100 per barrel it is time that we shift our attention back to wind energy.
Price of oil aside, there are other reasons to shift our attention to wind power – namely, environmental reasons. Fossil-fuel factories are notorious for pumping unwanted carbon dioxide into the air and are, hence, contributing to the controversial reality of global climate change. Wisconsin gets 75% of its power from coal plants, which cause 48 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, 206,000 tons of acid rain emissions, and 107,000 tons of smog emissions each year. As one can see, this type of production is responsible for a major portion of air pollution in Wisconsin and in the rest of the country. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), electric generation causes 64% of all emissions of sulfur dioxide (leading component of acid rain), 40% of all man-made emissions of carbon dioxide (leading greenhouse gas contributing to global climate change), and 26% of all emissions of nitrogen oxides (component of smog and acid rain). These power plants have also been found to be a source of heavy metal emissions, mercury in particular. These emissions contaminate lakes and rivers, damage wildlife habitat, and affect human health.
Many policymakers have been actively seeking new ways to generate energy. Currently, the main alternatives to fossil fuels are nuclear power and hydroelectric power. Although they seem like better alternatives, these two types of power have harsh environmental consequences. Nuclear power generates highly radioactive waste. This waste can cause great harm to our land, waterways, wildlife, and people if it is not stored properly. Hydroelectric power takes a toll on fish and aquatic life populations. These power plants block rivers and, in turn, prevent the migration of fish and other aquatic species. It is necessary to use an alternative to fossil fuels that does not fix one environmental problem while causing another.
There are many advantages – over other energy sources – that come with the inclusion of wind energy in homes and businesses. Most importantly, wind is a clean fuel source. Wind energy does not pollute the air nor does it produce dangerous atmospheric emissions. Wind is also a domestic and renewable source of energy. Our country “produces” all of the wind it needs to provide energy for our population; we will no longer be heavily dependent on the Middle East and other areas of the world for our energy supply.
Price also serves as an advantage to wind power. Wind energy is one of the lowest priced renewable energy technologies available today. First of all, wind energy is beneficial for those choosing to live in more rural areas. A small wind energy system for a house in a remote area can help one avoid the high costs and hassle of extending utility power lines to the site. Secondly, wind energy can save everyone money. Wind energy systems are initially expensive, and this fact seems to drive people away from the idea. However, a large initial investment can lead to savings in the future. Wind energy systems are competitive with conventional energy sources when one adds in a lifetime of avoided utility costs.
Good wind areas cover approximately 6% of the contiguous United States land area. These areas have the potential to supply more than one and half times the current electricity consumption of the United States! That is huge! Not only do we have the ability to add wind power as a major source of energy, but we can also potentially replace electricity with wind energy.
Although there are many advantages to wind energy, it is also necessary to look at its pitfalls. The major challenge to using wind power is that wind is sporadic – it does not necessarily blow when electricity is needed. However, people can still save money by investing in a wind energy system. We have the necessary technology for a “hybrid” system. This type of system combines wind with photovoltaic technologies and/or a diesel generator. Wind usually blows most heavily in the winter, while the sun shines the brightest and longest in the winter. Because the peak operating times for wind and photovoltaic technologies (from the sun) occur at different times, hybrid systems can likely produce power when it is needed. A diesel generator can produce energy if the needs are not quite being met by the wind and sun.
Wind power plants also possess an aesthetic and noise disadvantage. There is noise produced by the rotor blades of the turbines, especially when wind is blowing heavily. This can disrupt the homeowner and the others in the neighboring homes. Larger turbines can also be seen as visually displeasing and, in turn, can cause property value in the surrounding area to decrease. However, through technological development, these problems have been greatly reduced. We now have the ability to produce wind systems with less noise and more of a visual appeal.
Amidst the few disadvantages associated with wind energy, it is clear that the benefits completely outweigh the costs. You have a chance to save money on utilities and help the environment at the same time – a win-win situation for all. By investing in a wind system, you help decrease the amount of pollution being pumped into the environment, reduce health risks for yourself and others, and reduce your reliance on fossil fuels during this time of fuel shortages and price increases. A wind energy system can provide you with many years of clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy – a benefit to the world and your wallet!
It cannot be denied that we live in a world of heightened energy needs amidst an energy crisis. The United States must overcome many hurdles in order to meet its present-day energy needs. Natural gas and gasoline prices are soaring, electricity supplies are falling, and the security of our domestic energy infrastructure is causing concern. There is a need for alternative energy sources if we wish to build a stabile and reliable energy sector.
Wind has been used as a source for energy for many years. Since industrialization, demand for wind energy has fluctuated with the price of fossil fuels. After World War II, fuel prices fell and wind energy demands dramatically decreased. However, with the spike in oil prices during the 1970s, worldwide interest in wind turbines greatly increased. Today we are facing huge increases in oil prices. With oil reaching and exceeding $100 per barrel it is time that we shift our attention back to wind energy.
Price of oil aside, there are other reasons to shift our attention to wind power – namely, environmental reasons. Fossil-fuel factories are notorious for pumping unwanted carbon dioxide into the air and are, hence, contributing to the controversial reality of global climate change. Wisconsin gets 75% of its power from coal plants, which cause 48 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, 206,000 tons of acid rain emissions, and 107,000 tons of smog emissions each year. As one can see, this type of production is responsible for a major portion of air pollution in Wisconsin and in the rest of the country. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), electric generation causes 64% of all emissions of sulfur dioxide (leading component of acid rain), 40% of all man-made emissions of carbon dioxide (leading greenhouse gas contributing to global climate change), and 26% of all emissions of nitrogen oxides (component of smog and acid rain). These power plants have also been found to be a source of heavy metal emissions, mercury in particular. These emissions contaminate lakes and rivers, damage wildlife habitat, and affect human health.
Many policymakers have been actively seeking new ways to generate energy. Currently, the main alternatives to fossil fuels are nuclear power and hydroelectric power. Although they seem like better alternatives, these two types of power have harsh environmental consequences. Nuclear power generates highly radioactive waste. This waste can cause great harm to our land, waterways, wildlife, and people if it is not stored properly. Hydroelectric power takes a toll on fish and aquatic life populations. These power plants block rivers and, in turn, prevent the migration of fish and other aquatic species. It is necessary to use an alternative to fossil fuels that does not fix one environmental problem while causing another.
There are many advantages – over other energy sources – that come with the inclusion of wind energy in homes and businesses. Most importantly, wind is a clean fuel source. Wind energy does not pollute the air nor does it produce dangerous atmospheric emissions. Wind is also a domestic and renewable source of energy. Our country “produces” all of the wind it needs to provide energy for our population; we will no longer be heavily dependent on the Middle East and other areas of the world for our energy supply.
Price also serves as an advantage to wind power. Wind energy is one of the lowest priced renewable energy technologies available today. First of all, wind energy is beneficial for those choosing to live in more rural areas. A small wind energy system for a house in a remote area can help one avoid the high costs and hassle of extending utility power lines to the site. Secondly, wind energy can save everyone money. Wind energy systems are initially expensive, and this fact seems to drive people away from the idea. However, a large initial investment can lead to savings in the future. Wind energy systems are competitive with conventional energy sources when one adds in a lifetime of avoided utility costs.
Good wind areas cover approximately 6% of the contiguous United States land area. These areas have the potential to supply more than one and half times the current electricity consumption of the United States! That is huge! Not only do we have the ability to add wind power as a major source of energy, but we can also potentially replace electricity with wind energy.
Although there are many advantages to wind energy, it is also necessary to look at its pitfalls. The major challenge to using wind power is that wind is sporadic – it does not necessarily blow when electricity is needed. However, people can still save money by investing in a wind energy system. We have the necessary technology for a “hybrid” system. This type of system combines wind with photovoltaic technologies and/or a diesel generator. Wind usually blows most heavily in the winter, while the sun shines the brightest and longest in the winter. Because the peak operating times for wind and photovoltaic technologies (from the sun) occur at different times, hybrid systems can likely produce power when it is needed. A diesel generator can produce energy if the needs are not quite being met by the wind and sun.
Wind power plants also possess an aesthetic and noise disadvantage. There is noise produced by the rotor blades of the turbines, especially when wind is blowing heavily. This can disrupt the homeowner and the others in the neighboring homes. Larger turbines can also be seen as visually displeasing and, in turn, can cause property value in the surrounding area to decrease. However, through technological development, these problems have been greatly reduced. We now have the ability to produce wind systems with less noise and more of a visual appeal.
Amidst the few disadvantages associated with wind energy, it is clear that the benefits completely outweigh the costs. You have a chance to save money on utilities and help the environment at the same time – a win-win situation for all. By investing in a wind system, you help decrease the amount of pollution being pumped into the environment, reduce health risks for yourself and others, and reduce your reliance on fossil fuels during this time of fuel shortages and price increases. A wind energy system can provide you with many years of clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy – a benefit to the world and your wallet!
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| jgardner422 | Urban Turbines | 0 | Apr 12 2008, 3:29 PM EDT by jgardner422 | ||
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Thread started: Apr 12 2008, 3:29 PM EDT
Watch
We have this conception that wind turbines have to be out in open fields because that is where there will be the most wind, thus making the idea of wind turbines in the city appear ridiculous. First, most major cities are located along a ocean, lake, or river. In Milwaukee, we all know the effect the lake has on wind blowing through the city. The land right along the lake is to build build apartments, etc. (i.e. - buildings must be so far away from the water for safety reasons). Wouldn't it make sense to put wind turbines along these water areas. Of course, this requires more investigation on the ability for wind turbines to be stable on ground near water. Second, and more important, there is plenty of potential wind energy in cities, not at the ground level, but above buildings. It seems logical for a business, like the U.S. Bank building, to put a custom hybrid system on top of its building. For example, the hybrid system would consist of 5 or 6 (or however many could fit) small wind turbines on top of the building as well as solar panels around the wind turbines on the roof. It would not surprise me if a company is created, or exists already, that specializes in this type of energy niche.
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| kris2090 | Small Wind Energy | 1 | Apr 11 2008, 7:59 PM EDT by fdeveau | ||
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Thread started: Apr 10 2008, 10:02 PM EDT
Watch
This essay points out an important fact - that individuals (household or small businesses) can use wind power. It doesn't have to be just fields of huge turbines. The American Wind Energy Association has a useful page on their website about this smaller version of wind energy - http://www.awea.org/faq/rsdntqa.html.
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