Wind Energy
Wind energy is the power produced from wind; it is a mechanical energy produced from the force of wind currents circling the globe. These wind currents are produced by temperature differentials on Earth. Convection currents are produced by the interaction of colder polar air with warmer air of the equatorial regions. The force produced by these wind currents have been used by humans for thousands of years. A simple example being the energy harnessed by the sail on a sailboat. Throughout the years, people have used the power of the wind in the form of windmills; they used this energy to mill grain or pump water for example. The straight-line force of the wind when acting upon the inclined plane of turbine blades converts this single dimension force into a rotational one, allowing the operation of these mills and pumps. Relatively modern technology brought us generators, which allow the rotaional force of the turbine to be converted into electricity.
The growth in the number of wind farms being built or proposed is growing at an incredible rate; it is probably the fastest growing form of alternative energy in the world today. Power utilities are using many turbines grouped together in geographical areas that are known to have an above average amount of available wind. Although these wind farms are satisfying an increasing amount of the demand for electricty worldwide, the use of small-scale generators are popping up more frequently in backyards as more people are realizing the need to get off the grid and become more self-reliant with regard to their energy needs.
The number one benefit of wind energy as a power source, is the fact that it does not harm the environment. Besides being non-polluting, it is an infinite supply of energy. Since it is a renewable energy source, it is demanding more attention as an effective and reliable source of power for the future. Another benefit for residential customers is the fact that they can, in most cases, sell any excess power generated back to their electrical provider; they not only see an evironmental bonus, but an economic one as well. Some residents who choose to erect a turbine in their yard sometimes face opposition from neighbors who complain about the noise produced by the turbine blades or the change in the view from their picture windows. The intermittent nature of wind energy is also considered a drawback.
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