Wind Energy

Wind energy is produced by harnessing the power if the wind to create energy and electricity. Wind power is actually a form of solar energy as the wind is created by heat of the sun, though in energy circles is has its own placeholder as a form of alternative energy separate from that of solar energy. The wind on the Earth’s surface is created by the sun heating certain parts of the world more than others, instigating a change in climate temperature that creates wind when two different temperatures intersect.

How is Wind Energy Produced?

Wind energy is captured through large windmills, also known as wind turbines, that usually stand between about 30 to 120 meters tall (100 to 400 feet) and have either two or three rotator blades. As the wind blows it spins the rotator blades causing electrical energy to be produced through specialized magnets and wiring inside the turbines generator that helps to create power that can be used at that time or stored in batteries to be used at a later time.

What are the Advantages of Wind Energy?

As an alternative energy source, wind energy is one of the cleanest forms of energy creation as it free of harmful environmental pollutants. It also is a renewable energy source that will always be in ready supply, especially in parts of the world where it is nearly always windy. Finally, wind energy using wind energy at higher consumption levels means that fossil fuels such as coal and oil are being used less, reducing the levels of greenhouse gases produced by the fossil fuels that are believed to be the main cause of global warming.

What are the Disadvantages of Wind Energy?

Environmentally and economically, wind energy is one of the best forms of energy production, however many people dislike the alternative energy source because of the appearance of the wind turbines. The turbines are large and usually placed in mass collections that disrupt the natural environmental landscape of the Earth and leave a less ascetically pleasing look. For others the look isn’t as much of a problem as the noise that wind turbines produce which is similar to a steady hum or white noise that nearby neighbors might find aggravating. Lastly, wind turbines can cause the death of birds that fly into the rotator blades while they are turning; however this is a rare occurrence that becomes even less of a possibility when wind turbines are placed outside of the pathways of migratory birds or away from bird sanctuaries.

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