Wind Energy

Overview

Wind energy is the process by which the wind is used to generate power, which can be used for specific tasks such as grinding grain or pumping water. It can also be used with a generator to convert the power into electricity.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, "Wind is used to produce electricity using the kinetic energy created by air in motion. This is transformed into electrical energy using wind turbines or wind energy conversion systems. Wind first hits a turbine’s blades, causing them to rotate and turn the turbine connected to them. That changes the kinetic energy to rotational energy, by moving a shaft which is connected to a generator, and thereby producing electrical energy through electromagnetism. The amount of power that can be harvested from wind depends on the size of the turbine and the length of its blades. The output is proportional to the dimensions of the rotor and to the cube of the wind speed. Theoretically, when wind speed doubles, wind power potential increases by a factor of eight."

Using wind to produce power has less effects on the environment than most other energy sources. Wind turbines also reduce the amount of electricity generation and carbon emissions from fossil fuels, which results in lower total air pollution and healthier environment.

An individual wind turbine has a relatively small physical footprint, which may be a small drawback considering the time and cost they take to build. However, wind farms, or clusters of wind turbines, are significantly more effective at generating energy.

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