Introduction
In just a few short decades wind energy has matured dramatically, making wind one of the fastest growing sources of electricity in the world today. Due to technological advancements, policy initiatives, and economic drivers, wind energy is now able to make a cost-competitive contribution to our growing energy needs.
Wind Turbine Technology
Turbines today are sleek and slender machines, a far cry from their wooden ancestors. Around the world, wind turbines of all sizes have become a familiar sight; ranging from home or farm-scale machines of 1 kilowatt (kW), all the way up to arrays of large 7 megawatt (MW) machines for off-shore use.
Modern wind turbines are up to the task of producing serious amounts of electricity. A popular sized machine in the U.S. today is a state-of-the-art 2 MW turbine that stands as tall as a 30-story building and costs roughly $2 million to $5 million installed. With a good wind resource, this size turbine can produce 5 million kWh of electricity each year, or enough energy to run 500 average American households.
Wind Energy Around the Globe
Turbines are sprouting up around the globe in record numbers. By the end of 2010, there were over 197,000 MW of wind installed around the world, which is more than three-times the 59,000 MW installed in 2005. The pace of growth is now greatest in China, where installed wind energy capacity grew by 18,928 MW in 2010, over half of their total 25,805 MW installed capacity. Yet the United States leads the world in total installation, with 35,086 MWby year end 2010. The growth in the Chinese market put China second in total installed wind capacity with 25,805 MW edging out Germany (25,777 MW).
China's recent boom can be attributed to the passage of a Renewable Energy Standard in 2007 and the introduction in 2009 of requirements for grid owners to buy electricity from renewables, as well as a 20-year feed-in-tariff for wind projects. While nearly half of the world's new installed capacity in 2010 came from China, other countries are also growing their wind resources. (Source: Global Energy Council's Global Wind Report 2010).
Spain continues to be a leader in wind power, with India, France, Italy and the UK rising in the market. The recent boom in renewable energy investment, including wind energy generation, is being aided through progressive policies and widespread public support. Legislation such as the UK's Renewables Obligation, the 29 US states and 2 territories with Renewable Portfolio Standards, and the EU's target for 20% renewable energy by 2020 is aiding the development of wind energy across the globe.
Wind Energy in the United States
Total wind capacity in the United States reached 46,919 MW by the end of 2011, with commercial-scale wind turbines operating in 38 states. Wind power accounted for 35% of the country's new power-production capacity from 2007 to 2011, second only to natural gas. According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), Texas leads the country as the state with the most installed wind power with 10,135 MW. Iowa remains a leader in wind generation with 3,675 MW installed; while California and Minnesota continue to harvest significant amounts of wind with 3,179 MW and 2,432 MW respectively.
Although this is significant growth for wind energy, it still only accounts for a small percentage of the U.S. electricity supply. The U.S. Department of Energy recently released a report that laid out a plan to reach 20% wind energy power by 2030 to fuel the U.S. electricity grid. This would provide a major increase in jobs, benefits to rural landowners, and lead the Country to increased energy independence. Factors pushing for growth in U.S. wind energy include the high cost of fossil fuels and concern over national energy security. As a result, policy makers are actively considering a wide range of legislation that would support and enhance wind energy growth.
Progressive public policy has usually been a key ingredient both for encouraging wind energy expansion and helping to determine what forms that growth will take. Future growth will likely come from commercial-scale wind farms, which are typically vast arrays of turbines owned and operated by large corporations. Yet experience in Minnesota has shown that, with an encouraging policy environment, small clusters of turbines or even single turbines can make significant contirbutions, operated by local landowners, small businesses, and community wind projects.
The Future of Wind Energy
Technological advancements and supportive policy measures have the ability to dramatically increase the future of wind energy development in our nation and our world. Wind power has the unique ability to provide even greater sources of distributed energy production, which means less risk and a stronger energy portfolio. America�s ingenuity and drive for independence are well suited to increased wind energy development in the future. Stay tuned to advancements at industry and policy levels as wind energy continues to grow.
Source : http://www.windustry.org/wind-basics/introduction
What is wind energy?
Wind, that is moving air, possesses some kinetic energy due to its high speed. Wind is a result of the solar energy, as heating of land results in movement of air. The most common application of wind could probably be kite flying! Or even paragliding, sail boats etc. Well these activities are definitely not possible without wind. Ever wondered what else it could be useful for?? Wind energy can be harnessed and used for generating electricity or for other smaller purposes by a windmill. In olden times, windmills were used to draw water out of wells or to grind flour etc. It is the rotatory motion of the shaft in a windmill that is used to rotate the turbine and convert it to the form of energy we need it in.
The main advantage of wind energy is that harnessing it doesn�t disrupt natural processes or harm the environment, unlike a lot of other energy sources. To generate electricity on a large scale, a number of windmills are set up over a large area, called a wind energy farm. Such areas need a wind speed of 15kmph.
Lets discuss advantages and disadvantages of Wind Energy.
Advantages Of Wind Energy
1) Wind Energy is an inexhaustible source of energy and is virtually a limitless resource.
2) Energy is generated without polluting environment.
3) This source of energy has tremendous potential to generate energy on large scale.
4) Like solar energy and hydropower, wind power taps a natural physical resource.
5) Windmill generators don�t emit any emissions that can lead to acid rain or greenhouse effect.
6) Wind Energy can be used directly as mechanical energy.
7) In remote areas, wind turbines can be used as great resource to generate energy.
8) In combination with Solar Energy they can be used to provide reliable as well as steady supply of electricity.
9) Land around wind turbines can be used for other uses, e.g. Farming.
Disadvantages Of Wind Energy
1) Wind energy requires expensive storage during peak production time.
2) It is unreliable energy source as winds are uncertain and unpredictable.
3) There is visual and aesthetic impact on region.
4) Requires large open areas for setting up wind farms.
5) Noise pollution problem is usually associated with wind mills.
6) Wind energy can be harnessed only in those areas where wind is strong enough and weather is windy for most parts of the year.
7) Usually places, where wind power set-up is situated, are away from the places where demand of electricity is there. Transmission from such places increases cost of electricity.
8) The average efficiency of wind turbine is very less as compared to fossil fuel power plants. We might require many wind turbines to produce similar impact.
9) It can be a threat to wildlife. Birds do get killed or injured when they fly into turbines.
10) Maintenance cost of wind turbines is high as they have mechanical parts which undergo wear and tear over the time.
Even though there are advantages of wind energy, the limitations make it extremely difficult for it to be harnessed and prove to be a setback.
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Wind can be used to do work. The kinetic energy of the wind can be changed into other forms of energy, either mechanical energy or electrical energy.
When a boat lifts a sail, it is using wind energy to push it through the water. This is one form of work.
Farmers have been using wind energy for many years to pump water from wells using windmills like the one on the right.
In Holland, windmills have been used for centuries to pump water from low-lying areas.
Wind is also used to turn large grinding stones to grind wheat or corn, just like a water wheel is turned by water power.
Today, the wind is also used to make electricity.
Blowing wind spins the blades on a wind turbine � just like a large toy pinwheel. This device is called a wind turbine and not a windmill. A windmill grinds or mills grain, or is used to pump water.
The blades of the turbine are attached to a hub that is mounted on a turning shaft. The shaft goes through a gear transmission box where the turning speed is increased. The transmission is attached to a high speed shaft which turns a generator that makes electricity.
If the wind gets too high, the turbine has a brake that will keep the blades from turning too fast and being damaged.
You can use a single smaller wind turbine to power a home or a school. A small turbine makes enough energy for a house. In the picture on the left, the children at this Iowa school are playing beneath a wind turbine that makes enough electricity to power their entire school.
We have many windy areas in California. And wind is blowing in many places all over the earth. The only problem with wind is that it is not windy all the time. In California, it is usually windier during the summer months when wind rushes inland from cooler areas, like the ocean to replace hot rising air in California's warm central valleys and deserts.
In order for a wind turbine to work efficiently, wind speeds usually must be above 12 to 14 miles per hour. Wind has to be this speed to turn the turbines fast enough to generate electricity. The turbines usually produce about 50 to 300 kilowatts of electricity each. A kilowatt is 1,000 watts (kilo means 1,000). You can light ten 100 watt light bulbs with 1,000 watts. So, a 300 kilowatt (300,000 watts) wind turbine could light up 3,000 light bulbs that use 100 watts!
As of 1999, there were 11,368 wind turbines in California. These turbines are grouped together in what are called wind "farms," like those in Palm Springs in the picture on the right. These wind farms are located mostly in the three windiest areas of the state:
- Altamont Pass, east of San Francisco
- San Gorgonio Pass, near Palm Springs
- Tehachapi, south of Bakersfield
Together these three places in California make enough electricity to supply an entire city the size of San Francisco! About 11 percent of the entire world's wind-generated electricity is found in California. Other countries that use a lot of wind energy are Denmark and Germany.
Once electricity is made by the turbine, the electricity from the entire wind farm is collected together and sent through a transformer. There the voltage is increase to send it long distances over high power lines.
Source : http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter16.html
Today more than ever, the debate around the use of fossil fuels is putting out a lot of hot air. With climate change being challenged in Congress via the repeal of EPA regulatory authority, we face a mountainous climb back to ensuring our safety when it comes it air, water, and land quality. Only exacerbating the situation, a barrel of crude has reached $108, causing the cost of gasoline to float around $3.70. Without a doubt, the political climate is a hot one, no pun intended.
Moving forward, both the American people and their representatives are looking for solutions. Because there is no one perfect option, a number of alternative energy strategies are required to combat the ongoing energy crisis. Among them, wind power has grown in popularity.
In fact, according to the Wind Energy Association, �the U.S. wind industry represents not only a large market for wind power capacity installations, but also a growing market for American manufacturing.� All in all, the U.S. wind industry has added over 35 percent generating capacity over the past 4 years, more than nuclear and coal combined. The U.S. pursuit of wind energy is noted in the fact that we represent more than �20 percent of the world�s installed wind power.�
What is Wind Power?
We�re all familiar with what wind is. Caused by the uneven distribution of heat on earth, air is put into motion. As explained by the Department of Energy, �During the day, the air above the land heats up more quickly than the air over water. The warm air over the land expands and rises, and the heavier, cooler air rushes in to take its place, creating wind. At night, the winds are reversed because the air cools more rapidly over land than over water.�
The idea behind wind power is simple � harness this natural force and use it to generate electricity. Just like we learned in school, the movement of an object produces kinetic energy. This energy rotates the blades of a wind turbine, which spin to generate electricity in an electric generator.
Benefits of Wind Power
One of the main benefits of wind power is the fact that it is a renewable resource. Simply put, as long as the sun is shining and we have an atmosphere, we�ll have a breeze. This provides comfort for those that are concerned about the energy independence and security regarding energy disruption here in the United States. Our turbines will continue to generate electricity as long we maintain them.
A second benefit is linked to the concern of climate change. While many forms of energy, namely fossil fuels, produce large emissions, wind energy is � in essence � a clean source of energy. After being installed, wind farms are able to produce large amounts of electricity for long amounts of time, offsetting their initial cost and serving as a long-term investment for communities and private businesses.
Tied to the last benefit, the increase use of wind energy means less fossil fuels are needed for electricity production. This, in effect, means even less carbon emitted into the atmosphere, as well less water use at fossil fuel plants. With the reduction in demand, there is a parallel drop in money spent on fuel, saving tax payer dollars.
In addition to the benefit of clean energy, wind energy also promotes job growth here in the United States. As President Barack Obama acknowledged, �when you only have 2-3 percent of the world�s oil reserves, why wouldn�t you want to develop alternative sources of energy that are cleaner and more efficient and that produce manufacturing jobs?�
Finally, as the Department of Energy points out, because the relative ease of installing wind farms, farmers and other people who live in areas ideal for wind farms can invest in projects to help keep them financially afloat and independent.
Some Obvious Drawbacks
However, in the spirit of even handedness, it�s important to point out some clear drawbacks of wind energy.
First, the installation of wind turbines requires the use of fossil fuels in the first place. Roads may need to be built and ships will have to set sail to build wind farms on land and ocean. This requires energy, the production of resources for building, and the use of heavy machinery.
Secondly, there�s the concern of aesthetics and noise pollution. Many people think of wind farms as �unsightly� things, causing visual obstruction of the natural environment. Likewise, wind turbines are known to make �whoosing� noises � just like the propellers of a plane. Granted most wind farms are not in residential areas, some of the people who do live near them complain about these issues.
Like all things, turbines can also break. Few have caught fire and other have leaked lubricating fluids due to age and harsh conditions, according to the Department of Energy. Usually these instances are very rare, but they occur nonetheless.
Lastly, there have been a number of reported deaths of birds and bats due to wind farms. Because of these instances, �The wind energy industry and the U.S. government are researching ways to reduce the impact of wind turbines on birds and bats.�
So What�s the Conclusion?
Regardless of the downfalls, wind energy should be a part of a large, more comprehensive energy plan. As the DOE argues, �the negative impacts have to be balanced with our need for electricity and the overall lower environmental impact of using wind for energy relative to other sources of energy to make electricity.�
Nothing is perfect, but that�s just the way the wind blows!
Source : http://www.organicsoul.com/wind-energy-benefits-of-the-breeze/
The Brazilian government recently launched an energy expansion plan to boost installed wind power generation capacity to 11.5 GW by 2020. Currently wind energy generates 1.5 GW of power for Brazil. This major increase in capacity brings huge investment opportunities for developers and entrepreneurs.
According to Jonathan Kendall, Founding partner of Rio Energy Consulting � TSS Brazil, everyone�s excited and there are hundreds of projects being planned.
Accroding to Ricardo Baitelo, Greenpeace�s renewable energy campaign coordinator in Sao Paulo, the future tenders will also be more profitable. This is because the government is poised to introduce equipment-import and other tax breaks, as well as cheaper financing rates through Brazil�s development bank BNDES, to make it all happen. Baitelo says a European-style feed-in tariff is not contemplated, however.
�The production price will go down to 200 reais (US$111) or even 100 reais (US$55) from around 300 reais (US$166) now,� once the government introduces the incentives, he adds.
According to Baitelo, the expansion is so aggressive that wind farms could very well overtake natural gas thermal plants as Brazil�s second-power generation source in five years, moving right behind the number one source � hydroelectric power.
�Right now the majority of the thermal power plants are running on natural gas, accounting for five percent of generation, though there is a small percentage of oil and diesel, accounting for four percent and coal for 1.8 percent,� Baitelo explains. �But the government doesn�t want to build more fuel-powered plants after 2015 as oil and biodiesel are more expensive to import and more polluting.�
That is why wind, as well as biomass, is expected to see huge development in coming years, observers say.
In the meantime, we�ll have a closer look at Brazil in the coming months. We at Tomorrow is Greener are really excited to see how things will progress in the South-American country.
Source : http://www.tomorrowisgreener.com/wind-power-could-become-huge-in-brazil/
Introduction
