Renewable energy, wind energy. The history and advantages of the different types of wind energy around the world

Renewable Energy From Wind

Wind energy has been studied more aggressively in the last twenty years. At the same time, our society uses up all the man made energy sources and depletes the resources. Wind energy is a natural source. Wind energy actually comes from the sun. The ground and water surfaces heat up during the day. The warm air will rise as the heavier air that comes in from above the water moves in. This produces a shift in the air and culminates into winds. More simply, using wind turbine energy can be turned into electricity. Renewable energy is a natural resource that can be used over and over again. For example, wind energy from a windmill comes from mechanically built engineering. It produces wind energy to enable farmers to grind grain and other uses. In the 1970’s and the 1980’s the country began to really take a look at alternative sources of energy. Political lobbying and policy played a significant role. Oil prices are climbing again today.

Wind History

Wind has always been used to propel boats. Historical accounts vary. All agree that 5500 years ago winds were used to propel boats. The first windmills were from Persia (Iran), used to grind wheat and grain. The earliest, regularly used windmills are from China in 200 B.C. Hundreds of years later the Dutch improved the windmill design. They installed propeller blades and sails. Windmills came to North America with the colonists. They were used to grind corn and wheat. In the 1920’s farmer’s who lived in a remote area away from power lines could get enough electricity for his farm and home from his windmill.

The claim to fame of the windmill invention comes from the Dutch people. The inventor of the first automatic turbine windmill was Charles F. Brush (1869-1929). He was one of the founder’s of the American electrical industry. It is not clear if he was Dutch or when he came to America from Holland. Later, a man name Diane Paul La Cour, added rotation blades making the turbine faster. Water pumping plants were used until the 1950’s.

In the 1970’s when the oil crisis made big news, people became more interested in developing alternative resources. Federal funds were allocated just for this purpose. With a new President and new politics, in the 1980’s funds for research were cut. Despite that, the renewable energy system began to grow.

Advantages of Wind Energy

Wind is a reusable commodity. Renewable energy is the new catch phrase to describe and promote the earth’s natural resources. An advantage to using wind for energy is it natural and it will not harm the environment. It is low cost once you build the windmill, there are no harmful chemicals emitted in the air. One disadvantage is there is not always wind. Another is that people do not like the noise that the turbines make. The windmill could destroy a scenic view. Some of the best places for optimal wind are along the coasts in mountain pass.

The windmills advantages include a clean, low cost, long term, sustainable energy source. The economic benefits are: it stimulates new investments, it creates new businesses and jobs, it broadens retail trade, the business can make one wealthy, a new cash crop is created for farmers, it keeps investor’s investing locally, has cleaner air then other alternatives, and could be a link to address global warming problem.

Wind Farms and Turbines

Use of multiple windmills produce wind farms. Wind in turbines can produce wind electricity. Wind farms are really wind plants, because they have so many turbines. The number of turbines depends on the size of the farm, they range for two to three thousand. California uses thousands of machines to produce energy. In 2006, there were 80.000 wind turbines all over the world. They could generate 95 Terawatts-hour, which would be equal to 95.000,000,000 Kilowatts. These farms are scattered throughout the world and include areas in Denmark, Southern California, the Netherlands, the shores of the Arabian Sea, through the Tehachapi Mountains, to the moors of Britain. Wind farming has come to light in other areas such as: Minnesota, Iowa, Texas, Wyoming, Colorado and Wisconsin. The larger plants provide power to electric companies.

Other wind Energy Ideas

Renewable energy source from the wind is expected to expand, but will still only encompass 1% of the population. Renewable energy naturally generates from the sum. Wind is a part of the solar system. Wind occurs from unequal heating of the earth surfaces and the sun rotation. In 2006, the natural energy community put forth an. “Action Plan”. Their goal is to have 20% of our country using wind for power. There is also a new turbine invented, dubbed “Turbine in a box”, which will specifically bring electricity to rural villages. These other ideas being studied and are funded by grants.

Wind Energy use Around the World