TRANSFERRABLE WIND POWER

After reading a blog post on wind power I decided that I would elaborate more on my opinions of the idea of using wind power as a form of alternative energy. I am originally from a much more rural area compared to Chicago. I actually live on a farm surrounded by corn and soybeans. A few years ago, there were wind turbines that were put up near my home in order to generate electricity. Then again a few years later more and more were put up even closer to my home. I once questioned this idea, why was in necessary to use these wind turbines to provide electricity and other means to other areas of the state. I once heard that the electricity that was being generated was being sent to the Chicago land. I have decided to further evaluate these turbines, and get a greater understanding of effective they actually are. At the same time I would like to look into how much it costs to develop just one of these turbines and if they are extremely cost effective in the long run?


Since the millennium wind power has actually became more widely developed throughout the world. Wind power however produces only a little more than 1% of the world's electricity use. Wind has been though of as a very effective way of producing electricity. After all, it is renewable, clean, does not distribute green house gases, and can be distributed everywhere. Wind farms are only useful where the wind speed is around 10 mph. These turbines that I have found located throughout my area are referred to as wind farms because they are many wind turbines all combined together and connected with a medium voltage collection system. This electric current that is produced is then with the help of a transformer developed into a high voltage system and then transferred to the electric grid. Within the last 2 years the number of turbines that are used within the United States has nearly doubled.


There are many countries that use wind power to generate a majority of their energy. For instance, Denmark receives one-fifth of its electricity by means of wind power. This is astonishing, but there are some flaws with these wind turbines. For instance, they must be placed in an area where wind is commonly found, and is always present. It would not make any sense to place a wind farm in the middle of an open area, where there was seldom wind. Therefore, it is important that areas be evaluated over time before placing millions of dollars of wind turbines in an area that will not generate enough electricity by wind.


And individual wind turbine can cost anywhere from 6,000 dollars to 22,000 dollars. But in the long run the energy that is being created is of great use. For instance, although many people feel that the cost of wind energy is not of use at all because at instances it has actually been greater than the cost of other forms of energy. The cost of wind energy is not going to be increasing in the future, where the cost of other forms of energy is expected to. So in the long run, wind would be a great source of energy, the only issue is that people are not willing to spend more at this point and time. However, wind farms are still being generated throughout much of the country and the number of turbines being put up is increasing. Finally, the U.S. is planning for the future of electricity. As long, as the wind doesn't die and they continue to evaluate the most effective places to place these wind farms there should be no problems.


Another issue that I know has been addressed is won't the wind occupy farmland and forests that we will be harming by placing them there. I think that this is an issue as well. However, my only response to that is that in a way it is no different than the land being developed by homes and being made into a more urban area because of the convenience that it would provide for individuals. There have been so many areas where I live that have developed so much even over the last 5 years. Areas that used to be occupied by farm land and are now nothing but homes and stores. At least if we place wind farms there we are gaining electricity from something that is occupying our land. Also, while wind farms may seem like they occupy a lot of space in all reality they only take up about an acre of farm land, and farmers are still able to have the rest of the land that surrounds the turbine available for crops.



Sources
http://www.canren.gc.ca/tech_appl/index.asp?CaId=6&PgId=232
http://www.awea.org/faq/rsdntqa.html#Howmuchdoesawindsystemcost
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable/wind.html