Learn To Make Your Own Solar Panels And SAVE $$$
Click Here!!!
Solar Power Wyoming
An Overview Of Wind As An Energy Source
Wind is one of the cleanest, if not cleanest, renewable energy sources available to us. What most people don't know is it is also the fastest growing energy sector.
Wind is an indirect version of solar power. Different surfaces on the Earth react differently to being hit by sunlight, particular in regards to heat. As sunlight heats up surfaces, they warm up at different rates. The surround air also warms up at different rates, fertilizing the wind process. Temperatures over a body of water like a lake will always be cooler than temperatures over rocky ground. Hot air rises and cool air rushes into fill such voids. As this process occurs, the rushing air manifests as wind and an incredibly cheap and clean energy source.
The fact that wind is a naturally occurring event makes it a great energy source. Consider the following:
1. Wind is a renewable energy source because it will exist as long as sunlight beats down on us.
2. Wind has been used by man as an energy source ever since we've sailed boats.
3. The first windmills were used to turn wheels to grind grain in Iran.
4. American colonist used windmills to move water, grind grain and cut wood.
5. Wind energy harnessed by windmills was a dominant source of energy in rural America in the 1920s.
6. In modern times, California is the biggest user of wind power and produces twice as much electricity as any other state.
7. Modern windmills actually come in two forms, vertical and horizontal models.
8. Horizontal windmills are the stereotypical version that comes to your mind when the word is mentioned.
9. Vertical mills look like upside down egg beaters, but are hypnotic when they spin.
10. Unlike traditional utilities, most energy produced by wind is done by private businesses and sold to utilities through an electric grid hookup.
11. Wind power in the U.S. generates a whopping 17 billion kilowatts per year, more than enough to provide all electrical needs for the city of Chicago.
12. More than 30 states have wind farms generating and supplying electricity to utility companies.
13. California, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wyoming are the dominant forces in producing energy from wind.
14. The biggest energy producer from wind is Germany, which is also dominant in solar power production.
For many, these wind findings will be a surprise. The sole fact that there is enough power produced by wind energy to handle a city the size of Chicago is pretty impressive. As we move into the 21st century, new technology is heading in the direction of creating wind energy platforms for individual residences.
About the Author
Go Green Living, Get your Green Living Guide... Support the Earth
Developments in the Renewable Energy Sector
This past few years saw rising interest expressed for renewable energy—the kind of energy that is abundant and free, being taken from natural resources like sunlight, water, rain, geothermal heat, wind, and tides. Because of concern over dwindling fuel supply and the increasing problem of global warming, numerous governments and organizations from all over the world are now looking for viable energy source options using these natural resources.
Countries like Denmark and Spain have already successfully harnessed wind power to supply a portion of their electric power. In London, a vast wind farm expected to become the largest in the world has already begun construction, a physical manifestation of the country’s efforts towards encouraging the renewable energy sector. Elsewhere in the United States are several wind farms established for power generation, such as those in Pampa, Texas and in Fond du Lac County in Wisconsin. In Wyoming, there is the Happy Jack Windpower Facility that already began its commercial operations in September 2008.
Another renewable energy source is also being used to generate power and for other practical purposes as well—solar power. In states filled with sunshine the whole year through, such as California and Nevada, solar thermal power plants are being constructed with the aim of supplying power to a large percentage of households. However, the largest photovoltaic plant in the world is found in Germany and is expected to become operational in 2009. Several communities in the United States are also implementing plans of purchasing and installing their own photovoltaic farms to supply renewable energy to its households.
Many places all over the world are also harnessing geothermal energy for power supply. In the United States, the latest projects of this kind have been initiated in Beaver County, Utah and in New Mexico. The former has a geothermal power plant called Thermo while the latter has just begun construction on the Lightning Dock Geothermal Power Plant.
Wave power is also being tapped as potential source of renewable source, with the opening of a large wave farm in Portugal in September 2008. This first of its kind facility is expected to generate more than 2 MW of electricity. In Oahu, Hawaii, the US Navy has funded and taken active participation in the development of a wave energy technology expected to generate about 1 MW of electricity.
And elsewhere in the world, car manufacturers, legislators, and private individuals have taken interest and commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through the use of more energy efficient automobiles. Most of these vehicles are also capable of using the biofuel ethanol, which is certainly affordable and produces no pollutants into the atmosphere.
With most of the countries in the world and environmental organizations pushing for the use of renewable energy resources and for the development of supporting technologies, there is an expected trend of consumer preference toward renewable energy supply. Because of these, it is also expected that the renewable energy sector will continue to increase and expand with more investments from capitalists all over world. With these developments, the goals of reducing the world’s dependence of fossil fuels and enjoying cleaner environment are slowly reaching realization.
About the Author
http://www.climatarians.org is a website where you can find everything about Sustainability and Renewable Energy.
