An Overview Of Wind As An Energy Source

An Overview of Wind as an Energy Source And Clean Power

Wind is one of the soundest, if not the simplest, unfailing energy source accessible to us to use as we enter the twenty first century. What most people don't acknowledge is that it is also the quickest growing energy sector and also a non contributor to global pollution or warming.

Wind is a secondary variation of solar power. Several surfaces on the Earth respond differently to being hit by sunlight, particularly in respect to heat. As sunshine heats up Earth's surfaces, they warm up at diverse rates. The surrounding air also warms up at various rates, feeding the wind process. Temperatures over a body of water like a lake will invariably be cooler than temperatures over rocky ground. Hot air rises and cool air races in to fill such voids. As this process occurs, the rushing air manifests itself as wind and a fabulously cheap and clean energy source. Wind is one of the simplest, if not easiest,and unfailing energy sources available to us today and this prime input is FREE to all who are positioned to use its powers. What most people don't acknowledge is that it is also the hottest growing energy sector in the world and its contribution to pollution and global warming is virtually zero.

The fact that wind is a naturally occurring event makes it a great energy source. Take a look at the following:

1. Wind is a unfailing energy source because it will survive as long as sunlight beats down on us. 2. Wind has been used by man as an energy source ever since we've used sailing boats.

3. The first windmills were used to turn wheels to grind grain in Iran.

4. American colonists used windmills to move water, grind grain and cut wood.

5. Wind energy by windmills was a steady 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. This may be the way of future development as fuel costs continue to rise.

11. Wind power in the U.S. generates a whopping 17 billion kilowatts per year,This is more than enough power to provide all electrical needs for the city of Chicago.

12. More than 30 states have wind farms yielding and adding electricity to utility companies.

13. California, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wyoming are the dominant forces in producing energy and power from wind.

14. The biggest energy producer from wind is Germany, which is also active in solar power production.

For many of you, these wind findings will come as a surprise. The sole fact is that there is enough power produced by wind energy to handle a city the size of Chicago: this is pretty amazing. As we move onward and outward into the 21st century, new technology should be heading in the direction of creating wind energy platforms for various residences and smaller buildings to make them self sufficient in power use.Government at all levels should give maximum support.Given the fact that wind power is virtually free and that it has little or no effect on the environment it would appear that there is a pressing environmental as well as economic reason to push ahead with further research into development of more efficient methods of power generation from wind sources.We are all well aware that a market exists for the output generated and of the growing demand for clean air and a cleaner environment.With these issues in mind there should be political support for this type of enterprise and public interest should also be mounting.

Noel is an experienced economist,sociologist and marketer.He has an interest in renewable and solar energy and our environment and the social and economic costs absorbed by our society to change to renewable energy.If you have similar feelings and are motivated to research the matter further then visit my blog at http://homesolarsystemguide.com