| When it comes to choosing alternative sources of | | | | and more importantly, the speed of the wind. |
| energy, European countries are a step ahead. They | | | | Scientists are experimenting with these variables so |
| have already realized the power potential of the | | | | that they can get the optimum output of electricity |
| wind. Wind is an environment-friendly source of | | | | using the wind energy. The turbines are placed as |
| energy. It is also inexpensive. As such, it is gaining | | | | high up on the mountains as possible and they are |
| popularity vis-à-vis high fuel prices and the | | | | grouped together so as to gather the wind power |
| ensuing damage to the environment caused by | | | | most efficiently. |
| conventional fuel. In addition to windmills, winds are | | | | Though the wind comes free, the turbines are |
| fast becoming the moving force for creating | | | | expensive to make and a lot of cost is involved to |
| electricity. | | | | put them in place. The turbines are also quite noisy |
| Did you even imagine that almost 3 percent of the | | | | and detrimental to animal life. If these drawbacks can |
| sun's energy can be converted to wind power? Of | | | | be overcome, wind energy could well prove to be a |
| course, the origin and use of the energy are quite | | | | viable source of energy and of wide use. It is |
| complex, involving continuous variables that have a | | | | necessary to store the energy so generated so that |
| direct effect on its efficiency and long term usage. | | | | it can be used only when needed. |
| Huge turbines are used for this purpose. Wind energy | | | | It should also be practical to use this stored energy. |
| is converted to power using efficient wind turbines. | | | | Scientists are finding ways to store up the energy so |
| The wind power turns the blades, generating huge | | | | that it can be widely used. |
| electrical current. This current is then turned into a | | | | One way is to increase the output of energy to the |
| generator. | | | | maximum and store the surplus amounts for future |
| You can see wind farms all across California too. The | | | | use. This usage could fluctuate as per the need. It |
| energy of the wind can be harnessed to produce | | | | would also need to be cost-effective. So cost |
| electricity. Wind farms which have 200 turbines | | | | comparisons are imperative. This energy storage |
| generally produce 200-300 watts of electricity. These | | | | facility is hydro-electric and is known as flywheel. |
| turbines are grouped together in wind farms. Wind | | | | Wide scale studies are going on to explore this |
| power is successfully harnessed to its best capacity | | | | alternative form of energy. Leaders in the field |
| by the leader in this field, i.e. Germany. All throughout | | | | including China, Brazil, United Kingdom, Canada and |
| this country, the energy of wind is used as a | | | | Denmark. Turbines are even manufactured by |
| generator. | | | | Denmark for self-consumption. We are as yet |
| There are many variables which affect the output of | | | | novices in the field. The US has yet to learn to use |
| the electrical energy of the wind. They are the | | | | the power efficiently. |
| location of the turbines, their proximity to each other, | | | | |