| As wind power becomes more of a major player on | | | | Denmark, Germany, the United States and Spain. |
| the worldwide energy scene, interest in this | | | | As the need to replace fossil fuels becomes very |
| alternative source is growing. Understanding the | | | | evident, the spotlight is on this renewable source of |
| advantages and disadvantages of wind energy can | | | | energy for good reasons. |
| help shed some light on why this power choice is | | | | Today, however, all of that has changed. Thanks to |
| taking off. It can also help explain why its use isn't | | | | a better understanding of the advantages of wind |
| quite as prevalent as many would like to see. | | | | energy, its use and production is on the rise in a very |
| Read How to Make Homemade Wind Turbines | | | | big way. |
| & Wind Power Generation | | | | The advantages of wind energy are known and put |
| The advantages and disadvantages of wind energy | | | | into practice in countries all over the world. From India |
| are best examined separately. The advantages of | | | | and China to America and Denmark, the power of |
| this source of power include: | | | | the wind is used to heat and cool homes, keep lights |
| • Clean energy - Unlike fossil fuel | | | | running and more. |
| combustion-based energy production, wind power | | | | The increase in wind energy use has been prevalent |
| does not cause environmental damage. This source | | | | in the last few years. In America, for example, the |
| of energy simply does not produce greenhouse | | | | capacity for production of wind power grew by 45 |
| gasses like coal and natural gas do. | | | | percent in the year 2007 alone. |
| • It's renewable - Of all the advantages and | | | | European countries, such as Spain and Germany, rely |
| disadvantages of wind energy, this is one of the | | | | on wind power to augment to their electrical grids to |
| biggest points that make wind stand out. Unlike fossil | | | | the tune of a few percent of total power production. |
| fuels, wind energy simply cannot be depleted. | | | | Denmark, however, boasts the highest use at 20 |
| • Its costs - This is another major perk on the list | | | | percent of its total electrical production. |
| of advantages and disadvantages of wind energy. | | | | So, how are the advantages of wind energy fueling |
| The reality is wind power is fairly cheap in comparison | | | | the increased movement toward this form of |
| to other forms of renewable energy. Its costs are | | | | alternative power? |
| estimated at roughly 6 cents per kilowatt hour. | | | | A careful examination of the benefits of wind's use |
| • Its multipurpose functioning - The creation of | | | | will make this clear. The pros of using wind power |
| wind farms in rural areas can assist the economy. | | | | include: |
| This type of harvesting operation can take place on | | | | • Cost effectiveness - As fossil fuels continue to |
| land that is used for ranging and farming food, as | | | | be more costly, many power producers are looking |
| well. This means farmers can earn extra money off | | | | for viable alternatives. Of all of the choices out there, |
| their land as they help harvest energy. | | | | wind power is the most economical of the renewable |
| While the pros on the list of advantages and | | | | energy sources. This is good news for power |
| disadvantages of wind energy are quite strong, there | | | | companies that need to boost their capacity and |
| are some cons people need to be aware of. | | | | want to do so in a greener, yet efficient way. |
| They include: | | | | • The green factor - This is one of the biggest |
| • Cost competiveness - It is not always feasible | | | | advantages of wind energy. The reality is that wind is |
| for the production of wind energy to compete with | | | | a renewable resource. It does not go away - at least |
| the pricing of fossil fuel based energy. This, however, | | | | for long. Plus, it is a clean source of energy. Wind |
| is changing. | | | | power does not release emissions into the |
| • Access - This can be one of the biggest cons | | | | atmosphere. It does not produce greenhouse gases. |
| on the list of advantages and disadvantages of wind | | | | And, it doesn't leave a negative footprint behind. |
| energy. The reality is the best producing wind farms | | | | • The capacity - Although it does take fairly |
| are in remote locations. This can make overseeing | | | | sizeable wind farms to produce energy for the |
| sites and providing maintenance difficult. It can also | | | | power grid, the reality is the capacity turbines can |
| impede plugging into the grid. | | | | produce is rather impressive. In America, for example, |
| • Intermittent nature - Like it or not, wind power | | | | one percent of the total energy production today |
| can be fickle. Production does tend to be intermittent | | | | now comes from wind power. |
| and can cause some supply issues. | | | | The advantages of wind energy are making this |
| The advantages and disadvantages of wind energy | | | | alternative power source stand out from the pack. |
| aside, this form of power is becoming more popular. | | | | This cleaner, cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels |
| Its use now accounts for 1 percent of the world's | | | | has been making big headway in recent years for |
| total energy production. This form of power is widely | | | | very good reasons. |
| used in countries all over the world, including | | | | |