| The power of wind can be used to provide | | | | the wind's kinetic energy. The wind turns the |
| energy for people across the world, no matter | | | | blade. The blade is connected to a drive |
| where they live. | | | | shaft that turns a generator to produce |
| | | | electricity. Wind turbines need wind speeds |
| You see a sailboat gliding across the ocean | | | | over 12 miles/hour to be successful. When |
| pushed by its harmless wafts, you get some | | | | winds get too high the turbines are able to |
| relief on a hot day from it's gentle breeze | | | | keep the blades from being damaged and |
| and a pinwheel starts spinning to a | | | | turning too fast through the use of a brake. |
| youngsters delight from it's puff of air. | | | | |
| There are also cases of umbrellas being | | | | Wind power plants consist of about a dozen |
| turned inside out, shingles being blown off | | | | wind turbines machines and are called wind |
| rooftops and tornados causing ruins from its | | | | farms. These farms are owned and operated by |
| strong gusts. By using it to our advantage, | | | | businessmen known as Independent Power |
| we can turn it into a renewable source of | | | | Producers. The electricity produced on a wind |
| energy, which will not cause pollution and | | | | farm is collected and transmitted through |
| will produce a clean energy alternative to | | | | long distance high power lines. It is |
| harmful fossil fuels. | | | | important to locate these farms in ideal |
| | | | areas where the most wind can be captured. |
| Wind energy has existed through time. Ancient | | | | This is why you will find them located in |
| peoples used it for sailing ships, grinding | | | | high altitudes and open areas such as |
| wheat and pumping water. Today, wind energy | | | | hilltops, open plains and shorelines. |
| is the world's fastest-growing energy source | | | | |
| and we are able to use it to produce | | | | The advantages to wind power are many. It is |
| electricity. This source of energy is a | | | | a clean form of energy that is non-polluting |
| renewable resource that became popular during | | | | and does not produce global warming effects. |
| the oil crisis of the 70's. | | | | Although large, it allows for land use under |
| | | | the wind turbines for farming. Some |
| Wind energy is captured through the use of | | | | disadvantages are it can have a damaging |
| wind turbine machines. There are two types | | | | effect on the wild bird population. Also, |
| that are available. The horizontal axis | | | | some people consider them eyesores. |
| machine consists of propellers with three | | | | |
| blades. It is usually around 20 stories tall | | | | As new technologies emerge, wind power will |
| and 200 feet wide. The vertical axis machine | | | | become a more cost effective source of |
| consists of blades that go from bottom to | | | | energy. The government currently issues tax |
| top. They are 100 feet tall and 50 feet wide. | | | | credits for its use and there are green |
| Propellers on wind turbines are large so as | | | | pricing programs available. There is also a |
| to capture a great volume of air. They can be | | | | renewed concern for the environmental damage |
| angled or turned to face the wind for maximum | | | | that the uses of fossil fuels create. As we |
| effect. | | | | search for an alternative to fossil fuels, |
| | | | the answer to our energy problems may just be |
| The machines work by using the blades to hold | | | | blowing in the wind. |