Wind energy - Research Paper Example

16 May, Wind energy: Global warming and unsustainable development are two of the biggest problems of the contemporary age. Massive reliance of people on the conventional sources of energy like fuel has caused a lot of damage to the environment. The carbon emissions have directly contributed to the carbon content, thus increasing global warming. In addition to that, sources of energy are readily depleting. Nevertheless, electricity is the most basic requirement of the contemporary society (Ummets).

There is dire need to look out for cost effective and environment friendly sources if energy like wind energy. Wind is a type of solar energy, which is formed by the uneven distribution of heat coming from the sun in the atmosphere. Different factors contribute to the uneven distribution of heat that include but are not limited to the earth’s rotation, and uneven surface of earth. The terrain of earth, the cover of vegetation on it and the water reservoirs all serve to control the pattern of flow of wind.

If the wind turbines are used to harvest this flow of wind, the motion energy can serve as a potential source of electricity. Wind power and wind energy are terms with the same meaning that explain the process of use of wind to produce the mechanical power (Wing Energy Guide). It is essentially a power which is gained from wind (Smith). When the wind turbines are installed, the kinetic energy contained in wind is transformed into the mechanical energy, which can then be utilized to do various kinds of works like pumping water and crushing grains.

If a generator is installed, the mechanical power thus produced can be changed into electricity that can be used for both domestic and industrial purposes alike. Many unique features are associated with the wind power. (Agt) mentions some of the ways in which the use of wind energy proves much less risky as compared to the use of conventional energy. The risk of increasing fuel price is zero. The protection provided against the carbon effects is marvelous. The users do not have to suffer from lack of supply because of depleting natural resources.

No resource constraints upset the consumers. There is endless reserve of fuel. “Unlike conventional fuels, wind energy is a massive indigenous power source permanently available” (Agt). An additional benefit of the use of wind energy is that it saves the cost of construction of power stations because the wind power stations consume much less equipment and are constructed far more quickly than the stations of traditional sources of energy. Thus, wind energy not only prevents a lot of risks linked with the traditional sources of energy, but it also converts many of them into opportunities.

Wind energy does not damage the environment and relieves us of the stress of depleting natural resources. All that is required to produce electricity from wind is a wind turbine and a generator. The costs associated with its operation and maintenance are much lower as compared to the conventional sources of energy. Wind energy is the ultimate solution for the contemporary energy crisis. Works Cited: Agt, Jereon v. “No Fuel. Wind. Power without fuel.” 2011. Web. 16 May 2011. . Smith, S. E.

“What is Wind Power?” 2011. Web. 16 May 2011. . Ummels, Bart. “Wind Energy: The Sky is the Limit.” 2011. Web. 16 May 2011. . Wind Energy Guide. “Wind Energy Basics.” n.d. Web. 16 May 2011. .