Tapping into Wind Renewable Energy Using Wind Turbines for Wind Electricity

Wind renewable energy is another important alternative energy source and makes use of wind turbines for the conversion of wind energy. According to American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the first quarter of 2011 saw over 1,100 megawatts (MW) of wind power capacity installed -- more than double the capacity installed in the first quarter of 2010.

The U.S. wind industry has added over 35% of all new generating capacity over the past 4 years, second only to natural gas, and more than nuclear and coal combined. Today, in the U.S., wind power capacity represents more than 20% of the world’s installed wind power. As important as wind power might be as a clear energy source, lets still look at the wind energy advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages of wind energy :

• This is an energy source that can truly boost the rural economy due to availability of land (farms or ranches)

• Wind turbines take a lot of vertical space so can be built on a small plot of land

• Wind power is one of the most efficient way among other energy options as the cost per watt is the lowest

• It doesn't contribute at all to greenhouse gas contributions

So, what are the disadvantages of wind energy? Listed below are some:

• The initial cost is still very high compared to other renewable energy options as well as fossil fuels

• Wind turbines tend to be noisy so they have be installed further away from residential and commercial properties

• The aesthetics aspect is a factor for many people as they may not add to the landscape of a location

• Currently, power generated from wind energy needs backup as the supply is intermittent.

Having indicated these disadvantages, wind renewable energy is being extensively used in the United States and abroad as it is a clean source of renewable energy that does not produce environmental pollution. And just like solar alternative energy solar, wind is available to us at no cost, and the operational costs are almost none after a wind turbine installation has been done. With the commercialization of this technology, it is becoming cheaper and offers tax incentives to develop this energy sector further.

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Wind turbines can be installed on a commercial scale as well as for residential purpose. Small wind turbines in the backyard can produce enough electricity (a single megawatt is enough electricity to power about 250 homes) for a single home (or business). The biggest wind turbines can produced a little over 2 megawatts which is enough to supply electricity to about 600 homes. Wind farms (as in solar farms) have numerous (tens to hundreds) turbines put together in a windy spot to tap in this energy source.

Going to wind turbine schools will enable you to get all the technical training and information.

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In terms of dimensions, most turbines can be pretty tall (almost as tall as a 20-story building) and pretty wide (200 feet long) with very big blades (60 meter long). They actually look like a airplane propeller held high in sky. The blades spin due to the availability of the wind which to turn a shaft connected to a generator that produces electricity.If wind renewable energy information interests you then exploring jobs in wind energy will allow you to integrate your interests and training together.

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There, wind renewable energy provides an excellent option as an alternative energy source.

Go to Alternative Energy Sources from Wind Renewable Energy

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