Wind: An Energy Source Alternative
Wind power is a renewable source of energy. Wind turbines convert the wind’s kinetic energy into mechanical or electrical energy that can be used for power. Wind energy is viewed as a clean alternative to fossil fuels and can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Wind energy can provide a lot of benefits to the ecosystem and economy of the United States. While wind energy does have a lot of perks, some people argue that wind energy is an expensive and unreliable source of energy. Do the benefits of using wind energy outweigh their flaws to be a long-term solution to reduce the use of fossil fuels? Would converting to wind energy be a solution for reducing fossil fuel usage and greenhouse emissions? Benefits …show more content…
One of the disadvantages of wind energy is the initial cost. According to the Iowa Energy Center the initial cost of a residential 5 kW system is $15,000 and a commercial 50 kW system is $100,000 (5). Another disadvantage is that wind energy turbines are mostly located in remote locations. Due to the height of wind turbines some city codes may prevent them being installed in cities which forces them to more remote areas. This can also lead to energy being lost during transmission and distribution …show more content…
Wind energy turbines can be dangerous to wildlife. These turbines can kill bats and birds when they accidently fly into them. Stray cats can also be affected because birds and bats can be a food source. The effects the turbines have on the environment are the roads that have to be built to lead to them. They would also destroy the natural habitats of various animals. Wind turbines can cause noise pollution that can lead to health problems such as hypertension, impaired cognitive development, minor psychiatric disorders and sleep disturbance (7). Finally, another disadvantage that wind energy has is its reliability. Wind does not blow consistently and the location of turbines can determine how much energy is stored. If the weather conditions prevent winds from occurring, then the electricity supply can be limited and costly due to supply and demand. Wind direction can influence how the wind turbines rotate and affect how much energy is
Wind power is a renewable source of energy. Wind turbines convert the wind’s kinetic energy into mechanical or electrical energy that can be used for power. Wind energy is viewed as a clean alternative to fossil fuels and can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Wind energy can provide a lot of benefits to the ecosystem and economy of the United States. While wind energy does have a lot of perks, some people argue that wind energy is an expensive and unreliable source of energy. Do the benefits of using wind energy outweigh their flaws to be a long-term solution to reduce the use of fossil fuels? Would converting to wind energy be a solution for reducing fossil fuel usage and greenhouse emissions? Benefits …show more content…
One of the disadvantages of wind energy is the initial cost. According to the Iowa Energy Center the initial cost of a residential 5 kW system is $15,000 and a commercial 50 kW system is $100,000 (5). Another disadvantage is that wind energy turbines are mostly located in remote locations. Due to the height of wind turbines some city codes may prevent them being installed in cities which forces them to more remote areas. This can also lead to energy being lost during transmission and distribution …show more content…
Wind energy turbines can be dangerous to wildlife. These turbines can kill bats and birds when they accidently fly into them. Stray cats can also be affected because birds and bats can be a food source. The effects the turbines have on the environment are the roads that have to be built to lead to them. They would also destroy the natural habitats of various animals. Wind turbines can cause noise pollution that can lead to health problems such as hypertension, impaired cognitive development, minor psychiatric disorders and sleep disturbance (7). Finally, another disadvantage that wind energy has is its reliability. Wind does not blow consistently and the location of turbines can determine how much energy is stored. If the weather conditions prevent winds from occurring, then the electricity supply can be limited and costly due to supply and demand. Wind direction can influence how the wind turbines rotate and affect how much energy is