Wind Energy
Wind energy
is energy from wind converted into mechanical energy and then electricity: a
windmill. Wind power is
generated by the turning of blades that are connected to a magnet generator
that turns to make power (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power). Wind provides about 1.5 percent of
the world’s energy, and is gaining popularity rapidly (WWEA 2009), as it is a
renewable, clean energy source with potential to significantly reduce GHG
emissions and dependence on imported fuels. Globally, wind power has usually
been limited to the large utility scale from huge wind farms on land and at sea,
but recently turbines and generators have become scaled down to provide
electricity for well-situated, off-grid property owners (50 kilowatts or less); http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/technology/technologyaccelerator/small-wind.
Studies suggest that wind towers and turbines may kill significant numbers of bats (BCI 2005); this has not been conclusively demonstrated for birds (Marris and Fairless 2007). No one suggests that a single turbine (as opposed to wind farms) would do any real harm to aerial wildlife. Wind energy systems have large up-front costs, and likely won’t provide sufficient home power without strong, reliable wind and room for a large unit (not to mention tower-friendly building codes). The ideal situation is a rural location where the wind blows an average annual speed of nine or more mph and is so remote that it would cost less to purchase wind technology than to connect to the grid. California offers rebates on wind energy equipment, but may require a grid connection. See “Energy Efficiency Programs.”
Citations:
Bat Conservation International (BCI). 2005. Caution Regarding Placement of Wind Turbines on Wooded Ridge Tops. http://vawind.org/Assets/Docs/BCI_ridgetop_advisory.pdf
Marris, E. and D. Fairless. 2007. Wind farms’ deadly reputation hard to shift. Nature 447:126.
World Wind Energy Association. 2009. World Wind Energy Report 2008. http://www.wwindea.org/home/images/stories/worldwindenergyreport2008_s.pdf
