Wind Energy - Power of the Turbine

Humans discovered long ago the valuable power of wind energy. From the first time that a sail was placed on a boat, people have been harnessing the power of the wind. Throughout the years, many devices have been invented which implement this abundant source of energy. A definitive example of a machine that uses this natural and renewable resource would be the windmill. The windmill employs the use of a turbine on a mast which converts the straight-line force of the wind and converts it into a rotational force capable of turning a millstone or the shaft of a pump. Although originally designed to mill grain or pump water, the paradigm of the windmill is currently being used to generate electricity. Relatively modern technology has brought us the generator, which uses the torque produced from the spinning turbine to create an electrical current.

The number of wind farms that are being built or proposed is growing at an incredible rate; in fact, it is probably the fastest growing form of alternative energy in the world today. These wind farms are being used more frequently by the electrical utilities to supplement their existing forms of power generation. Even though these wind farms are satisfying an increasing amount of demand for electricity worldwide, the use of small-scale generators are popping up more frequently in backyards as more people are realizing the need to get off the grid and become more self-reliant with regard to their energy needs.

The primary benefit of wind energy as a source of power, is the fact that it does not harm the environment. Besides being non-polluting, it is an infinite supply of energy. Since it is a renewable energy source, it is demanding more attention as an effective and reliable source of power for the future. A benefit for residential customers is the fact that they can, in most cases, sell any excess power generated back to their electrical provider; they not only see an environmental bonus, but an economic one as well. Some residents who choose to erect a wind turbine generator in their yard sometimes face opposition from neighbors who complain about the noise produced by the turbine blades or the change in the view from their picture windows. However, complaints from the neighbors and the intermittent nature of wind energy are about the only drawbacks.

The growing power of the wind turbine is indisputable and that evidence is apparent in almost every civilized location on Earth. Given the existing political climate as it relates to environmental issues, it is obvious that the growth of wind energy as a form of power for the masses will continue at or above its current rate. Wind energy is here to stay thanks to the power of the turbine!