From Guest Blogger Heather Legg: Is Wind Energy Getting Blown Away?

Wind energy – maybe one thinks of old wooden windmills and tulips when they think of wind energy, but reality shows new state of the art wind turbines that have the capacity to power around 250 homes from a single megawatt of wind energy. These sleek, modern machines are becoming more and more visible throughout the world.

The United States ranks third in the world, only behind Germany and Spain, when it comes to wind energy development and installed wind energy, according to National Geographic.

The U.S. actually has the two largest wind farms, both based in Texas. Iowa is a runner up in production of wind megawatts from wind, followed by California, according to the American Wind Energy Association.

What is about wind energy, though?

Should man use more of it? Is it more trouble than it’s worth; why else would there be opponents to it?

Just like any other energy source, one can find pros and cons, opponents and proponents, and decisions on usage need to be formed.

Here’s a quick list of those pros and cons:

Pros:

1. Wind is a clean, renewable source of energy and does not produce any air or water pollution. We will always have wind as long as the sun continues to shine and warms the air.

2. Depending on the size of the turbine, huge amounts of energy can be gathered, and anywhere from 1 to 600 homes can be powered from a single turbine. Small turbines can be used for private homes.

3. Wind turbines are low cost. With mass production and advances in technology, they are becoming cheaper to make. Once you have the turbine, the cost is next to nothing because wind is free. Because of the rise in wind energy, some governments are offering tax incentives to use them.

4. Land where turbines are installed can also be used for farming so the land isn’t just committed to the wind turbines.

Cons:

1. Some people complain about the unsightliness of the turbines and the noise generated from them.

2. One of the most negative aspects of the turbines is that they can kill birds and bats that fly into the blades. However, animals are also killed by power lines and other manmade structures.

3. The wind must be blowing to generate electricity, and wind isn’t something to be controlled.

4. The upfront cost can be quite high to install wind turbines, and they are not practical for urban areas.

5. Storms can damage wind turbines adding to cost if they need replacement or repair.

As with any energy source, there is a long list of both pros and cons.

The best you can do is weigh each one to see what is feasible to help with man’s current energy issues.

Perhaps garnering wind energy for one’s total energy use is not the answer right now, but in combination with other methods, wind turbines and using energy from these could be a piece of the puzzle people have been looking to solve.

If you are using or in favor of wind energy, what have your experiences been with it to date?

About the Author: Heather Legg is a writer who covers a variety of topics from small business to clean living to construction recycling.