Wind Power
Simply speaking, wind power refers to when the wind force is converted into a form of energy that can be utilized. Examples of this use are windmills, wind sails, wind turbines that make electricity, and wind pumps to pump water. This technology has been around for a long time. Wind power is a renewable source of energy that is available and free for use. The technology for harnessing it for modern applications is relatively new and is starting to catch on, despite wind energy being around for a long time. This is clean energy that does not produce pollutants, and that can be used to power electricity.
Wind farms have been deemed less attractive and not welcomed due to their large appearance, not so much aesthetic; however, there are worst things around on this planet, and this seems to be a cheap argument, when there is so much benefit in harnessing wind power, to make this planet more clean for ours and future generations.
In order to harness this energy, windmills have to be located and installed in regions where the wind is favorable. This means that the wind distribution will be different for different locations, depending on the variations of the wind. This makes the output by the wind turbines, not consistent, as wind speed is never the same, which makes the wind farms output vary.
Large wind farms require a large area to accommodate many wind turbines. Transporting wind turbine components is not easy, as it requires large convoys for only one windmill. In some cases, farm owners rent space for wind turbines and they can still grow their crops below. Other wind farms are constructed off shore were the wind blows stronger. Today, China has the most wind power capacity, followed by the United States. In the United States, a tax credit is given for the generation of wind power. Other countries have their own incentives as well.
Wind power has few environmental effects. It is clean energy, uses no fuel - only for transporting the turbines to location - and produces no pollution. Aesthetics and noise have been the major complaints about wind farms. In addition, bird groups pose that they present a hazard to birds in flight that can collide with the windmills. Bats are at risk as well. However, data shows that fossil fuel production and generation kills more birds than windmills. There have been complaints by people who have started lawsuits due to the loss of value of their property near wind farms.
Since the climate is changing, as well as wind patterns, it is not sure of how this technology will be affected in the future. If wind speed declines, there will be a decline in power generated. Other factors may affect wind speed. These include more forestation, other wind farms as they become more common, and heavy urbanization.
Today's windmills are more attractive and modern looking than the old metal towers; aesthetically they are more visually pleasing and blend much better into the landscape. They seem more stylized and are usually white, resembling a tall flower from a distance. Maybe this may help with their acceptance in more communities.