Wind Energy: How It Works by Sofia RoblesPerez

Background info

sroblesperez3155 — 2023-10-25 14:57:26 UTC

The energy source for these turbines is wind energy. Wind energy is formed by air above land heat, heat rises faster than air above water. Warm air above land expands and rises and heavier, cooler air rushes in to take its place, creating wind. The resource wind resources are found everywhere, even around you!, but depending on where you are the are in the world the wind is warmer or cooler. Wind energy is mostly used for generating energy from wind turbines. Wind Energy is renewable because wind turbines do not release emissions that can pollute the air or water, they also don't require water for cooling.

Obtain, Transport, Transform & storage

sroblesperez3155 — 2023-10-25 14:58:49 UTC

Wind energy is accessible due to wind blades from a turbine that collect the wind's kinetic energy.

Transforming wind energy into usable energy for people comes from water-pumping windmills that were once used throughout the United States. Some still operate on farms and ranches, mainly to supply water for livestock.

Wind energy is transported through electrical companies sourcing it.

Wind energy has increased its demands by 265 Twh in 2022 (up to 14), the second largest was generating 210 in 2022, more than all others combined.

Production and consumption statistics

sroblesperez3155 — 2023-10-25 15:00:01 UTC

The wind energy produce is total annual U.S. electricity generation from wind energy increased from about 6 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) in 2000 to about 380 billion kWh in 2021. In 2022, wind turbines were the source of about 10.2% of total U.S. utility-scale electricity generation. The production is expected to increase since the passage of President Biden's historic Inflation Reduction Act, forecasts for land-based wind energy installed in 2026 have increased nearly 60% from about 11,500 megawatts (MW) to 18,000 MW, which is enough to power an additional two million homes. the consumption of wind energy is about 0.4%.

Economics & Environment

sroblesperez3155 — 2023-10-25 15:12:46 UTC

Some benefits are extra revenue to put towards school budgets, reducing the tax burden on homeowners, and addressing local infrastructure projects.

Some economic drawbacks are that constructing turbines and wind facilities is extremely expensive. The second disadvantage is technology immaturity.

An advantage is that wind turbines do not release emissions that can pollute the air or water. They also don't require water for cooling. Wind turbines may also reduce electricity generation from fossil fuels. Which results in lower total air pollution and CO2 emissions.

An environmental drawback would be that birds and bats can be injured or killed if they are hit by turbine blades. These deaths contribute to declines in the population of species also affected by other human-related impacts.

Wind turbines are 20% to 40% efficient at converting wind into energy. The typical lifespan of a wind turbine is 20 years, with routine maintenance required every six months.