Are you eager to discover more wind farms? According to one study, up to 90% of America’s economy could be supported by wind and solar energy exclusively.
What are we waiting for? We could have a cleaner and greener world tomorrow.
Part of the problem is there are so many myths and lies about wind energy. People even claim that the turbines give you cancer.
It’s unsurprising that many people are confused about the industry. But there are also numerous reasons to be cheerful about the prospect of wind farms in the US.
Check out our guide to everything you need to know about wind farms. Let’s go!
1. Wind Power Isn’t New
We usually think about wind power as totally modern technology. Of course, the industry has been totally transformed over the past couple of decades.
However, it’s not as new as you think. In fact, wind power was used thousands of years ago. That can’t be said for almost any other energy source.
In 5,000 BC Ancient Egypt, wind power was used to propel boats up the Nile River. The wind helped the Persians in 900 BC to grind grain for bread.
Then, wind turbines gradually spread around the world until it reached northern Europe, where it became a mainstay of the energy economy.
Of course, now the power of wind energy is used to generate the electricity that powers our homes. What an amazing history!
2. Wind Energy Is Needed to Fight Climate Change
Did you know that climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing human societies? And yet, we continue to burn fossil fuels that produce greenhouse gas emissions.
These emissions are causing the earth’s atmosphere to heat up. From weather disasters to biodiversity loss, there are numerous consequences of not dealing with climate change.
We need to quickly transform the world’s energy system from dirty fuels, such as coal and oil, to cleaner ones, like wind and solar.
Although wind energy has increased over the past decade, it remains a small percentage of global energy production.
This needs to change radically and quickly if we’re going to halt climate change and escape its consequences.
3. Wind Turbines Have More Than 8,000 Pieces
Wind turbines are extremely complex machines. There are more than 8,000 components that go together to create the wind turbines you see over the landscape.
In fact, many of the components that go into the creation of wind turbines are manufactured in the United States. However, many parts of the wind turbines you see in the US are also manufactured abroad and imported.
4. Wind Industry Is Becoming a Big Employer
There are more than 114,000 workers employed in the wind industry in the United States.
There are a further 11 million people employed globally in the renewable energy sector. But only 1 million of them work indirectly or directly with the wind energy industry.
Nevertheless, you can expect to see huge growth in the number of people working in this thriving industry around the world.
5. Wind Turbines Are Actually Huge
Wind turbines come in many shapes and sizes.
You can purchase your own home wind turbine to sit on the top of your roof. This won’t give you much power, but it’s a great way to support wind energy.
And yet, many wind turbines are significantly larger.
The average onshore wind turbine is actually 466 feet tall. That makes it significantly bigger than the Statue of Liberty.
Moreover, some of the even larger wind turbines are almost the height of Paris’s Eiffel Tower.
When you get up close to a wind turbine, you’ll really see how amazing these machines can be.
6. High Wind Speeds Generate More Electricity
The higher the wind speed, the more electricity is generated.
If you want to reach the windiest parts of the country, you need to get higher and higher.
That’s why the technology is growing so that even bigger wind turbines can ensure the turbines keep ticking over.
7. Wind Energy Is Getting Cheaper
Wind energy is actually getting increasingly more affordable.
Previously, renewable energy like wind and solar weren’t able to compete with fossil fuels, such as coal and gas.
Now, wind energy generation is cheaper than gas and coal.
Faced with the economic decision about whether to keep a coal plant open or build a new wind farm, we are seeing that wind energy is becoming a compelling choice.
Check out AP Gas & Electric to learn more.
8. The Future of Wind Energy
Wind energy has come on leaps and bounds over the past years.
But the future of wind energy looks uncertain. There are calls for the subsidies that have allowed the renewable energy industry to grow to be stopped.
Furthermore, the world’s experts on wind power have said that over one-third of the global energy consumption needs to be obtained from wind power by 2050.
This is excellent if we’re going to achieve the carbon zero goals of an increasing number of governments around the world.
Wind Farms Are Great for the Environment
Now you know everything you need to know about wind farms. Next time someone tells you nonsense about wind turbines, you’ll know the truth.
There are numerous reasons to think that wind turbines are amazing developments in technology. And yet, the wind industry still needs our support to have a cleaner and greener world.
Do you want to discover more about environmental issues? Check out our blog to explore everything you need to know to live a greener way.
