Wind power is just wind moving propellers that spin. When they spin it starts a generator and that produces electricity. The wind is caused by the sun heating the earths surface unevenly. Most wind power comes from turbines that can stand to about as high as a 20-story building, and it has three 200ft long propellers. Before, farmers used windmills to grind their grain and to pump water. As long as the sun shines the wind will blow. In the past ten years wind power use has grown to over 25%. Although, it only produces a small amount of the worlds energy. Many people are using wind turbines to wring electricity from the breeze. The biggest wind turbines generate enough electricity to supply about 600 U.S. homes. The wind spins the blades, which turns a shaft that is connected to a generator that creates the electricity. That is how the energy is produced. These turbines are located on wind farms. Wind farms can be found onshore, on ridge lines, at the tops of rounded hills, open plains and gaps in mountains; near shore - on land within 3km of a shoreline, or offshore - generally 10km or more from land. Wind farms have tens and sometimes hundreds of these turbines lined up together in windy spots, like along a ridge. Offshore farms cost more to build but produce more electricity because they usually stand in open, windier spots. Although it is a clean renewable energy source it can kill many flying animals, such as bats, and birds. Some people think wind turbines are ugly and complain about the noise the machines make. It is also an impact on natural landscape. The wind is also variable: If it's not blowing, there's no electricity generated. Wind power is growing, lots of people use it now. Wind power is just a form of solar energy, so as long as the sun shines the wind will blow. There are benefits and arguments about wind power but otherwise it is a good renewable source of energy.
Bronson Garel
Amber Franco
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/wind-power-profile/, national geographic
http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/wind-power/, AE wind power
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2007/dec/10/windpower.renewableenergy, The Guardian
Wind power is just wind moving propellers that spin. When they spin it starts a generator and that produces electricity. The wind is caused by the sun heating the earths surface unevenly. Most wind power comes from turbines that can stand to about as high as a 20-story building, and it has three 200ft long propellers. Before, farmers used windmills to grind their grain and to pump water. As long as the sun shines the wind will blow.
In the past ten years wind power use has grown to over 25%. Although, it only produces a small amount of the worlds energy.
Many people are using wind turbines to wring electricity from the breeze. The biggest wind turbines generate enough electricity to supply about 600 U.S. homes. The wind spins the blades, which turns a shaft that is connected to a generator that creates the electricity. That is how the energy is produced.
These turbines are located on wind farms. Wind farms can be found onshore, on ridge lines, at the tops of rounded hills, open plains and gaps in mountains; near shore - on land within 3km of a shoreline, or offshore - generally 10km or more from land. Wind farms have tens and sometimes hundreds of these turbines lined up together in windy spots, like along a ridge. Offshore farms cost more to build but produce more electricity because they usually stand in open, windier spots.
Although it is a clean renewable energy source it can kill many flying animals, such as bats, and birds. Some people think wind turbines are ugly and complain about the noise the machines make. It is also an impact on natural landscape. The wind is also variable: If it's not blowing, there's no electricity generated.
Wind power is growing, lots of people use it now. Wind power is just a form of solar energy, so as long as the sun shines the wind will blow. There are benefits and arguments about wind power but otherwise it is a good renewable source of energy.
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