“Renewable energy sources, like wind power, now generate almost a third of the UK’s electricity” 1. One of the biggest problems in the world is the changing weather and many scientists believe in global warming due to people and greenhouse gases. However, one of the best solutions is exploit renewable power such as wind power. Wind power is a power extracted from the kinetic energy of wind by air turbines to produce electricity and it is considered an electromechanical type. It is in all areas but availability varies from one area to another. However, it is not recommended to place air turbines in urban areas because of obstacles that prevent wind speeds from being used. While should place it in rural areas due to wide areas and rare buildings.
Wind is not a modern source of energy, it was the beginning of the use of this energy in Egypt. The Egyptian was using it in sailboat management about 3000 BC. However, the use of this energy did not stop. It was evolved until air turbines arrived to Europe in the 12th century. The first one who uses the wind to reduce electricity was “Charles Brush” Where he built an air turbine in Cleveland, Ohio. Brash’s turbine was work 20 years while “Brash” stopped working with wind and moved to another works. In 1940, the Denmark became the center for the study of air turbines. But the real development of wind power was the increase in oil price in 1970. And in 1980, the development of air turbines was considered to be a modern form.
Pros and cons
Wind energy is right up there with solar power as one of the fastest-growing sources of energy in the world. The United States is actually aiming to produce 20 percent of its electricity through the power of the wind by 2030. In the coming decade, the wind will help to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and help put a stop to the release of greenhouse gases polluting the environment. Here are some of the pros and cons associated with wind energy.
First of all, Wind energy is known as a green energy source. That’s because it doesn’t pollute the environment in the way that fossil fuels, nuclear power, and coal do. While it is true that the process to build a wind turbine has a small effect on the environment, the effect is minuscule in comparison to that caused by dirty energy sources and far counterbalanced by the environmental effect of using green energy over dirty. Secondly, it can diversify the economics of a rural community. Also, may it add or attract new industries to certain locations. Finally, it is creating jobs and providing income for farmers, as well as providing economic benefits to communities.
On the other hand, while the turbines allow reducing greenhouse gases, it contributes to the warming of the Earth’s surface because of how the turbines distribute hot and humid air in the atmosphere. Some researchers said that the supply of electricity by wind energy will lead the area which spread the turbines in it to warming. The turbines need very large space and very high cost to build and install. Also, it is a low-energy source. Although the wind is renewed, it is not permanent but seasonal. An annoying sound comes out while the turbines working that can never be tolerated.
Electricity is one of the best things that wind power has provided, because it has helped to reduce costs that countries paid for generators and the build of power plants. Electricity production by wind power relies on some procedures. There are several types of turbines, the most widespread and able to generate power is what is in the form of huge fan up to the surface of the earth for 110 meters. It is estimated that the production of these turbines of energy about 500-1300 megawatts, and whenever larger the size of the turbine increased the volume of energy produced. When the wind blows, the turbine fins start to move, and with the turn of the turbine fins the connected motor rotates. Then, the resulting electrical energy is saved in batteries. And electrical energy increases when wind power is stronger.
Wind energy uses
• Pumping water using wind power pumps. It spreads a lot in Australia, some countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America. It may soon be used to generate electricity on farms and homes.
• Move ships and push their sails. It is available permanently and continuously renewable.
The future of energy
Nowadays, there is a plan which is increase depending on renewable energy. The Governments have established specialized bodies for the research and use of new and renewable energies such as Egypt. The Egyptian government has pledged for some years that its dependence on renewable energy sources will reach 20% of the total energy produced by 2020. In Europe, in Denmark, wind energy for the country’s total energy needs reaching to 140%, and it is exported to Germany, Norway and Sweden. Also, in Netherlands, they try to achieve this achievement.
The concept of applying the wind energy as official source will need times to apply it because there are not many countries use it because of it is cost is very high, but it a clean way to produce electricity that will not harm the environment and produce electricity in the future. Also, we can spend wind energy for our own enjoyment such as sports and activities, to decrease carbon emissions and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.