6.12 Wind Energy

electricity generation

kinetic energy of moving air (wind) spins a turbine; generator converts mechanical energy of turbine into electricity

wind turbines clustered in groups (wind project or farms) un flat, open areas (usually rural)

makes services, repairs, and building transmissions lines t them easier; can share land with agricultural us

offshore wind = wind farms in oceans or lakes

capitalizes on faster wind speed, requires transmission lines built across long distances to reach land though

benefits

non-depletable (isn’t decreased by its use), no GHG emissions or air pollutant released when gen. electricity, no CO2 (climate change) or NOx, SOx, PM as with burning FFs, can share land uses (doesn’t destroy habitat or cause soil/water contamination as FFs do)

drawbacks

intermittency (isn’t always available), cant replace base-load power (sources that are always available like Fs, nuclear, or geothermal), can kill birds and bats, can be considered an eyesore or noise pollution