WIND? Why not? It produces no emissions and requires no mining, drilling, or dumping of hazardous waste i.e. mercury or arsenic. The wind can provide a clean green renewable energy. It can happen rain or shine and it is capable of producing cheaper energy than solar or nuclear power. It does however have its drawbacks. The towers can take up large spaces of land and can be rather unsightly. They also can be problematic to birds and bats, however this is not more than radio towers, buildings or plans. Also innovations in structure are decreasing the effects of towers on wildlife. Most believe that wind turbines are noisy, but a wind farm at a distance of 750 Ft makes the sound of a refrigerator.
The possibilities of wind can come in big and small forms. German architects are working on a turbine that is 600 Ft tall with blades that are 200 feet long. These would be impractical on land but in the water they could be built on the continental shelf where the wind blows more consistently than on land. The problem with these is when the wind stops, like solar power there is not a practical way to store a large amount of energy, therefore a coal plant would have to be turned on to power the wind turbines. Turbines can also be small enough to fit in your backyard, one that stands on a tower as tall as a telephone pole can produce enough power for a house and batteries can be used in a lull.
posted by Samantha @ 11:04 AM
3 Comments:
You comment about wind energy is very interesting. Actually I have found another interesting article about solar energy.
Uses of Solar Energy (you won’t believe it)
You want to look at the uses of having alternative sources of energy, have a look at this, you would not believe it.
“Test confirms 'sadhu' abstained food, water for 66 years” – Press Trust of India
Sadhu is Hindi for sage. A 76-year old man, he has scientifically proved that he neither ate nor drank anything for the past 66 years. At first the medical community did not believe this, but after a close 10-day observation, including sonography twice a day, at the Neuro ICCU of Sterling Hospital, it was proven. The medical community has tested and found that the sage, named Jani has the ability to survive without food and water. The hospital has confirmed that Jani not only refrained intake through mouth or any other route but he also did not excrete, while under observation. "No doubt, his bladder produced 400 ml urine during the day, but the next day it was absorbed by the bladder itself", Dinesh Desai, a doctor at the Sterling Hospital said. "Though no normal person can continue without passing stool or urine for more than seven days, Jani is absolutely normal and shows the same physiological process like any other person. He is fit and fine," Dr VN Shah, a member of the Association of Physicians of Ahmedabad (APA), said.
There was another case like this in India, and that guy did not receive much attention from the media and government. Last I read about him at www.hindustantimes.com, the official website for an Indian newspaper was that, NASA was studying how he converted solar energy into food (much like plants), since it would help astronauts a great deal.
This seems like one of the best options to me. I have seen the devices in many spots, and it seems like the negatives of the option of using wind are much smaller than the others, and it seems like a much more likely chance of using wind than these others that have been discussed. About them being unsightly - that seems like a little thing in comparison to paying way too much money, and it being terrible for the environment. The other negatives you mentioned, such as the birds and bats, also seem to be a small price to pay. Do you know how much energy these can supply and if they are in the process of making them any more efficient? also, is this a method that is spreading widely? i know that i see them mostly when i'm driving down the highway. In addition, i was unaware that they make much noise, they must not be terrible since i've seen them and never heard them
A presentation during Public Speaking last semester was really the first time I learned about wind energy. I found it really interesting. It seems so harmless, quiet, safe, dependable and practical.
Much like solar energy though, I feel like people are slow to catch on since trying new things is risky.
Does anyone know of companies or anyone who uses wind power around here? I know the presentation was by a girl whose father was involved with a wind energy company but I dont remember where she was from.
Maybe when some of the kinks get worked out about storage of power when there is not much wind, and placing towers in areas that will not offend anyone, then the use of wind power will gain popularity.
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