Wind Power

Ferrero Zhang

Iron Horse Middle School, San Ramon, CA, 94583

Although things may seem fine now, the earth won’t be the same today as it will be in the prospective future. As obvious as it can be, our planet is being stripped of its valuable resources, resulting in a degenerating planet. Renewable energy sources are sought from many parts of the world. Wind power, an extremely common technique used all around the world, is a fantastic way to renew energy.

Wind power is a renewable energy source that uses the kinetic energy of wind. It depends on the amount of wind and the speed. Naturally, the more wind, the more energy produced. In other words, in order to use wind power successfully, you must find a place with a consistent and endless wind flow.

Wind power is used through a diversion structure. The most common structure is a windmill. Inside the windmill is a generator that converts the kinetic energy of the wind into usable electricity. The electricity is then transferred to an electrical grid, where the electricity is spread to power businesses, industries, and homes. Roughly 10% of the electricity used around the world comes from wind power.

Figure 1. The structure of wind energy (source: http://www.treehugger.com)

Windmills are often found on the tops of hills, open plains, and water, preferably in mountain gaps that funnel and intensify the wind. Wind speeds are generally faster in places with higher elevation. How the windmill operates is simple. As wind blows past the structure, the three blades at the top spin, transforming the kinetic energy into mechanical energy. A gearbox then spins the generator creating electricity. Most often, power lines are near the windmills, which store and transport the electricity onto an electrical grid to be distributed.

Even though wind power is a great renewable energy source, there are a few downsides. For example, wind is intermittent, meaning that it’s inconsistent and unpredictable. Unlike hydroelectricity and sun energy, wind energy isn’t constant 24/7. Another downside is the impact on wildlife. Windmills are typically massive, built on open plains and coastal areas where they could be used to capture the highest wind speeds. This, however, negatively impacts wildlife, specifically bird species. Direct collisions with the turbine blades cause fatalities, especially during migration periods. Also, the cost of windmills is sky-high, worth around 2 to 4 million dollars each.

Despite these complications, wind power is an excellent source of energy, accounting for 10% of all electricity used. It is also a renewable energy source, releasing no greenhouse emissions. Being clean and common, wind power is known to be the most efficient energy-producing method.