Wind energy provides various advantages, which illustrates the reason for its rapid development as an energy source around the world. Due to the growth of the human population, additional sources of energy must increase to sustain energy consumption. In addition to current forms of energy production, wind power will assistance in the continuation of human evolution. For this reason, conservationists have concluded that wind power is an effective and supportable method to generate electricity and provide a clean energy. However, opponents of wind power maintain otherwise because there are a small number of negative consequences. If the positive effects and negative effects of wind energy …show more content…
Due to how wind is created, it one of the most sustainable types of energy produced. The electricity that is generated by wind turbines comes from a source which is created free. If the sun shines and the wind blows, the energy yielded can be channeled to direct power across an energy grid. Wind energy is the one of the most renewable forms of energy and could conceivably generate the largest quantity of renewable energy across the planet. Wind energy replenishes naturally, which allows for a limitless supply of energy. Renewable wind energy can produce “worldwide 65,000,000,000 kWh per year (enough power for 6 million U.S. homes), in the U.S.: 16,000,000,000 kWh per year (enough power for 1.6 million homes), and has the potential in the U.S. produce by 2020: enough power for 25 million homes yearly” (Anderson). Opponents of the sustainability/renewability of wind state that is a variable resource and only produces electricity when a turbine is in motion. However, this variability can be compensated for as the wind changes. (With increased storage, wind energy produced could be stored for longer periods of time). Increasing the size and range of wind turbines will compensate for variability. Wind projection tools have allowed for forecasting systems to monitor and adjust for production of wind energy. Through observation and balancing wind energy, the same way other utilities …show more content…
In fact, wind energy is pollution free. Wind energy allows for the conservation of water and does not contaminate water systems. This type of energy source does not utilize water in its production of power. Turbines do not contribute to global warming or acid rain. Wind production also does not produce greenhouse gases. After the initial instillation of the turbine, land is preserved. This allows for wildlife, livestock, grazing land, and forest areas to stay intact. Challengers of wind energy state that negative effects on the environment must be examined. One effect is that turbines can affect migratory patterns of birds and bats. Turbines have also caused the death of these same animals. With the study of migratory patterns in reference to the placement of wind turbines, the death of birds and bats can be minimalized. Marine animals may also be effect by offshore turbines and collection areas.