Wind Energy – Good or Bad?

 

Renewable wind energy is the fastest growing source of power of any renewable energy sources and technologies.

With renewable wind energy, the flow of air turns wind turbines to create electricity.

 

Here are some good and bad points about wind power:

Good

• The fuel, i.e. the wind, is free!
• Domestic wind turbines are relatively inexpensive to buy and install
• Domestic wind energy systems can be grid connected or stand-alone
• Wind turbines don’t need a large area of space. This allows the land beneath to be used.
• There is no waste associated with wind energy
• Wind power does not produce carbon dioxide emissions
• Excess electricity can be sold to energy companies

Bad Points

• The wind constantly changes – meaning that electricity production is variable and can be nil
• Wind turbines are not suitable for all locations as wind frequency and speeds needs to be taken into consideration
• Wind turbines, especially industrial-sized models, are often considered to be unsightly
• Large wind turbines in particular can be noisy – although this has improved with new designs