Activity 3.2.3 - Alternative Energy - Wind Energy

 What is Alternative Energy?

Alternative energy is other forms of energy that is not mainly used. Renewable energy falls under this category for some countries because they do not use them as a main source of energy. They more so rely on non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels or nuclear power (Mutiti, et. al., 2018). 

Wind Energy

Wind power is a type of energy that uses wind to power electricity. Some places have higher wind strength than others which makes those places better to use wind energy. Many of these places are found near the ocean. Wind turbines are used to transfer the wind into energy by using blades that collect the kinetic energy from the wind. This has been used for a long time with windmills. The modern ways of the windmill is used with a generator. Traditional windmills would use wind to pump water or grind grain (Mutiti, et. al., 2018). As wind blows under the blades, it makes the windmill spin. This turns the generator which creates electricity. This form of energy conversion is becoming more popular even in places without high wind power. Wind turbines do not release any pollutants, and water is not required to cool it. The places that these wind farms are located are on crop, pasture, forest land, and coastal areas. This way of creating energy contributes to economic sustainability because it helps to provide some extra income for farmers and ranchers. This allows them to keep their business up and to not allow their land to be used for other purposes. A good example of this would be using windmills instead of mountain top removal for energy (Mutiti, et. al., 2018). Many people choose to use them as a supplemental energy source instead of a primary energy source because electricity is only produced when the wind is blowing. Turbines that are offshore on oceans and lakes most likely have lower environmental impacts than they do on land. Many people are not aesthetically pleased when it comes to these wind turbines being on land. Some of them have even caught on fire and some have even leaked lubricative fluids, but these things are rare (Mutiti, et. al., 2018). They also cause noise pollution which can be disruptive to human and animal populations. Offshore windmills help with noise pollution most of the time. The turbines have also caused numerous bird and bat deaths especially on their migratory routes. It is a major concern especially for the deaths of endangered and threatened species. There is research that is being done to see how they can stop these deaths (Mutiti, et. al., 2018). There are very small impacts that came from the construction of these windmills such as the construction of service roads, production of the turbines, and the concrete for foundations. Wind turbines actually make more energy than the amount it takes to make and install them.

Reference

Mutiti, S., Mutiti, C., Manoylov, K., VandeVoort, A., & Bennett, D. (2018). Introduction to environmental science (3rd ed.). Biological Science Open Textbooks. University System of Georgia.