Wind Energy
Wind energy is the harnessing of natural power and converting it into electrical energy through the medium of wind turbines. To date only 1.5% of the world’s electrical utilization is generated through wind energy. But some countries have managed to exploit wind energy with remarkable results. 19% of electrical power generated in Denmark for instance, is from wind energy. Wind energy being renewable, is the preferred choice of many environmentalists as it is plentiful, renewable, and entails no greenhouse gas emissions.
Traditionally, wind energy has been harnessed for centuries. The old-fashioned sailing boat that has been in existence from the dawn of history is arguably the oldest example. Wind energy was the sole source of motivation of sailing ships till perhaps a hundred odd years ago. History reveals that as far back as a 17th century BC, wind energy was harnessed for irrigation projects in the Babylonian empire. The Sinhalese exploited wind energy from monsoon winds as far back as 300 BC to power their furnaces. In Europe, especially the Netherlands, when energy in the form of windmills has been used to number purposes such as grinding corn for instance. Many are still in existence today. In the United States, the water pumping windmill was the single most important factor that allowed the expansion of farming in North America.
The drawback in wind energy is that it is inconsistent being dependent on winds which are times when the seasonal or may not be adequate to drive the turbines to the requisites speeds. Extensive work is being conducted from the ability to store the power generated by wind energy.
Wind energy penetration which is the percentage of power generated by wind to total generation is progressively increasing especially in geographical areas that are largely suit to it.
Tags: Wind Energy