Wind Energy

By Evan Ruderman

What is it?• Conversion of wind energy

into a useful form of electricity

• Over past 5 years installations have grown by 27.6%

• Currently generates 2.5% of world’s needed energy

• Will be able to generate 3.35% by 2013

• Should be able to generate 8% by 2018

Can be utilized greatly:

• Denmark- 21%• Portugal- 18%• Spain- 16%• Ireland- 14%• Germany- 9%

Types of Wind Energy

• Sail- propel a ship• Windmills- mechanical

energy• Wind pumps- pumping

or draining water• Wind turbines- make

electricity (wind farms- 100s of wind turbines)

History• Has been used to propel boats for over 5,500 years• Began to be used to power irrigation pumps in 7th century• 1887- UK began experimenting with wind power, the US

began to experiment with it too• January 1888- Charles F. Brush harvested electricity,

powered his house and lab with it• 1970’s NASA started testing, developed many modern

features of the wind turbine• Modern turbine industry started in 1979 by Danish

ManufacturersFirst wind farm in US was on Crotched Mountain

Offshore Wind Energy

• Wind farms can be built offshore

• Offshore offers better wind speeds

• Some people complain it ruins coastline

Downsides

• Visual impairment• Noise (nearby)• Sometimes need to

clear land• Sometimes need to

build roads• Can be unpredictable

Overall

Pros• Alternative to fossil fuels• Renewable• Can be used on or offshore• Very clean• No green house gases

produced• About same price as coal or

natural oil• Uses little land

Cons• Can visually impair• Sometimes land needs to be

cleared• Can be unpredictable