Wind Power is for the Birds

The Basics of Wind Power

Wind energy generates mechanical power or electricity via a wind turbine. The actual power can be channeled to basic mechanical tasks, or a generator, which in turn, turns the mechanical power into electricity. As a renewable resource, wind is among the top technologies involved in providing renewable energy, projected in 1990 to offset billions of pounds of carbon dioxide.  Though appearing at first glance to be more expensive than the construction of fossil-fueled generation, the impact of significantly lower fuel costs balances the total lifecycle cost evaluation. Though viewed as environmentally friendly, these plants do produce noise and are the source of killing birds that fly through the rotors.

For more information on the basics of wind power, refer to the following link:

http://windeis.anl.gov/guide/basics/index.cfm

There is no doubt that wind power fits into a vision for a total energy portfolio, but there are a few issues to resolve before it can become a practical part of the energy solution.