How Wind Turbines Affect the Environment

I believe that as inhabitants of this earth, we all have a responsibility to preserve all that it offers us. We need to take control of hour we are using the earth's resources. We are consistently hearing about environmental concerns and new ways in which we can work on bettering the environment. Society is beginning to understand the severity of the earth's condition and we are beginning to gain an appreciation for the earth's resources. We have begun to recognize that our acts are destroying the earth and we are making it a point to learn about conservation and protection of the earth.

How do wind turbine systems benefit both us and the earth? Wind turbines gather wind energy and convert it into usable electric power. By utilizing the earth's natural resource of wind, we are cutting down on the use of fuels typically used to supply energy. This is also reducing the amount of pollutants that are given off by the fuels. As a result of using the wind for energy, we are saving money on our electricity bills.

Following is a brief description of how wind turbine systems work.

1. The Betz Limit, also known as Betz Law, determines that by using a wind turbine system, you are able to produce almost half the amount of energy that would travel through the turbine. This law is applicable to all wind turbine systems regardless of their size or design. In 1919, German physicist, Albert Betz, came up with this theory. His research showed that a wind turbine system is an effective manner of gathering wind to produce energy.

2. Because windy weather is unpredictable, it is difficult to determine the exact amount of wind that can be produced over a substantial amount of time. Wind distribution is based on geographical location and some locations produce more wind and therefore, more usable energy that other locations. To establish the wind's velocity distribution, a Weibull distribution monitor is used. The Weibull distribution monitor determines distribution ranging from Gaussian to exponential. One example of Weibull distribution is the Rayleigh Model. This model measures the wind distribution shape to a size of two parameters. The Rayleigh Model mimics the wind distribution shape according to the wind velocity per hour and its patterns in a specific location.

3. Some locations have a higher wind speed than others. Because of this, the wind creates more power to use from short gusts. For example, 10000kW of energy created by a wind turbine system provides enough energy to create about one half the amount of power generated by a coal fueled power plant. Reports show that wind turbine power output is pretty consistent annually.

4. Wind turbine system location is important. Generally speaking, when an area sees wind velocity of approximately ten mph, it is an ideal location for a wind turbine system. The location of a wind farm or wind generator system is determined by the science of meteorology. An ideal location to place a wind turbine generator would have a consistent flow of wind as opposed to a location that has short bursts of wind. Wind almost always has a faster speed at high altitudes. This is because there is a reduction in drag from any body of water or low laying land. A good location for wind turbine generators is on flat land where the wind velocity is a smooth, even flow.

5. Wind parks or farms host a collection of wind turbine generators.

As the movement to help preserve and protect the earth and its natural resources catches on, we are learning about different ways to do our part in improving the environment. We are slowly recognizing that our actions are damaging to the earth and that we need to take action to reverse the damage and prevent any further damage. Research shows that up to three percent of the sun's heat reaches the earth and converts into wind energy.

Hopefully this article has provided you with a better understanding of how wind turbines positively affect the environment.