How Does Wind Power Work

The wind is ever present even if we do not see or feel it; it is still there. To get a clear understanding of the power of the wind, you must realize how it is created. Wind energy is really a form of solar energy when you come to think about it. The wind is made because of the uneven heating of the earth's atmosphere. The earth is not an even place there are mountains and valleys. These irregularities combined with the rotation of the planet create the conditions that are necessary to produce wind. Solar energy has been used in day-to-day applications like powering a solar fountain or solar water heater. However, wind energy has not become as commonly used as solar energy.

The air surrounding the earth heats and cools at varying degrees. The heat that has been absorbed by the vegetation, sand, stone, water and the different types of soil is released into the air. Hot air rises and is replaced by cooler air from the upper atmosphere. This rising and falling produces what we call wind.

Wind power can be used for many things. It is kinetic energy, this means it was created by some mass in motion. Man has been harnessing this kinetic energy for centuries. They learned how to convert it to electricity and now technology has improved upon how it is both captured and converted. It can be mechanical as well as electrical.

Wind power is one of the most pure, clean and renewable. This is a form of energy that can be used to cut down on the amount of toxic gas that is sent into the atmosphere, from the use of fossil fuels. We have at our disposal an inexhaustible supply of kinetic energy just waiting to be harvested. The transformation of kinetic energy to other forms of energy does not release any type of pollutant, not into the air, water or the land.

There are reasons that some give for not readily implementing this form of energy harvesting. It would take up quite a bit of acreage and this is not good for developers. Wind turbines have to be located in coastal areas or on open plains.

We have sprawled all over the planet. The need for homes and agricultural lands takes precedence over wind turbines. What the future holds for the use of wind power remains to be seen. That it should be used before we are in desperate need is the hope of almost everyone who loves this planet. Just the way Rain Barrels are used to harvest rain water, we need to use wind turbines to harvest wind energy.

Wind energy leaves almost no footprint and we could still enjoy our televisions, microwaves and air conditioning units. The cost of producing this form of energy is declining with each new technological advance. Maybe in our children's lifetime the planet will be safe from the ills caused by fossil fuels.

Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com

How to Advice .com