The potential for wind power is huge. There is enough wind energy off shore from the US to power the country 4 times over. Offshore wind turbines are being built around the world at increasing rates but there are presently no offshore wind turbines in the US. Floating wind turbines is potentially an explosively important technology as is aerial wind turbine technology.
Like any other generation method, it has its up and downsides.
It requires no fuel, and makes no carbon emissions during operation. They're compatible with activities like raising crops (which solar is not). They work independently of one another, so losing one turbine does not affect the operation of its neighbors.
However, turbines are noisy and annoying in populated areas, and can kill flying life. They only work when the wind is blowing. Transmission lines must be sized to carry full output, but rarely carry it (expensive). Their main problem is their output cannot be controlled, and without energy storage or other control, can make grid operation difficult. Having too much random power can overwhelm the ability of backup generators to follow load, and cause frequency and voltage excursions that can cause a power failure.
DK
Really beautiful seeing them constantly turning in Germany. Two months in Bremerhaven, Germany and I never saw them stop once. Putting them in areas where there isn't a constant wind just to get tax credits and govt. subsidies shouldn't be allowed.
They will never reach their potential until a cheap way of storing energy is devised. Pumped hydro is good, but not available everywhere. My windmill pumps water up to a holding tank in the house and heats it. If the wind isn't blowing, it's heated by solar or the grid. If the water tank is full and heated, I wash clothes or get the freezer even colder. Then there is always space heating it can do. My only ways to store the electricity it produces; pumped water, heated water, clean clothes, frozen food or heated room.
The U.S. Department of Energy states that wind energy is one of the fastest-growing energy sources in the world. Wind energy is a clean fuel source, and it's being used to provide some electrical power within society.
I think they're a good idea right now - particularly in areas which experience a lot of wind - and I think they could be could viably in the future as a collaborative fuel as well as solar, hydroelectric, geothermal etc. I know a lot of people are putting their weight behind nuclear though, given the amazing quantities of energy released from the fission of a single uranium atom (40,000 times that of the energy a carbon atom releases when combusted),
Anyway, I'm interested in people's opinions about them. If anyone knows good facts or sites for them, I'd be really interested in them. :)
