Both wind and coal, while natural resources, have significant differences. The most glaring dissimilarity between the two is one is a renewable resource (wind) and the other is nonrenewable (coal). Wind is classified as a renewable resource because wind is a naturally occurring process that is unlimited and it requires no time to replenish itself. Coal is classified as a nonrenewable resource because it is a substance that takes millions of years to recreate the original amount.
Wind energy has many advantages over other natural resources. Turbines do not pollute the environment at all, unlike fossil fuels and they use a fuel that is free and inexhaustible. It cannot be charged a ridiculous amount like oil and other fossil fuels. Though wind only accounts for a small fraction of the world’s total electricity production (2.5%), the field is rapidly growing at a rate of about 25% per year, creating lots of manufacturing and technical jobs, improving the American economy. Wind also has enormous potential. It could possible generate 20 times more than what the human population needs at full capacity. Because turbines must be spread apart, the spaces of land in-between the turbines can be used for other things, unlike the bulky, close together rows of solar panels needed to harness solar energy. Due to better technology and advances in the field prices of turbines have significantly decreased (80% since 1980).
While wind energy has many advantages, it is not without fault.
Wind energy is clean and renewable. The wind is never going to stop blowing; therefore, there will always be enough to keep the turbines going. While some areas may have more wind than others, there is always wind. Wind turbines do not produce any pollution or waste, making them one of the cleanest energy sources on the planet. However, environmentalists are concerned that with the increase of wind turbines, bird populations with decrease because they are getting hit by the wind turbines and dying. Because of the huge poles in the ground, turbines can cause erosion and disrupt wildlife habitats. Wind turbines are also huge; at 30 meters (100 feet) above the ground, with large spinning blades, they can be a bit of an eyesore. They are also loud and have a deep buffeting sound. But the idea is that the large wind farms will be located in the middle of nowhere so they don’t cause an issue in suburban areas. Small wind turbines may be located in backyards to feed houses directly, but these would be so small that they wouldn’t bother any
Wind energy utilizes the energy of the wind that gust across our country, most overlook the benefits and capabilities of wind, and what it can do for us. The Midwest is prime production area for wind energy but constraints with laws and zoning is preventing towers from being constructed across the united states. In 2016, 29% of greenhouse gasses emitted into the atmosphere is responsible by coal burning electrical production plants. Greenhouse gasses are responsible for climate change, and the melting of the glaciers of Canada and Greenway. But renewable energy is still only 14.9% of the total electricity produced in the United States according to US EIA.
Coal is good example of a nonrenewable resource as well as a fossil fuel, a subcategory of nonrenewable resources. There are two types of nonrenewable resources found: fossil fuels, like coal, natural gas, and oil, and nuclear energy. Since coal is a fossil fuel, it is literally made out of fossils. Coal was only produced once, because there had to be a point in time when the decayed plants would be able to retain their energy from photosynthesis. This energized decayed plant matter became known as peat, which turned into coal as it underwent intense heat and pressure over time. . Coal has many uses, such as steel production and electricity. Coal is not only an important resource, because although there is a limited supply, it can be found all over the world at ancient swamps and mountains making
According to research done by Discovery News, in January 25, 2013, the top 10 countries, by order of most demand and use of wind energy, are: China, United States, Germany, Spain, India, Italy, France, Canada, Brazil, and Denmark. All of these countries are investing money in wind turbine projects because, in the long run, it is going to benefit them from both the economic and ecofriendly point of view (Discovery News). In addition to these top ten countries in the world, there are more countries that have, or are, investing in these types of projects, since this is the future and correct path for the use Renewable Energy as a replacement for fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are harming the environment to the point where in a short amount of time it is going to be almost impossible to live on Earth because of the catastrophic changes the pollution will cause. (Environmental and Energy Study Institute). The controversies caused in
One of the fastest growing energy sources in the world, wind power is a globally advantageous renewable resource.
The cause for this great rate of growth in wind power is contributed to tax incentives and state laws mandating renewable energy research. The nation 's total Wind power production is relatively low but some states like Iowa are investing in it heavily. Wind power produces 4.7 percent of the United States electrical energy and makes up over thirty percent of Iowa 's energy (American Wind Energy Association). Wind energy is gaining a lot of traction in northern states but almost does not exist in the southern states. When it comes to reliability wind energy is inferior to Hydropower. In order for a wind turbine to work wind speeds need to be around 8-55 mph and they are only efficient at wind speeds above 30 mph, anything below that minimal (National Wind Watch). This makes wind turbines less reliable because the wind can vary wildly throughout a day. Wind power also comes with some environmental impacts too. Wind Turbines kill tens of thousands of birds a year do to Turbines essentially being giant metal fans (Hosansky). Bats are especially affected because they rely on echolocation to see and giant moving blades confuse them into running into the blades.
Americans use wind and solar energy because they are not only environmentally friendly, but are affordable and an abundant source of energy. “The United States has some of the best wind resources in the world, with enough potential energy to produce nearly 10 times the country 's existing power needs” (Clean Line
This paper uses the terms natural resource(s), resource(s), and reserve(s) in many different contexts. Please use care when interpreting their usage and context.
Today, we have what is known as wind turbines. These large structures are used as a renewable and free energy source. The way a wind turbine works is very simple. As the wind blows, it moves the blades, which then turns a generator and makes electricity. These wind turbines are only a small source of energy because they work about 65 to 90 percent of the time. When many wind turbines are placed together in one area, it is known as a wind farm. The majority of wind farms are found in Texas and California. Wind farms are hoped to be spread all across the country to become a more prominent source of energy that is not only renewable, but also free.
“A wind turbine is a machine for converting the kinetic energy in wind into mechanical energy”. (1) The inventor of the first electric wind turbine was Clevelander Charles Brush, who ran his entire Euclid Avenue mansion off of one for 20 years, which later made the cover of Scientific American in 1888. (2) Although the use of alternate energy didn't rise a great deal afterward, this event did open the eyes for many environmentalists. Wind power is only one of our several “energy source[s] whose ‘fuel’ is free and will never be exhausted” (3) with the pros and cons not completely weighed out as to whether it will be truly beneficial or not. The two main issues regarding wind turbines are the environmental effects that they have and the
We are facing an energy crisis on Earth. Burning fossil fuels are harming the atmosphere; this global warming and affects produces chemicals that hurt our body. People are starting to think about using alternative energy. Wind power would be our first choice, because it’s clean, inexhaustible and renewable. Today, wind power is mainly used in Europe. We believed wind power would be the main source of alternative energy for world use.
Wind Energy is a viable industry that has become a valuable energy source. The energy generated from wind is clean and efficient. The wind energy industry helps to ensure that electric demands are met, wildlife impact is minimal, the environment is not devastated, as well as creates new jobs during the construction of wind farms, daily operations, manufacturing components, and exporting components to foreign countries.
Fossil fuels are having great impacts toward nature such as global warming and greenhouse effect. Plus, the depletion of it contributes to the rising price of petroleum. Therefore, wind power rise as it is a source of clean, non-polluting renewable energy (Nash, 2008). This type of energy generation provides us with loads of benefits environmentally and economically.
Wind power is a clean and renewable energy that, while at times unreliable, has very low upkeep cost and is growing at a rapid rate. While there is currently enough wind power to provide many times our current energy need, it is unfeasible in reality. Wind power utilizes the kinetic energy of air and uses it to power a generator to produce electricity. Even though dependence on wind power is impossible, it still can provide a strong, clean, quantity of power to supplement current energy production.
Introduces the topic/content; provides an overview of lesson; connects to prior lessons; engages students in lesson.