Wind Energy : One Approach From The Energy Crisis

The energy crisis is nothing new. For too long America has put off and ignored a critically relevant and ever-growing problem; a problem that is at the heart of ongoing issues, which include the condition of our environment, the downturn of our economy, and the state of our national security. For the past thirty-five years, promises have ben made, plans have failed, and the problem still remains. Said President Richard Nixon, in his State of the Union Address in January of 1974. “Let this be our national goal: At the end of this decade, in the year 1980, the United States will not be dependent on any other country for the energy we need to provide our jobs, to heat our homes, and to keep our transportation moving.” Something needs to be done. America needs to turn to a new, healthier and more efficient source of energy.

The United States is the world’s largest energy consumer with about five percent of the world’s population using eighteen percent of the energy, a staggering statistic from the U.S Energy Information Administration, which causes a search for a long-term solution that is both efficient and environmentally conscience (Energy Information Administration).Fossil fuels, which the world depends on for much of its energy production, will not last forever and a renewable source of energy is needed. Thankfully, a solution, wind energy is in sight with the modernization of an old technology that goes back hundreds of years. Wind energy is a form of solar energy; as sure as the sun will shine, the wind will blow and this energy can be harnessed. Opposition to wind energy claim that there are many risks and problems with the system, and would not be feasible on a large scale and which is why the technology was abandoned for fossil fuels. New wind energy technology, however, will replace non-renewable energy sources as an environmentally friendly, sustainable and economic energy source.

As the global supply of fossil fuels becomes steadily lower, need is growing for new energy sources that are beneficial to the environment and cost-effective. Wind power is one solution to this need. Wind turbines require significant investment, but are cost-efficient in the long term. If construction of turbines is sufficiently increased, the wind may be able to in the future provide a very major portion of global energy.

One of the fastest growing energy sources in the world, wind power is a globally advantageous renewable resource.

Have you ever driven down highway 30 in west central Iowa at night, looked out the window and seen hundreds of red flashing lights? How about driving through north Lincoln and seeing two enormous white turbines spinning in the wind? If you did not know previously, the red flashing lights at night and white turbines are windmills used for generating power. These windmills can produce 2.5 to 3 megawatts of electricity daily. Wind power can be easily used to generate electric for both personal and public use. Looking at the benefits of wind power over fossil fuels, uses of wind power for personal and public use, and the effects of global warming on wind power, you can decide if using wind energy is a good option or not.

One of the great parts about wind energy is that it has a large amount of positives to the environment and hardly any negative effects. Because wind energy uses the wind for the energy there is no emissions generated from the energy produced. It is estimated that the use of one million kWh of wind power can save around 600 tons of carbon dioxide emissions (Saidur, Rahim, Islam, & Solangi, 2011). Therefore, it is easy to see that the widespread use of wind power can help mitigate climate change. This is critical to help stop climate change and the United States is uniquely positioned to be the leader in curbing climate. When the United States starts heavily investing in alternative energy sources other countries will likely follow suit, which will be key to reducing global emissions.

As an American citizen I have had first hand experience witnessing grave reports concerning the accelerated melting of the polar ice caps and the uncertain fluctuations in the average cost of a barrel of oil. These problems loom over the fate of the world economy and its environment. To answer this problem the US must set an example to invest in alternative sources of energy to decrease our dependence on foreign oil and reverse global warming. In a report made by Arjun Makhijani PhD, the president of the Institute For Energy and Environmental Research stated that, “The US renewable energy resource base is practically untapped.” If we were to

Wind energy is one of the cheapest forms of renewable energy sources. “ In 2013, the cost of generating one kilowatt hour of wind power was said to be about four cents as compared to five cents for hydropower and fifteen cents for nuclear power” (Environmental Encyclopedia). The operational cost for wind energy is also very low. The price for wind energy is steadily decreasing. “Prices have decreased over 80% since 1980 and are expected to keep decreasing” (Energy Informative).

We live in a world that is frantically searching for alternative energy sources to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and offset our negative environmental impacts. In recent years, wind production has presented a very appealing argument in favor of renewable energy. Wind energy is not associated with the typical negative environmental impacts that stem from our traditional energy sources such as air pollution, water pollution, mercury emissions, and climate change (NWCC 1). Wind power’s promise as a clean, free energy source is not the only reason why it has gained modern popularity. Many factors have fueled the wind energy movement. Due to ambitious big wind companies, support from the government and public consent, wind farms have become

"Wind Power." UXL Sustainable Living, edited by Jason M. Everett, vol. 3, UXL, 2016, pp. 648-651. Research in Context, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=MSIC&sw=w&u=leb32560&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CCX3629600135&it=r&asid=e2c8e9137bdef66492e2fa71aa742953. Accessed 14 Mar.

In our world today, energy is needed to work our technologies and help us complete daily task. With a growing population, the demand for energy is very high. Harnessing the energy could sometimes be difficult and dangerous to ourselves and the environment. Fossil fuels and nuclear power are the most used types of energy in the United States. The problem with this is that the energy is limited, and harmful to the environment. Wind energy is an alternative renewable energy source that counters this problem, and is rapidly emerging in our world.

The lab tested various properties associated with wind turbines while measuring the effect on the power. It was shown that wind turbines can supply a significant amount of energy and power. This wind energy has an important application with wind turbines across windy areas of the United States. These turbines can provide power as a replacement for nonrenewable resources. Although wind energy might not be the most vital form of energy currently, it could become a very important alternate energy source in the near future. Wind turbines can be placed all across the United States wherever there is a strong amount of wind. When talking about implementing wind energy there are a lot of things to think about.

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.

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.