Wind Energy

By Nathan Shan

Introduction:

Wind energy is created when the wind turns blades on a wind turbine. The blades then turn a generator, which creates electricity. Large groups of wind turbines are called wind farms. Currently, wind energy accounts for about 4% of the U.S. power sector.

Pros:

• Wind energy does not produce any greenhouse gases because it's not burning anything, so it doesn't damage the environment. SEI 2

• Does not damage land or plants. Wind turbines can be installed without damaging crops, trees, or bushes, so it doesn't cause deforestation. SEI 2

• Wind energy does not need mining, so there's no damage to the earth getting materials out. SEI 1.5

• Wind power is 40 times more efficient than coal! In fact, it is the most efficient energy source. This allows the turbines  to convert a small amount of energy (the wind) into a lot of energy. SEI 1.5

Cons:

• The noise and shadows produced by wind turbines can cause health risks like seizures in some people SEI -1 (there's only a small percentage less than 1%-of people in the world have seizures, and the health risks are only theoretical, not proven, so this is SEI -1)

• Birds sometimes fly into the turbines. SEI -1 (this only happens occasionally, so it's SEI -1)

• Turbines only spin when the wind is blowing. This means that they are not consistent. SEI -2

Conclusion:

Wind power is an awesome energy source, with a high SEI of 3. It could be the energy of our future since it is both clean and efficient. So, if you ever become a developer, be sure to build some wind turbines! (Insensible places, of course. Building a wind turbine on top of a house so that the house crumbles or in the middle of a forest so that trees are blocking it's blades is just plain stupid.)