Wind Energy Uses
Wind Power Facts

Not only is wind energy used for residential wind electricity and for pumping water, it is also used in many parts of the world on a larger scale.

Large wind turbines produce electricity for residential homes and businesses in many areas of the U.S. and other countries, and fields of turbines are becoming more and more common.

Wind energy is now being seen as a viable alternative source of power, and it is finally being recognized for the powerful renewable energy source that it is…

History of Wind Energy
Energy from Wind!

Capturing the power of the wind made it possible to move boats in the water—even across oceans. When you think about it, this was an absolutely amazing feat!

Likewise, architects of ancient buildings used wind driven ventilation systems to bring air into their buildings.

And wind sails were used to help move large, heavy objects—across land!

Around 7 AD, the first windmills were developed. They were used for the pumping of water for irrigation and for grinding grain.

Later, in the early days of the United States, windmills (used to pump water) gave American pioneers the ability to farm and develop (and live in) areas, where ground water like streams and rivers, were uncommon. Windmills helped to open up the American frontier and the American Midwest…

Then, in 1888, an American inventor created the first wind driven electrical generator. Since then, the most prominent use of wind energy has been to create electricity.

Renewable Wind Energy
Used Around the World

Others simply see the simplicity of wind energy production and wind energy benefits.

• Small scale wind turbines can be purchased online and even in some large hardware stores for residential wind power generation.

• Large wind turbines are often found on wind farms and installed in water (because there is nothing to block the wind, and wind is often greater over the water).

• Extra energy from the wind – Often homeowners actually generate more wind electricity than they can use for their residence. If that happens, the power can be fed back into the system, and the local power company actually pays the homeowner for his extra wind electricity!

Wind Power Facts

Is There a Negative Side
to Wind Energy Production?

Environmentalists and others have voiced some concerns over capturing energy from wind:

• It takes fossil fuels to produce the wind generators and wind turbines. While this is true, there is no ongoing use of fossil fuels, nor a fossil fuel dependence, to keep these machines running.

• Wind turbines are ugly. – They may be ugly to some, but others consider their look to be appealing—slim and graceful, and in tune with the wind.

• Dangerous for birds – It is true that an occasional bird may fly into a turbine and be injured or killed. Unfortunately we don’t do much in our world that is 100% safe for everyone—including riding in cars or airplanes.

• Noise – Of all the arguments against wind electricity, this might be the strongest. Some wind power turbines emit a high tone that can be annoying. Fortunately, most commercial installations are in unpopulated areas where they don’t disturb anyone.

Today there are a number of wind energy uses, and the United States leads the world in wind energy technology.

Germany, Spain and China are close behind the U.S, and, as these countries develop new technology and uses for energy from wind, we are likely to see more and more homes being powered by wind power!

Wind Energy Uses to Residential Wind Power

Wind Energy Uses to Alternative Energy