Advantages and disadvantages of wind power

[mahirenterprises]

ADVANTAGES OF WIND POWER: 1. The wind is free and with modern technology it can be captured efficiently.
2. Once the wind turbine is built the energy it produces does not cause green house gases or other pollutants.
3. Although wind turbines can be very tall each takes up only a small plot of land. This means that the land below can still be used. This is especially the case in agricultural areas as farming can still continue.
4. Many people find wind farms an interesting feature of the landscape.
5. Remote areas that are not connected to the electricity power grid can use wind turbines to produce their own supply.
6. Wind turbines have a role to play in both the developed and third world.
7. Wind turbines are available in a range of sizes which means a vast range of people and businesses can use them. Single households to small towns and villages can make good use of range of wind turbines available today.
DISADVANTAGES OF WIND POWER: 1. The strength of the wind is not constant and it varies from zero to storm force. This means that wind turbines do not produce the same amount of electricity all the time. There will be times when they produce no electricity at all.
2. Many people feel that the countryside should be left untouched, without these large structures being built. The landscape should left in its natural form for everyone to enjoy.
3. Wind turbines are noisy. Each one can generate the same level of noise as a family car travelling at 70 mph.
4. Many people see large wind turbines as unsightly structures and not pleasant or interesting to look at. They disfigure the countryside and are generally ugly.
5. When wind turbines are being manufactured some pollution is produced. Therefore wind power does produce some pollution.
6. Large wind farms are needed to provide entire communities with enough electricity. For example, the largest single turbine available today can only provide enough electricity for 475 homes, when running at full capacity. How many would be needed for a town of 100 000 people?

[Greenie]

Hi mahirenterprises,

good list. I think that one of the biggest disadvantages of wind energy, and all renewables for that matter, is that they cost so much. The unfortunate fact is that in so many areas, economics really are the biggest driving force behind the way we do things.

Capital costs of wind energy is such a huge barrier. Even if the tech was cheap per kilowatt hour, imagine being asked to pay for your next 20-30 years worth of power in one hit.

An interesting discussion at the mo is about the idea of leasing renewable power aparatus - so you pay a rental fee and the company/govt supplies the turbine, and maintains it. That's more focused on privately owned equipment, but similar cost issues face commercial wind power companies.


One other to add to your list of disadvantages is the impact on birdlife and bats, pretty much that it kills them in some parts. It's all to do with air-pressure changes around turbines. Some companies are working on solutions at the moment, but I guess it's just another example where many eco-system/habitat issues arise with renewables.

Also, have you heard of electricity being generated from kites? It sounds funny, but makes sense as the kites can reach high-speed and more constant winds (using 300mtr ropes), plus they're alot more flexible in that they can be moved from location to location. Check out this video. Currently there's 2 main groups working on it, these Italians and a group at Worcester polytechnic in the U.S. It's still in the testing phases, but could be an interesting solution to a few of the disadvantages holding wind technology up.

[asimnicol]

Hi this is really great thread thanks here I got really amazing information about the wind power