Hello Guys! Today, in this article, we are going to show you about some essential advantages and disadvantages of wind energy as well as drawbacks and benefits of wind energy with ease. This is unique content over the internet; after reading this article, you will fully get to know about Non Wind Energy Advantages and Disadvantages without any obstacle.
Introduction to Wind Energy
Wind energy gets to harnesses the power of the wind to generate electricity. Wind energy produces from turbines that are essentially giant windmills. The wind gets to turn two or three of the turbine’s propeller-like blades, which are linked around the turbine’s rotor.
The rotor is attached with a main shaft that helps to spin a generator to create electricity. Wind energy is a source of renewable energy, which means it does not contaminate, it is inexhaustible, and reduces the use of fossil fuels, which are the origin of greenhouse gases that cause global warming.
What is Advantage and Disadvantage of Wind Energy?
In this portion, we are going to guide about remarkable advantages and disadvantages of wind energy as well as drawbacks and benefits of wind energy with ease. Below mentioned each one; you can check them:
Advantages of Wind Energy
Wind energy offers several advantages and benefits as a renewable and sustainable source of electricity generation; below shown each one:
Wind energy is offering many benefits, including being the clean and renewable energy source. Wind turbines works as harness energy from the wind by using mechanical power with getting to spin a generator and produce the electricity.
Wind energy is a source of renewable energy that means it does not contaminate; it is inexhaustible, and decrease the usage of fossil fuels that are the origin of greenhouse gases that cause can get global warming.
Wind energy does not produce the waste or contaminate water, so it has one of the lowest environmental impacts as compared to other energy sources.
Job Creator & Income for Farmers and Ranchers
Wind energy is a job creator platform that is providing the good-paying jobs and economic growth. Wind energy can also offer the income for farmers and ranchers, and getting the economic benefits to communities.
Wind power is a native energy that is available practically everywhere over the planet that help to contribute to decrease the energy imports and generating the wealth and local employment.
Low Operating Costs
Wind energy has low operating costs, making it one of the most cost-effective sources of electricity. Wind energy systems are getting the low operating expenses because there are no connected any fuel costs. The actual cost of electricity generation alone is something like 2 to 4 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is the price that wind energy has to compete with other sources of electricity.
Operation and maintenance (O&M) costs constitute a sizeable share of the total annual costs of a wind turbine, but O&M costs are generally estimated to be around 1.2 to 1.5 eurocents per kWh of wind power produced. Experts anticipate cost reductions of 17%–35% by 2035 and 37%–49% by 2050 under a median or best-guess scenario, driven by bigger and more efficient wind turbines, lower capital and operating costs, and other advancements.
The typical wind turbine is 2-3 MW in power, so most turbines cost in the $2-4 million dollar range. Operation and maintenance runs an additional $42,000-$48,000 per year according to research on wind turbine operational cost.
Use of Modern Technology
Wind energy has been evolving with the use of modern technology. Some of the advancements in wind power technology include:
Airborne Wind Energy:This nascent technology uses small turbines mounted on aerial devices, such as drones. It is being used in locations where traditional wind turbines are not feasible, such as locations with low wind speeds or limited land availability.
Higher Tip Speeds and High-Lift Airfoils: Wind turbines are being designed with higher tip speeds to reduce torque and minimize drivetrain weight. Higher speed and high-lift airfoils are being used for a more efficient capture of wind energy.
Next-Generation Wind Technology: The U.S. Department of Energy is researching next-generation wind technology to improve reliability, increase capacity factors, and reduce costs. Some of the key research projects include developing taller towers, larger rotors, and advanced control systems.
Streamlined and Sleek Design: Wind turbines are being designed to be more streamlined and sleek, which makes them ideal for remote areas where space is limited.
Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbines: Horizontal-axis wind turbines were first developed in Denmark in 1891, and they are still being used today. They are being improved with modern technology to capture more energy and produce more power.
Promotes Domestic Economic Growth
Wind energy promotes domestic economic growth in several ways:
Economic Development: The wind industry contributes to the economies of 46 states, and the outlook for regional economic growth from wind energy is positive. Wind energy projects also offer various economic benefits to neighbouring communities like as new source of revenue for farmers and ranchers as a land lease payments, increased local tax base, and decrease the electricity prices for project neighbours.
Energy Security: Expanding wind energy production will make the U.S. resilient against climate change, increase access to cheaper and cleaner energy, and yield a fairer and more resilient economy.
Tourism:Wind projects can attract tourists who want to see wind farms in person, which can boost local economies.
Space Efficient
Wind energy is also a space-efficient source of electricity. Wind turbines are getting the small physical footprint; and they can be situated on open land, mountain ridges; as well as offshore in lakes and the ocean.
Wind turbines are also streamlined and sleek, that can make them ideal for remote areas where space is limited.
Cost-Effective
Land-based and utility-scale wind turbines are going to provide one of the lowest-priced energy sources available today. Wind energy’s cost competitiveness is getting to continue to improve with advances in the technology and science of wind energy.
Reduces Energy Imports
Wind energy also helps to reduce energy imports that are one of its benefits. Wind energy is a native energy that means it is available practically everywhere over the planet, and contributing to reducing energy imports and making the wealth and local employment.
Disadvantages of Wind Energy
Wind energy is a renewable and environmentally friendly source of electricity generation, but it also has several disadvantages and challenges:
Wind energy is intermittent that means its electrical output depends on many factors like as wind speed, air density, turbine characteristics, and more. Wind speed must also be in a specific range (depending on the turbine), above 3.5 m/s in order to generate electricity, and below 25 m/s to avoid damage to the turbine.
Wind power is considered higher intermittent and non-dispatch able because it is a variable power source. Wind energy is unable to constantly available and predictable that makes it challenging to integrate into the electrical grid. However, batteries and energy-storage devices can supplement existing grid capacity, often by storing surplus energy during off-peak hours.
Dangerous to Wildlife
Wind energy can pose a risk to certain wildlife species such as birds and bats, but studies have shown that the number of bird and bat deaths caused by wind turbines is relatively small as compared to other sources. Fossil-fuelled power stations appear to pose a much greater threat to avian wildlife than wind turbines.
Noise pollution that is produced by wind turbines that can also affect wildlife, but as per the research on the potential harm is on-going. Wind turbines are developed to minimize their impact on wildlife; as well as developers often conduct environmental assessments before getting to build wind farms.
Noise and Visual Pollution
Wind energy can cause noise and visual pollution that can be affected nearby residents and wildlife. Noise pollution is produced by wind turbines; that can be a concern for residents living near wind farms. As per studies, it has shown that the noise-level emissions were calculated if a house was affected by more than one wind turbine based on how many turbines emit more noise than one.
The visual aspects of wind turbines can also enhance the noise annoyance, and a pleasing visual environment can be used to decrease the noise annoyance. Studies have shown that wind turbines have a significant negative impact on the price schedule of neighbouring residential properties, and visual pollution reduces the value of nearby properties.
However, wind turbines have the potential to decrease the air pollution and going to promote the renewable energy that can have positive effects on the environment.
Limited by Location
Wind energy is limited by location due to several factors, including:
Wind Speed: Wind turbines need to be installed in areas with strong, reliable wind to be economically viable. Wind farms are best suited for coastal areas, the tops of hills, and open planes – essentially anywhere with strong, reliable wind.
Physical Constraints: Land area exclusions based on physical constraints, such as wetlands, building footprints, or protected lands, can limit the location of wind farms.
Noise Limitations: Wind turbines can cause noise pollution, which can affect nearby residents. Noise limitations can restrict the location of wind farms.
Height Restrictions: Wind turbines need to be built high to capture enough wind, but height restrictions can limit the location of wind farms.
Shadow Flicker Limits: Shadow flicker from wind turbines can be a concern for nearby residents, and shadow flicker limits can restrict the location of wind farms.
Wind Energy Moratoriums: Some areas have imposed moratoriums on wind energy development due to concerns about noise pollution, visual pollution, and other factors.
Initial Costs
While the operational and maintenance costs of wind turbines are relatively low, the initial capital costs of building wind farms and installing turbines can be substantial. Government incentives and subsidies have helped to offset some of these costs.
Limited Energy Storage
Wind energy generation is not easily stored at a large scale, which can be a challenge for matching supply with demand, particularly when wind generation exceeds immediate demand.
Conclusion: Wind Energy Pros and Cons
Through this post, you are completed educated about some essential advantages and disadvantages of wind energy as well as drawbacks and benefits of wind energy with ease. If this article is helpful for you, then please share it along with your friends, family members or relatives over social media platforms like as Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, Twitter, and more.
