Like
every other form of energy, wind power also
has its pros and cons, i.e. advantages and
disadvantages. However, most of the so called
disadvantages, when fully enquired into, prove
unsubstantiated. For instance, wind turbines are often
blamed for massive bird fatalities on account of their
high speed turbine blades. However, detailed
investigation into one of the tragedies unearthed a
different story. While going through the causes that led
to the abnormally high death toll of avian species at
the Altamont Pass Resource Area in northern California,
it was found that the actual cause of the tragedy was
not faulty turbines or their high rpm blades but faulty
site selection – and so, you cannot really blame wind power for
this. The turbines were inadvertently installed along
the path of a major bird migration route, and in an area
where many raptors forage for food.
Talking
about wind
power disadvantages, one of the much discussed
topics relate to its intermittent nature of generation.
This is partly true. Wind, after all, is greatly
dependent on nature and weather conditions on which
humans have very little or no control. Solar power
generation suffer similar fate when the sun sometimes
gets a cloud cover. However, since such interruptions
are few and far between, a stand by traditional power
generator can easily solve the problem. So we see that
there is a solution to this as well, and thus this is
not a problem as well.
One
of the biggest disadvantages of contemporary turbines,
especially the residential turbines relate to their
catching fire during operation. Although this is nothing
unusual for an electrical device remains high up in the
air and spins ceaseless for days on end and creates
frictional heat on them, thus causing explosion and
fire. But there is a solution to this as well. This can
be overcome by redesigning the turbines with sealed type
lubrication like modern automobile moving
parts.
Here
is a listing of advantages of wind power.
Take a look at them in detail and think for a while and
you will yourself understand why experts are saying that
the disadvantages are really nothing when you compare
them with the many positives.
Advantages
of Wind Power
v
Wind
power is freely available in as much quantity as
required
v
Wind
power is clean with no emission during
operation
v
Wind
power is a renewable form of power
v
Wind
power installation cost (Turbine cost) is cheaper than
the cost of average sized solar
panel
v
Wind
Turbines do not need any fuel; they are wind
driven.
v
Wind
is priceless. Its price can never fluctuate, affecting
the production.
In
fact there are those who are saying that wind power is
the future. And it can very well be. The fact is, fossil
fuel reserves are fast depleting, and they cause a lot
of green house emissions as well as pollution and so
conventional power cannot have a place in the future.
Wind power on the other hand is safe and clean energy
and thus even the government and authorities in several
countries are actively promoting its use. There are
various incentives in place to urge people to go for wind
power.
Have
you ever thought of getting your very own personal wind
power system at home? Yes renewable energy for private
homes is now possible. To make this possible, you will
just need to know a few things such as where to set up
the system and how to do it so that it can perform best,
how to complete the wiring and also the crucial safety
precautions that need to be followed. Here is a manual
that will teach you all this, and lead to step by step
so that you can finally benefit from wind
power.
