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 Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 9:26 pm
Ecomagination.
We've used the wind as an energy source for a long time. The Babylonians and Chinese were using wind power to pump water for irrigating crops 4,000 years ago, and sailing boats were around long before that.
Wind power was used in the Middle Ages, in Europe, to grind corn, which is where the term "windmill" comes from.
Did you know..
Through the use of installed wind turbines, as much as 18.3 million tons of greenhouse gases will not be emitted each year, which is roughly equal to keeping over three million cars off the road.
Capturing the power of wind like never before...
Some of ecomagination's biggest successes materialize out of thin air. When the wind blows, wind turbines are able to operate with higher efficiency and reliability than ever before. In fact, GE's most popular wind turbine, the 1.5MW turbine can produce enough electricity for about 400 homes each year. With blade rotors that sweep an area almost as large as a football field, and an overall reach that is as tall as a 30-story building, these wind turbines can be developed in large-scale "farms" to provide power. GE's 1.5MW turbines are well-proven technology with over 5,000 turbines installed worldwide.
A wind turbine is a machine for converting the kinetic energy in wind into mechanical energy.
Advantages:
arrow Wind is free, wind farms need no fuel.
arrow Produces no waste or greenhouse gases.
arrow The land beneath can usually still be used for farming.
arrow Wind farms can be tourist attractions.
arrow A good method of supplying energy to remote areas.
Disadvanteges:
arrow The wind is not always predictable - some days have no wind.
arrow Suitable areas for wind farms are often near the coast, where land is expensive.
arrow Some people feel that covering the landscape with these towers is unsightly. rolleyes
arrow Can kill birds - migrating flocks tend to like strong winds. Splat!
arrow Can affect television reception if you live nearby.
arrow Can be noisy. Wind generators have a reputation for making a constant, low, "swooshing" noise day and night, which can drive you nuts. An entire wind farm makes quite a racket!
Having said that, the small modern wind generators used on boats and caravans make hardly any noise, and as aerodynamic designs have improved, modern wind farms are much quieter.
I think it's amazing to see a machine produce clean enviromental safe electricity for people.
What do you think about wind energy?
What do you know about Wind Trubines? I had heard of some here in TX, but never really looked into it, until I came accross this site called Ecoimagination...check it out. Link on top of post.
Why do you think we aren't converting to wind energy right away?
Do you think this would work for the whole world or is there only certain places in the world where wind energy would work?
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 12:50 am
There are some wind farms in my state of Washington. Primarily south eastern as it is much more barren (less trees). Also there are a few river canyons in the area which help to maintain wind, if that makes any sense. It's just an area where it is windy most of the time.
Now... in Norway they are using the tides of the ocean to create energy. Though this may be a less clean way in the long run, it does provide a much more reliable source of energy.
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 5:14 am
There are many renewable energies, that, combined, can really reduce the emission of CO² gas. Wind is a good one, especially when you know the exact locations where wind are very high.
Solar energy is a second and the best alternative, because if we can collect 1% of the solar energy that meet the earth, we will have enough energy to power 20 billion people! The real challenge is to transport this energy, to capture it, and especially to stock it.
There is many renewable energies we can use. The thunder, the tornados, the sea mare, the water, the magnets, .......
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 6:07 am
What do you think about wind energy? I think it is an excellent alternative to coal, oil, and even natural gas power plants! Sadly, since you mentioned that there are many more disadvantages, there ae some natural variable we can't control like the wind or where the birds migrate. In my honest opinion, I am neutral on wind power plants, hence solar and hydropower plants are better. ( Though, hydro-power plants are only good as long as trout and other fish can migrate up these humongous structures! surprised ))
What do you know about Wind Trubines? I pretty much know that they can be alternatives in specific areas where polluting power plants thrive. Although costly in large quantities and quality, wind power plants may just help humanity in the future and be more eco-wise, well, except those poor birdies that get caught in those blades of a turbine.
Why do you think we aren't converting to wind energy right away? I think that it is because of our governments. They do nothing but sit on their butts all day, discussing politics and wars, when they should look the other way at their window at the damage that coal power plants do to our countries.
Do you think this would work for the whole world or is there only certain places in the world where wind energy would work? Unfortunately, wind power plants may only work in certain parts of the world where there are devastating winds challenging us to collect their energy. Also, as I say it the second time, the government does nothing about the issues we have. Thoroughly, having reliable power plants may take some time to develop.
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 4:22 pm
Actually, we have four wind turbines near our home and they are fairly quiet. There are occasions when the wind is really bad when we hear whistling, but that only lasts for a day.
Wind Turbines are wonderful. THe pros totally outweigh the cons. I mean, if you put a couple of windmills out in a flat area where there is a lot of wind and away from big touristy places, you should be fine!
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