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Wind Energy 101
Energy Potential for Wind Energy Wind power potential for geographic areas is described using wind power classes. Class 1 is the lowest and class 7 is the highest. Each class represents a range of mean wind power density or approximate mean wind speed at specified heights above the ground. Click here for a table further explaining classes. Areas designated class 3 or greater are suitable for most wind energy applications, whereas class 2 areas are marginal and class 1 areas are generally not suitable.
Environmental Impacts of Wind Energy Wind Energy can pose some problems with birds and people who live near wind farms. Wind turbines have been known to kill birds that can't see or understand the towers. To avoid this designers of these systems now try to build wind towers away from known migratory routes and in locations where there are few birds. New tower designs and slower blade speeds have almost eliminated bird kills. Another issue is noise created by the spinning blades on a wind turbine. When a whole field of wind generators are spinning the noise created can become an issue with people who live nearby. Design changes have produced quieter wind turbines but some noise is unavoidable. |
Wind power is made using the energy created by the wind. It is captured using towers with wind turbines mounted on top. A rotor is attached to two or three blades that catch the wind and spin sometimes 100 feet or more above the ground. These turning blades spin a generator to create power. Wind generators can be used anywhere that there are sufficient wind resources. Applications range from small home power systems to large wind farms used by utilities to provide power to the electric grid.