पवन ऊर्जा (Wind energy)
- Post published: 24/10/2019
- Post author: हिरालाल डोईफोडे
- Post category: कुमार विश्वकोश / पर्यावरण
भूपृष्ठावरील प्रवाहित हवेची ऊर्जा. भूपृष्ठावरील वाऱ्याच्या गतिज ऊर्जेला पवन ऊर्जा म्हणतात. पवन ऊर्जेचा उपयोग हजारो वर्षांपूर्वीपासून ईजिप्तमध्ये इ. स. पू. २,८०० मध्ये केला गेला, तर इराणमध्ये इ. स. ६०० मध्ये करण्यात आला. एकोणिसाव्या शतकाच्या अखेरीस पवनचक्क्यांचा वापर विद्युत् निर्मितीसाठी होऊ लागला. पवन ऊर्जेचा वापर विद्युत् निर्मिती करण्यासाठी, पवनचक्की चालविण्यासाठी, पाणी उपसा करणारे किंवा मलमूत्राचा निचरा करणारे पंप चालविण्यासाठी तसेच शिडाची जहाजे चालविण्यासाठी केला जातो. आजच्या काळात जगभर पवन ऊर्जेचा वापर करून आधुनिक पद्धतीने तयार केलेल्या वातझोत यंत्रांच्या (विंड टरबाइन) साहाय्याने विद्युत् निर्मिती करण्यात येत आहे. विद्युत् निर्मितीसाठी वाऱ्याचा वेग किमान ताशी १६ किमी. असावा लागतो. तसेच वाऱ्याच्या प्रवाहात सातत्य असावे लागते. वाऱ्याचा वेग जसा वाढतो त्याप्रमाणे विद्युत् निर्मितीची क्षमता वाढते.
पवन ऊर्जा ही अक्षय्य ऊर्जा आहे आणि ती सहजासहजी उपलब्ध करून घेता येते. ही ऊर्जा अत्यंत सुरक्षित आणि किफायतशीर आहे. पवन ऊर्जेमुळे वायू प्रदूषण व जल प्रदूषण होत नाही. पवन ऊर्जेचा विकास काही पाश्चिमात्य देशांमध्ये मोठया प्रमाणात झालेला दिसून येतो. जर्मनी, अमेरिकेची संयुक्त संस्थाने, स्पेन, भारत, डेन्मार्क, चीन इत्यादी देशांत पवन ऊर्जेवर विद्युत् निर्मिती करण्यात येत आहे. भारतात तमिळनाडू, गुजरात, महाराष्ट्र, कर्नाटक, राजस्थान, मध्य प्रदेश, केरळ, पश्चिम बंगाल इत्यादी राज्यांत पवन ऊर्जा केंद्रे उभारण्यात आली आहेत. भारतात १९८५ मध्ये गुजरातमधील मांडवी येथे व्यापारी तत्त्वावर पवन ऊर्जा केंद्र उभारण्यात आले. हे आशिया खंडातील पहिले पवन ऊर्जा केंद्र आहे. भारताला मोठया लांबीचा समुद्रकिनारा लाभलेला आहे, त्यामुळे पवन ऊर्जानिर्मितीला बऱ्याच ठिकाणी वाव आहे.
पवन ऊर्जेपासून विद्युत् निर्माण केली जाते. तिचा भारताच्या एकूण ऊर्जानिर्मितीमध्ये असणारा वाटा १.६% आहे. पवन ऊर्जा विद्युत् निर्मितीमध्ये जगात जर्मनी, अमेरिकेची संयुक्त संस्थाने व स्पेन या देशांनंतर भारताचा चौथा क्रमांक लागतो. २०११ साली प्रसिद्ध झालेल्या माहितीनुसार जगभरातील पवन ऊर्जा निर्माण करणाऱ्या पहिल्या १० देशांची मिळून क्षमता २,३८,३५१ मेवॉ. एवढी आहे आणि या क्षमतेत सातत्याने वाढ होत आहे. भारतात सद्यस्थितीला ३३९ पवन ऊर्जा विद्युत् प्रकल्प आहेत. त्यांपैकी ४४ प्रकल्प महाराष्ट्रात आहेत. भारतातील पवन ऊर्जा विद्युत् निर्मिती क्षमता ४९,१३० मेवॉ. असून महाराष्ट्रात ५,४३९ मेवॉ. एवढी ऊर्जा निर्माण होते. तसेच सु. ३९३ मेगावॉटचे खाजगी पवन ऊर्जा विद्युत् प्रकल्प राबविले गेले आहेत. सिंधुदुर्ग जिल्ह्यात जामसंडे येथे राज्यातील पहिला पवन ऊर्जा विद्युत् प्रकल्प उभारण्यात आला आहे. १९९४ साली सिंधुदुर्ग जिल्ह्यातील विजयदुर्ग येथे १.५ मेवॉ. क्षमतेची राज्यातील पहिली वातभूमी (विंडफार्म) उभारण्यात आली. सातारा जिल्ह्यात पवन ऊर्जा निर्मितीची अनेक केंद्रे असून या जिल्ह्यातील वनकुसवडे पठारावर ५०० मेवॉ. क्षमतेचा चाळकेवाडी पवन ऊर्जा विद्युत् प्रकल्प विकसित झाला असून तो आशियातील सर्वांत मोठा प्रकल्प आहे. आता अहमदनगर, सांगली, रत्नागिरी, धुळे, नंदुरबार इ. जिल्ह्यांतही असे प्रकल्प उभारण्यात आले आहेत.
एखाद्या विशिष्ट क्षेत्रात पवन ऊर्जेपासून विद्युत् निर्मिती करण्यासाठी वातझोत यंत्रांचा समूह उभारावा लागतो. त्याला वातभूमी म्हणतात. सामान्यत: ग्रामीण क्षेत्रात अथवा सागर किनारी भागात अशी वातभूमी असते. एका वातभूमीमध्ये सु. १०० पर्यंत जनित्रे असतात.
पवन ऊर्जा विद्युत् निर्मिती क्षेत्रात मोठा आवाज निर्माण होतो. त्यामुळे ध्वनी प्रदूषण होण्याचा संभव असतो. जागेची योग्य निवड, यंत्रांची विशिष्ट रचना व ध्वनिरोधक यंत्रणा यांमार्फत आवाजाचा त्रास कमी करता येऊ शकतो. काही वेळा झोत यंत्राच्या पात्यांना अडकून पक्ष्यांचा अपघाती मृत्यूही होतो. पवन ऊर्जा प्रकल्पामुळे पर्यावरणावर इतर ऊर्जा निर्मिती पद्धतींपेक्षा कमी प्रतिकूल परिणाम होतो.
Share this:
You might also like.
कसर (Silver fish)
मानवाची उत्क्रांती (Evolution of Man)
गवती चहा (Lemon grass)
ज्वर (Fever)
- Photogallery
- Marathi News
- the future belongs to renewable energy
भविष्य अक्षय ऊर्जेचेच
रोजच्या जगण्यासाठी पावलोपावली ऊर्जेची प्रचंड आवश्यकता असते. गेली कित्येक वर्ष जीवाश्म इंधनापासून निर्माण होणाऱ्या ऊर्जेचा वापर केला जात होता. परंतु आता त्याचे विघातक परिणाम जागतिक तापमान वाढीच्या स्वरूपात दिसून येत आहेत..
डॉ. नंदिनी विनय देशमुख रोजच्या जगण्यासाठी पावलोपावली ऊर्जेची प्रचंड आवश्यकता असते. गेली कित्येक वर्ष जीवाश्म इंधनापासून निर्माण होणाऱ्या ऊर्जेचा वापर केला जात होता. परंतु आता त्याचे विघातक परिणाम जागतिक तापमान वाढीच्या स्वरूपात दिसून येत आहेत. शिवाय जीवाश्म इंधनाचे सीमित असणारे साठे लवकरच संपुष्टात येतील. आणि मागणी तर तुफान वेगाने वाढतेय. अशा वेळेला अक्षय ऊर्जेची निर्मिती आणि तिचा वापर या दोन्ही गोष्टी आपण जाणून घेतल्या पाहिजेत. सौर ऊर्जा, पवन ऊर्जा, जैवइंधन (बायोफ्युएल), लाटांपासून ऊर्जा निर्मिती आणि भूऔष्णिक ऊर्जा अशा निरनिराळ्या प्रकारच्या अक्षय ऊर्जेचा सद्यस्थितीत विचार करणे फार आवश्यक आहे. काही प्रमाणात जलविद्युतनिर्मिती आपण करत असतो. पण त्यामुळे उद्ध्वस्थ होणारी जंगले आणि विस्थापित होणारी माणसे या बाबीकडे कानाडोळा करून चालणार नाही. अशी ऊर्जा म्हणूनच शाश्वत नाही. अक्षय ऊर्जा मात्र हरित ऊर्जा असून ती प्रदूषणकारी नसते. त्याच्या वापराने पर्यावरणाची हानी होत नाही आणि ही पुनर्नवकरणीय असते. त्यामुळे आता आपल्याला अशाच ऊर्जेचा वापर करणे आवश्यक आहे. भारत हा जगातला एकमेव देश आहे जिथे अक्षय ऊर्जेच्या बाबतीत काम करण्यासाठी वेगळे मंत्रालय आहे. 'मिनिस्ट्री ऑफ न्यू अँड रिन्युएबल एनर्जी'. गेल्या पाच वर्षांतील अहवाल बघितल्यास काही बाबी अभिमानपूर्वक नमूद कराव्याशा वाटतात. जागतिक पातळीवर सर्वांत मोठा अक्षय ऊर्जा विस्तार करण्याचा कार्यक्रम २०२२ पर्यंत आपल्या देशात घेतला जात आहे. २०२२ पर्यंत १७५ गिगावॉट ऊर्जा निर्मिती करण्याचे आपले लक्ष्य आहे आणि हीच क्षमता २०३० पर्यंत ४५० गिगावॉटपर्यत नेण्याचे आपले शासकीय धोरण आहे. भारतात सौर ऊर्जा आणि पवन ऊर्जा यांच्या निर्मितीत तामिळनाडू, गुजरात, राजस्थान ही राज्ये आघाडीवर आहेत. पवन ऊर्जेच्या बाबतीत कर्नाटक व महाराष्ट्र अधिकाधिक सक्षम होत आहेत. अलीकडच्या काळात लडाखमध्ये जागतिक पातळीवरचे सर्वात मोठे सोलर फार्म तयार होत आहे. सौर ऊर्जा निर्मितीसाठी लागणारे सिलिकॉन सेल्स आणि इतर साधने आता बऱ्यापैकी कमी किंमतीत उपलब्ध होऊ लागली आहेत. त्यामुळे गेल्या पाच वर्षांत अक्षय ऊर्जा क्षमता २२६ टक्क्यांनी वाढली आहे. भारतात २९ फेब्रुवारी २०२० पर्यंत ३६७ गिगा वॉट अक्षय ऊर्जा निर्माण करण्यात आली आहे. एकूण ऊर्जा निर्मिती क्षमतेच्या २३.३९ टक्के इतका हा वाटा आहे. सौरऊर्जेची निर्मिती गेल्या साडे पाच वर्षांत २.६ गिगा वॉटवरून ३४ गिगावॉटवर सरकली आहे. यावरून आपण अक्षय ऊर्जेच्या बाबतीत दिवसेंदिवस सक्षम होत आहोत हे कळून येते. आपला देश आता 'आंतरराष्ट्रीय सोलार अलायन्स' मध्येही महत्वाची भूमिका बजावत आहे. पर्यावरणाच्या समृद्धीसाठी योग्य प्रकारच्या अक्षय ऊर्जेची निर्मिती आणि वापर करून आपण हवामानबदलाचे संकट देखील टाळू शकतो, हाच २० ऑगस्ट रोजी भारतात साजरा होणाऱ्या अक्षय ऊर्जा दिनाचा सारांश आहे.
नियमित महत्त्वाच्या बातम्या हव्या आहेत..?
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and events from TWI:
- Login Login Logout Register Members' Portal
- Caspian Sea
- Middle East
- South East Asia
- Technical Knowledge
What is Green Energy? (Definition, Types and Examples)
What is green energy.
Green energy is any energy type that is generated from natural resources, such as sunlight, wind or water. It often comes from renewable energy sources although there are some differences between renewable and green energy, which we will explore, below.
The key with these energy resources are that they don’t harm the environment through factors such as releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Click the links below to skip to the section in the guide:
- What is it?
- How does it work?
- What does it mean?
- Why is it important?
- Can it replace fossil fuels?
- Can it be economically viable?
- Which type is most efficient?
- How can it help the environment?
How Does it Work?
As a source of energy, green energy often comes from renewable energy technologies such as solar energy , wind power, geothermal energy, biomass and hydroelectric power. Each of these technologies works in different ways, whether that is by taking power from the sun, as with solar panels, or using wind turbines or the flow of water to generate energy.
What Does it Mean?
In order to be deemed green energy, a resource cannot produce pollution, such as is found with fossil fuels. This means that not all sources used by the renewable energy industry are green. For example, power generation that burns organic material from sustainable forests may be renewable, but it is not necessarily green, due to the CO 2 produced by the burning process itself.
Green energy sources are usually naturally replenished, as opposed to fossil fuel sources like natural gas or coal, which can take millions of years to develop. Green sources also often avoid mining or drilling operations that can be damaging to eco-systems.
The main sources are wind energy, solar power and hydroelectric power (including tidal energy, which uses ocean energy from the tides in the sea). Solar and wind power are able to be produced on a small scale at people’s homes or alternatively, they can be generated on a larger, industrial scale.
The six most common forms are as follows:
1. Solar Power
This common type of renewable energy is usually produced using photovoltaic cells that capture sunlight and turn it into electricity. Solar power is also used to heat buildings and for hot water as well as for cooking and lighting. Solar power has now become affordable enough to be used for domestic purposes including garden lighting, although it is also used on a larger scale to power entire neighbourhoods.
2. Wind Power
Particularly suited to offshore and higher altitude sites, wind energy uses the power of the flow of air around the world to push turbines that then generate electricity.
3. Hydropower
Also known as hydroelectric power, this type of green energy uses the flow of water in rivers, streams, dams or elsewhere to produce electricity. Hydropower can even work on a small scale using the flow of water through pipes in the home or can come from evaporation, rainfall or the tides in the oceans.
Exactly how ‘green’ the following three types of green energy are is dependent on how they are created…
4. Geothermal Energy
This type of green power uses thermal energy that has been stored just under the earth’s crust. While this resource requires drilling to access, thereby calling the environmental impact into question, it is a huge resource once tapped into. Geothermal energy has been used for bathing in hot springs for thousands of years and this same resource can be used for steam to turn turbines and generate electricity. The energy stored under the United States alone is enough to produce 10 times as much electricity as coal currently can. While some nations, such as Iceland, have easy-to-access geothermal resources, it is a resource that is reliant on location for ease of use, and to be fully ‘green’ the drilling procedures need to be closely monitored.
Find out more about geothermal energy
5. Biomass
This renewable resource also needs to be carefully managed in order to be truly labelled as a ‘green energy’ source. Biomass power plants use wood waste, sawdust and combustible organic agricultural waste to create energy. While the burning of these materials releases greenhouse gas these emissions are still far lower than those from petroleum-based fuels.
6. Biofuels
Rather than burning biomass as mentioned above, these organic materials can be transformed into fuel such as ethanol and biodiesel. Having supplied just 2.7% of the world’s fuel for transport in 2010, the biofuels are estimated to have the capacity to meet over 25% of global transportation fuel demand by 2050.
Why It Is Important
Green energy is important for the environment as it replaces the negative effects of fossil fuels with more environmentally-friendly alternatives. Derived from natural resources, green energy is also often renewable and clean, meaning that they emit no or few greenhouse gases and are often readily available.
Even when the full life cycle of a green energy source is taken into consideration, they release far less greenhouse gases than fossil fuels, as well as few or low levels of air pollutants. This is not just good for the planet but is also better for the health of people and animals that have to breathe the air.
Green energy can also lead to stable energy prices as these sources are often produced locally and are not as affected by geopolitical crisis, price spikes or supply chain disruptions. The economic benefits also include job creation in building the facilities that often serve the communities where the workers are employed. Renewable energy saw the creation of 11 million jobs worldwide in 2018, with this number set to grow as we strive to meet targets such as net zero.
Due to the local nature of energy production through sources like solar and wind power, the energy infrastructure is more flexible and less dependent on centralised sources that can lead to disruption as well as being less resilient to weather related climate change.
Green energy also represents a low cost solution for the energy needs of many parts of the world. This will only improve as costs continue to fall, further increasing the accessibility of green energy, especially in the developing world.
There are plenty of examples of green energy in use today, from energy production through to thermal heating for buildings, off-highway and transport. Many industries are investigating green solutions and here are a few examples:
1. Heating and Cooling in Buildings
Green energy solutions are being used for buildings ranging from large office blocks to people’s homes. These include solar water heaters, biomass fuelled boilers and direct heat from geothermal, as well as cooling systems powered by renewable sources.
2. Industrial Processes
Renewable heat for industrial processes can be run using biomass or renewable electricity. Hydrogen is now a large provider of renewable energy for the cement, iron, steel and chemical industries.
3. Transport
Sustainable biofuels and renewable electricity are growing in use for transportation across multiple industry sectors. Automotive is an obvious example as electrification advances to replace fossil fuels, but aerospace and construction are other areas that are actively investigating electrification.
Can It Replace Fossil Fuels?
Green energy has the capacity to replace fossil fuels in the future, however it may require varied production from different means to achieve this. Geothermal, for example, is particularly effective in places where this resource is easy to tap into, while wind energy or solar power may be better suited to other geographic locations.
However, by bringing together multiple green energy sources to meet our needs, and with the advancements that are being made with regards to production and development of these resources, there is every reason to believe that fossil fuels could be phased out.
We are still some years away from this happening, but the fact remains that this is necessary to reduce climate change, improve the environment and move to a more sustainable future.
Can It Be Economically Viable?
Understanding the economic viability of green energy requires a comparison with fossil fuels. The fact is that as easily-reached fossil resources begin to run out, the cost of this type of energy will only increase with scarcity.
At the same time as fossil fuels become more expensive, the cost of greener energy sources is falling. Other factors also work in favour of green energy, such as the ability to produce relatively inexpensive localised energy solutions, such as solar farms. The interest, investment and development of green energy solutions is bringing costs down as we continue to build up our knowledge and are able to build on past breakthroughs.
As a result, green energy can not only become economically viable but also the preferred option.
Which Type Is The Most Efficient?
Efficiency in green energy is slightly dependent on location as, if you have the right conditions, such as frequent and strong sunlight, it is easy to create a fast and efficient energy solution.
However, to truly compare different energy types it is necessary to analyse the full life cycle of an energy source. This includes assessing the energy used to create the green energy resource, working out how much energy can be translated into electricity and any environmental clearing that was required to create the energy solution. Of course, environmental damage would prevent a source truly being ‘green,’ but when all of these factors are combined it creates what is known as a ‘Levelised Energy Cost’ (LEC).
Currently, wind farms are seen as the most efficient source of green energy as it requires less refining and processing than the production of, for example, solar panels. Advances in composites technology and testing has helped improve the life-span and therefore the LEC of wind turbines. However, the same can be said of solar panels, which are also seeing a great deal of development.
Green energy solutions also have the benefit of not needing much additional energy expenditure after they have been built, since they tend to use a readily renewable source of power, such as the wind. In fact, the total efficiency of usable energy for coal is just 29% of its original energy value, while wind power offers a 1164% return on its original energy input.
Renewable energy sources are currently ranked as follows in efficiency (although this may change as developments continue):
- Solar Power
How Can it Help the Environment?
Green energy provides real benefits for the environment since the power comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind and water. Constantly replenished, these energy sources are the direct opposite of the unsustainable, carbon emitting fossil fuels that have powered us for over a century.
Creating energy with a zero carbon footprint is a great stride to a more environmentally friendly future. If we can use it to meet our power, industrial and transportation needs, we will be able to greatly reduce our impact on the environment.
Green Energy vs Clean Energy vs Renewable Energy – What is the Difference?
As we touched upon earlier, there is a difference between green, clean and renewable energy. This is slightly confused by people often using these terms interchangeably, but while a resource can be all of these things at once, it may also be, for example, renewable but not green or clean (such as with some forms of biomass energy).
Green energy is that which comes from natural sources, such as the sun. Clean energy are those types which do not release pollutants into the air, and renewable energy comes from sources that are constantly being replenished, such as hydropower, wind power or solar energy.
Renewable energy is often seen as being the same, but there is still some debate around this. For example, can a hydroelectric dam which may divert waterways and impact the local environment really be called ‘green?’
However, a source such as wind power is renewable, green and clean – since it comes from an environmentally-friendly, self-replenishing and non-polluting source.
Green energy looks set to be part of the future of the world, offering a cleaner alternative to many of today’s energy sources. Readily replenished, these energy sources are not just good for the environment, but are also leading to job creation and look set to become economically viable as developments continue.
The fact is that fossil fuels need to become a thing of the past as they do not provide a sustainable solution to our energy needs. By developing a variety of green energy solutions we can create a totally sustainable future for our energy provision, without damaging the world we all live on.
TWI has been working on different green energy projects for decades and has built up expertise in these areas, finding solutions for our Industrial Members ranging from electrification for the automotive industry to the latest developments in renewable energy.
Contact us to find out more and see how we could help advance your energy project: [email protected] .
Related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is renewable energy.
enewable energy comes from sources or processes that are constantly replenished. These sources of energy include solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, and hydroelectric power.
What is Clean Energy?
Clean energy is energy that comes from renewable, zero emission sources that do not pollute the atmosphere when used, as well as energy saved by energy efficiency measures.
For more information please email:
[email protected]
Browser does not support script.
- Wind Energy Technologies Office
- Wind Energy Career Map
- Key Activities in Wind Energy
- WETO Budget
- WETO Organization & Contacts
- Atmosphere to Electrons
- Distributed Wind
- Environmental Impacts & Siting
- Next-Generation Wind Technology
- Demonstration
- Floating Offshore Wind Shot
- Market Acceleration
- R&D Consortium
- Renewable Systems Integration
- Resource Assessment & Characterization
- Testing & Certification
- Drivetrains
- Infrastructure & Logistics
- Workforce Development & Education
- History of Wind Energy
- How Distributed Wind Works
- How Wind Turbines Work
- WINDExchange
- Small Wind Systems FAQs
- WETO Peer Reviews
- Wind Energy FAQs
- Wind Energy Projects Map
- Wind Energy Publications
- Related Opportunities
- Wind Energy Technologies Office Updates
- Wind R&D Newsletter
This page answers frequently asked questions about wind energy. Refer to our information resources to access additional energy basics, publications, maps, and multimedia resources.
What is wind energy and how do wind turbines work?
Wind energy (or wind power) refers to the process by which wind turbines convert the movement of wind into electricity. Wind is caused by the Sun’s uneven heating of the atmosphere, the irregularities of the Earth's surface, and the rotation of the Earth. Humans use wind for many purposes: sailing boats, pumping water, and generating electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of the moving air into electricity.
A wind turbine works like a fan but in reverse: instead of using electricity to make wind like a fan, wind turbines use wind to make electricity. The wind turns the turbine's blades, which spin a shaft connected to a generator to make electricity. Learn more about how a wind turbine works or view an interactive wind turbine animation to explore power plants, gearboxes, and everything in between.
For more information, watch our Energy 101 video.
How can I get a wind turbine or wind farm at my house or property?
The basic steps for installing a small wind turbine on your property are:
- Determine whether the wind resource in your area makes a small wind system economical.
- Determine your household electricity needs by looking at monthly or yearly electricity usage.
- Find out whether local zoning ordinances will allow wind turbine installations.
- Purchase and install a wind turbine sized to the needs of your household.
- Decide where to place the turbine.
While there have been instances of wind turbines mounted on rooftops, it should be noted that all wind turbines vibrate and transmit the vibration to the structure on which they are mounted. This can lead to noise problems within the building. Also, the wind resource on the rooftop is in an area of increased turbulence, which can shorten the life of the turbine and reduce energy production. Additional costs related to mitigating these concerns, combined with the fact that roof-mounted turbines produce less power, make rooftop-mounted wind turbines less cost-effective than small wind systems that are installed on a tower connected to the ground. For more information, see Deployment of Wind Turbines in the Built Environment: Risks, Lessons, and Recommended Practices .
For more information, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions on Small Wind Systems or the small wind section of the WINDExchange website .
How much energy comes from wind in the United States?
In 2021, wind turbines operating in all 50 states generated more than 9% of the country’s total electricity generation. Wind power was the second largest source of U.S. electric-generating capacity additions in 2021 (behind solar) with 13,413 megawatts (MW) of U.S. wind capacity installed, bringing the cumulative total to 135,886 MW.
Where are wind farms located?
Land-based utility-scale wind farms are located all across the United States, with the majority of projects concentrated in the Midwest and Texas. Distributed wind projects (wind turbines installed near where the power will be used) are in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. Offshore wind projects are located off the coasts of Virginia and Block Island, Rhode Island. The U.S. Wind Turbine Database provides the locations of land-based and offshore wind turbines across the country, including corresponding wind project information and turbine technical specifications.
Wind provided more than 9% of electricity nationwide, over 50% in Iowa and South Dakota, and over 30% in Kansas, Oklahoma, and North Dakota. Globally, the United States ranks second behind China in both installed capacity and electricity generation from wind. Denmark, Portugal, and Ireland each get more than 20% of their nations’ electricity from wind.
What is the wind resource like in my area?
The Wind Energy Technologies Office provides validated, high-resolution state wind maps that show average wind speeds at several different heights above the ground (appropriate for different sized turbines). These maps provide a good overview of a state's wind resources. However, wind resources can significantly vary thanks to local site characteristics such as trees, hills, and buildings, so you should get a professional evaluation of your specific site before purchasing and installing a wind energy system.
What happens to the electricity supply when the wind isn’t blowing?
The U.S. power grid consists of a huge number of interconnected transmission lines that connect a variety of generation sources to loads. The wind does not always blow, and the sun does not always shine, which creates additional variability and uncertainty (as nobody can perfectly forecast wind or solar output).
But power grid operators have always had to deal with variability. Many forms of power generation can unexpectedly trip offline without notice and some only produce power at certain times. There is also uncertainty due to ever-changing loads (energy demand) that cannot be perfectly predicted.
Grid operators use the interconnected power system to access other forms of generation when contingencies occur and continually turn generators on and off when needed to meet the overall grid demand. Integrating variable renewable power to the grid does not change how this process of balancing electricity supply and demand works.
How are wind farms developed?
Commercial wind farms are typically built by wind energy developers using private sources of financing . The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) maintains that it is important for energy project developers to engage with the local community, state and local authorities, and other stakeholders early and often in the siting and development process. Before installing turbines, the developer will assess the wind resource at a particular site by collecting meteorological data, determining access to transmission lines, and considering environmental and community impacts.
If sufficient wind resources are found, the developer will secure land leases from property owners, obtain the necessary permits and financing, and purchase and install wind turbines. The completed facility is often sold to an independent operator (called an independent power producer) who generates electricity to sell to the local utility, although some utilities own and operate wind farms directly.
For more information on the wind farm development process, please visit the WINDExchange website .
How do wind turbines affect wildlife, and human health?
As with all energy projects, wildlife impacts from wind project development vary by location. The wind industry incorporates pre- and post-development studies, educated siting, and other impact reduction tools to decrease wildlife impacts.
Research shows that wind projects rank near the bottom of the list of human-related bird mortalities, resulting in far fewer annual deaths than those caused by house cats, building collisions, or vehicle impacts. In fact, the Audubon Society strongly supports properly sited wind power as a renewable energy source that reduces the threat posed to birds by climate change.
Since 2000, the impact of wind development on birds has been greatly reduced by improvements in turbine design and particularly through improved project and turbine siting. To understand how to avoid, minimize, and mitigate potential impacts from wind development, the Wind Energy Technologies Office has invested in peer-reviewed research for more than 20 years through collaborative partnerships with federal regulatory organizations, the wind industry, and environmental organizations, including the Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute and the Bats and Wind Energy Cooperative.
For more information about the Wind Energy Technologies Office’s work in this area, visit our Environmental Impacts and Siting web page. For additional context and resources, see the WINDExchange web page on wildlife impacts .
Human Health
Although research to develop sound mitigation techniques is ongoing, global peer-reviewed scientific data and independent studies consistently conclude that sound from wind plants has no direct impact on physical human health . The sound level from wind turbines at common residential setbacks is not sufficient to cause hearing impairment or other direct adverse health effects. Low frequency sound and infrasound from upwind wind turbines are also well below the pressure of sound levels known to affect health.
While some wind turbines may cause a shadow flicker when the blades of the turbine pass between the sun and the observer, this effect can only be seen from a distance of less than 1,400 meters from the turbine during certain seasons and times of day. Furthermore, when shadow flicker is present, it typically occurs at a frequency of 0.3–1.1 Hertz (Hz), which is well below the threshold known to elicit seizures in those with epilepsy.
Recent research from DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has helped quantify the health benefits of wind plants .
Do wind turbines make noise?
Wind turbines can create two kinds of sound: a mechanical hum produced by the generator and a “whooshing” sound produced by the blades moving through the air. Most wind turbines are designed so that the turbine is upwind of the tower, which mitigates low-frequency and impulsive sound. The presence of turbine sound depends on atmospheric conditions, and the ability for humans to perceive wind turbine sound varies based on the presence of other nearby sources of sound and site-specific topography. However, the sound pressure levels for modern wind turbines at distances greater than 400 meters are typically less than 40 decibels (dBA), which is comparable to the lowest limit of urban ambient sound.
Depending on the site, proximity to nearby residences, and the permitting regulations, wind farm developers are typically required to address potential sound issues in the permitting process through setback requirements and must demonstrate that the project will comply with the applicable sound level regulations. Setbacks are standards defined to create space between areas of concern and the wind project. Common areas of concern include property lines, inhabited structures, and public roads, as well as communication and electrical lines. Sound requirements create a standard maximum level of allowed sound due to the operation of wind systems. These standards often include a defined method of measuring sound level.
There are no nationally or internationally defined standards for wind turbine setbacks, with many organizations or local governments defining their own standards, typically incorporated into town or county ordinances. For more information, see the WINDExchange webpage on wind turbine sound and the list of other resources on OpenEI: Sound .
Is wind power more expensive than other forms of energy?
The average levelized cost of wind power purchase agreements signed in recent years has been 2–3 cents per kilowatt-hour, depending on the wind resource and the project’s financing. Because the electricity from wind farms is sold at a fixed price over a long period of time (e.g., 20 years) and its fuel is free, wind energy mitigates the price uncertainty that fuel costs add to traditional sources of energy.
Since 2008, wind turbine prices have declined sharply while performance has improved. In addition, federal tax incentives have helped both wind and solar power purchase agreement prices fall below the projected cost of burning natural gas in existing gas-fired combined cycle units. For more information on the current state of the U.S. wind power market, refer to the Energy Department’s Wind Market Reports .
Where are wind turbines manufactured?
Most of the components of wind turbines installed in the United States are manufactured domestically at the more than 500 wind-related manufacturing facilities across the United States. For more information and for a map of wind-related manufacturing facilities, see our Wind Manufacturing and Supply Chain web page.
How can I find a job in the wind industry?
American Clean Power, a renewable energy trade association, has a web page on careers in the wind industry that includes job postings from its members and other companies working in the industry. See DOE’s Wind Career Map to chart a path among the wind industry’s broad range of occupations and learn about experience and skill expectations, wage information, and educational requirements.
For those interested in continuing education for careers in the wind industry, WINDExchange maintains a list of universities and community colleges that offer wind energy training courses.
What is the federal government doing to advance wind power?
The Wind Energy Technologies Office invests in wind energy science research and development activities to enable greater use of abundant domestic wind resources for electric power generation that will help stabilize energy costs, enhance energy security, and improve our environment. These activities are conducted through competitively selected, cost-shared research and development projects with national laboratories, industry, universities, and other agencies. For more information, see our About the Office , Research and Development , Multi-Year Program Plan , and Key Activities web pages.
What funding opportunities are currently available from the U.S. Department of Energy?
The Wind Energy Technologies Office focuses primarily on research and development activities to improve the reliability and affordability of wind energy, as well as addressing barriers to wind energy deployment. The Wind Energy Technologies Office prefers to award funding for research and development activities, including research into and development of new inventions, through a competitive solicitation process.
For a list of current opportunities from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office, see our funding opportunities web page . To be considered for funding, proposals for wind energy research and development should be submitted in response to competitive solicitations posted on this page. Future solicitations are dependent on Congressional appropriations to DOE for wind energy research.
DOE also awards competitively-sourced funding for research and development through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and Small Business Voucher Pilot program. Wind energy projects may also qualify for loan guarantees from DOE. For more information, please visit the DOE Loan Guarantee Program .
If you are interested in applying for funding, but your project does not fit within the scope of the posted solicitations, you may submit a proposal to DOE's Unsolicited Proposal Office .
How can students learn about wind energy?
The Wind Energy Technologies Office supports a variety of programs that help students learn about and prepare for careers in wind energy.
The U.S. Department of Energy Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC) provides students with real-world experience as they prepare to enter the wind industry workforce. CWC teams design and build a model turbine, generate a wind project development plan, and conduct outreach with the wind industry, their local communities, and local media outlets.
Also at the university level, the Wind for Schools project helps develop a future wind energy workforce by encouraging students at higher education institutions to join Wind Application Centers and serve as project consultants for small wind turbine installations at rural elementary and secondary schools. Wind for Schools project goals are to:
- Improve wind energy workforce development through wind-focused deployment and educational activities.
- Introduce teachers and students to wind energy.
- Equip college juniors and seniors with an education in wind energy applications.
- Engage America’s communities in wind energy applications, benefits, and challenges.
Wind for Schools aims to educate college students in wind energy applications with a focus on hands-on small wind project development through classes and field work. The Wind Application Centers develop and share curricula, with each institution focusing on technical areas that are the strengths of the respective professors and institutions.
The Wind for Schools project works closely with the KidWind Project and the National Energy Education Development Project to provide hands-on, interactive curricula that are supported through teacher training workshops in different states. The project has also provided teacher training science kits for use in the classroom, as well as links to additional teaching materials.
The following websites feature student-focused information on wind energy, including hands-on activities and lesson plans:
Curricula and Lesson Plans
- 4-H Group Wind Curriculum
- National Energy Education Development Project K-12 wind curriculum
- U.S. Energy Information Agency: Energy Kids
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Energy Basics
- Educators for the Environment: Energy for Keeps (includes a wind energy section)
- U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Literacy Videos
- TED-Ed: A Guide to the Energy of the Earth
- PBS SciGirls: Blowin’ in the Wind
American Geosciences Institute
- Policy & Critical Issues
- Advisory Committees
- Coalitions & Working Groups
Explore the Geosciences
- Mineral Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Geoscience In Your State
- Policy News & Monthly Review
- Policy Annual Review
- Federal Geoscience Funding
Policy Positions
- Codes of Ethics
- Critical Needs
- Letters and Statements
- Policy Recommendations
- Position Statements
- Case Studies
- Geoscience in Your State
- GOLI Online Courses
- Maps & Visualizations
- Petroleum and the Environment
- Policy Publications
- Research Database
- Congressional Briefings
- Congressional Visits Days
Get Involved
- Communicating with Congress
- Fellowships
- Internships
External Resources
- U.S. Congress
- Federal Agencies
- State & Local Agencies
What are the advantages and disadvantages of offshore wind farms?
Advantages:
- Offshore wind speeds tend to be faster than on land. 1 Small increases in wind speed yield large increases in energy production: a turbine in a 15-mph wind can generate twice as much energy as a turbine in a 12-mph wind. Faster wind speeds offshore mean much more energy can be generated.
- Offshore wind speeds tend to be steadier than on land. 1 A steadier supply of wind means a more reliable source of energy.
- Many coastal areas have very high energy needs. Half of the United States’ population lives in coastal areas, 1 with concentrations in major coastal cities. Building offshore wind farms in these areas can help to meet those energy needs from nearby sources.
- Offshore wind farms have many of the same advantages as land-based wind farms – they provide renewable energy; they do not consume water; they provide a domestic energy source; they create jobs; and they do not emit environmental pollutants or greenhouse gases. 2
Disadvantages:
- It is very hard to build robust and secure wind farms in water deeper than around 200 feet (~60 m), or over half a football field’s length. Although coastal waters off the east coast of the U.S. are relatively shallow, almost all of the potential wind energy resources off the west coast are in waters exceeding this depth. 3 Floating wind turbines are beginning to overcome this challenge.
- Wave action, and even very high winds, particularly during heavy storms or hurricanes, can damage wind turbines. 1
- The production and installation of power cables under the seafloor to transmit electricity back to land can be very expensive. 1
- Effects of offshore wind farms on marine animals and birds are not fully understood. 4
- Offshore wind farms built within view of the coastline (up to 26 miles offshore, depending on viewing conditions 5 ) may be unpopular among local residents, and may affect tourism and property values. 3
1 Offshore Wind Energy Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 2 Advantages and Challenges of Wind Energy U.S. Department of Energy 3 Large-Scale Offshore Wind Power in the United States - Executive Summary (2010) National Renewable Energy Laboratory 4 Environmental Impacts and Siting of Wind Projects U.S. Department of Energy 5 Offshore Wind Turbine Visibility and Visual Impact Threshold Distances Argonne National Laboratory
Learn More:
- Offshore Wind Energy (Website), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Website providing a broad overview of offshore wind technology, including history, technology, national resources, current and future U.S. wind power, and environmental considerations.
- Offshore Wind Research and Development (Website), U.S. Department of Energy Website outlining how the U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Program is working to help develop offshore wind energy in the United States.
- Assessment of Offshore Wind Energy Resources for the United States (Report), National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2010 report on the potential for offshore wind energy development in the United States.
- 2016 Offshore Wind Technologies Market Report (Report), National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2016 report on the status of the U.S. offshore wind industry, including domestic and global market developments, technology trends, and economic data.
- 2017 Offshore Wind Technologies Market Update (Presentation), National Renewable Energy Laboratory Supplement to NREL's 2016 report on offshore wind technologies providing an update with 2017 data.
- Advances in Earth Science: Offshore Energy (Webinar), American Geosciences Institute 2016 webinar on advances in offshore energy production, technologies, and challenges, including both oil & gas and wind energy.
Related Frequently Asked Questions
- Board of Directors
- AGI Connections Newsletter
- Nominations
- News and Announcements
- Membership Benefits
- Strategic Plan
- Annual Report
- Member Societies
- Member Society Council
- International Associates
- Trade Associates
- Academic Associates
- Regional Associates
- Liaison Organizations
- Community Documents
- Geoscience Calendar
- Center for Geoscience & Society
- Education & Outreach
- Diversity Activities
- Scholarly Information
- Earth Science Week
- Publication Store
- Glossary of Geology
- Earth Science Week Toolkit
- 2020 AGI Publications Catalog
- I'm a Geoscientist
- Free Geoscience Resources
- AGI Connections
- Be a Visiting Geoscientist
- Use Our Workspace
- Transparency
Main Search
Fiscal notes, a review of the texas economy.
Current Issue (PDF)
Translation:
Texas’ energy profile a review of the state's current traditional and renewable energy capabilities.
By Fiscal Notes staff Published September 2022
Texas is experiencing a population boom, adding nearly 4 million residents over the past decade. In 2021, the state had an estimated population of more than 29.5 million people, with about 88 percent of the growth concentrated in the state’s largest metro areas. In addition to new residents, businesses are flocking to Texas . Last year alone, 63 companies announced plans to move their headquarters here, with more companies planning to do the same this year.
Continued growth in population and industry means increased demand for energy to power appliances, machinery and other equipment necessary for daily life, as well as for the manufacturing of products that require fossil fuels to produce. Rising demand raises a myriad of questions: How do we generate enough energy to meet our needs? How do we get that energy where it needs to go? Are the sources of energy generating electricity when the demand peaks? What is the mix of generation needed today and in the decades ahead?
Evolving Role of Renewable Resources
Texas leads the nation in both energy production and energy consumption . In 2021, Texas produced more energy than any other state, accounting for almost 12 percent of the nation’s total net energy generation. During the same year, Texas was the largest producer of oil (43 percent), natural gas (25 percent) and wind-powered electricity (26 percent) in the nation.
Many renewable energy facilities are planned and underway in the state, but we may not see the benefit of those projects for decades to come.
Even with such immense energy production capabilities, the current Texas electricity infrastructure, for example, is unable to transmit and store all the electricity generated by renewable energy sources, including wind and solar. Indeed, many renewable energy facilities are planned and underway in the state, but we may not see the benefit of those projects for decades to come.
Given the energy demands of such a populous state, renewable sources alone are not up to the task of bearing the load. Texas needs a diverse energy portfolio that includes traditional oil and gas resources to ensure the state has access to sustainable, cost-effective energy production.
Electricity 101: How Electricity Gets to You
Energy is all around us and can be harnessed and converted into different forms depending on the intended use. Thermal, hydro, solar and wind energies can all be utilized to produce electricity and power our world. Most power plants in Texas and around the world generate electricity using steam turbines or, more recently, combustion turbines, powered by fuels such as natural gas. These turbines use steam or high-pressured gas to spin the rotor blades that, in turn, generate electricity.
ELECTRICITY GENERATION FROM AN ELECTRIC TURBINE
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
Wind-energy-powered turbines use wind, rather than steam or gas, to rotate the blades that power the electricity-generating turbines. Solar photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly into electricity.
Once electricity is generated, it needs to be transmitted, distributed and used immediately, as it cannot be easily stored. To get the generated electricity from the remote areas in which it is typically generated to the more populous areas where it is needed, electricity is moved through transmission lines and delivered to consumers via a network of distribution lines. Transmission lines are a vital component of the electricity market for linking generators to consumers.
TRANSPORTING ELECTRICITY
Source: National Energy Education Development
Texas’ Current Energy Needs and Capabilities
Access to reliable energy sources ensures that the Texas electricity grid operates smoothly and continuously. Grid operators must anticipate real-time electricity demands and adjust quickly to deviations. For the most part, load demand follows a consistent pattern, but extreme weather conditions like a particularly hot summer or severe winter storm can strain the grid.
To meet projected demand, grid operators calculate the hourly predicted electricity demand over a 24-hour period, along with the availability of energy sources to meet that need in what is known as an electric load curve ( Exhibit 1 ). The base load refers to the minimum amount of electricity needed during that period and is fueled by the most reliable and affordable energy sources. Other sources are then utilized to fulfill the difference during peak load demand, the period of highest demand (i.e., the hottest part of the day), and intermediate load, the period when demand is between base and peak loads. Proper load management ensures that consumers don’t experience service disruptions or exorbitant electricity bills.
EXHIBIT 1: EXAMPLE OF BASE, INTERMEDIATE AND PEAK LOADS DURING A 24-HOUR PERIOD
Note: Numbers are meant to illustrate usage and are not representative of actual data. Source: Institute for Energy Research
Wind and solar power are self-limiting electricity generators, in that they are subject to Mother Nature, with wind energy tending to peak in the evening and early morning and solar energy peaking in the afternoon. Given a lack of significant long-duration storage and the increasing number of new generators among both traditional and renewable sources, a more robust transmission infrastructure is necessary to bring the energy to where it needs to be since it must be moved and utilized as soon as it is generated.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the state’s electric grid operator, currently manages an electricity infrastructure (PDF) consisting of more than 1,030 generating units and almost 53,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines. But that infrastructure is unable to bring all the electricity generated by renewable fuel sources to the areas in need of electricity, and even if it could, renewables alone couldn’t meet the demand for energy in Texas. ERCOT’s breakdown of energy use by fuel source in 2021 consisted of 61 percent fossil fuel sources, 28 percent wind and solar sources and the remainder from a combination of other sources ( Exhibit 2 ). A diverse Texas energy profile is needed to ensure demand is met and that the electric load curve is maintained.
EXHIBIT 2: ENERGY USE BY FUEL SOURCE, 2021
Note: Figures may not sum due to rounding. Source: ERCOT
What About Wind and Solar?
For the last decade and a half, Texas has led the nation in wind-powered electricity generation, producing nearly 26 percent of the U.S. wind energy in 2021. The state’s vast and diverse geography makes it a leader in solar-generation potential as well. But with all that generating capability, if the electricity can’t flow to places it’s needed, it’s lost.
Wind and solar generators across the state have been asked by ERCOT to initiate curtailment — essentially, to reduce output below the maximum generation capacity when generation exceeds transmission capacity. Curtailment prevents transmission congestion caused by grid constraints and helps to avoid overloads.
There are simply not enough transmission lines to move all the wind- and solar-generated electricity to the customers that need it.
Transmission lines can take eight to 10 years to build and require significant capital investment. Increasing energy capacity in any sector is not as simple as just increasing production. In a recent interview with Bloomberg , Chevron Corp. CEO Mike Wirth said that “we’re looking at committing capital 10 years out.”
Planning and investing in a balanced approach to the energy market allows for a variety of energy sources to be utilized, given the inevitability of changing supply and demand.
External Energy Factors
Outside factors can affect the energy industry, increasing volatility in the market. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had cascading consequences on the energy industry. Before the war, Russia supplied around 40 percent of Europe’s natural gas imports and 30 percent of its oil imports. Also, much of Europe has faced historically high temperatures this summer and has seen both the demand and price of natural gas skyrocket . Germany, for instance, recently announced plans to restart retired coal-powered electricity plants to meet demand. Furthermore, in July, members of the European Union voted to include natural gas on the list of sustainable activities to increase energy production for its members.
The war in Ukraine has affected natural gas availability and its price in the U.S. as well. In Texas, natural gas prices have increased more than 66 percent from January to July of this year, resulting in higher utility bills for many customers across the state. Texas is a leader in natural gas production, consumption and exporting, with nearly half of all U.S. liquified natural gas (LNG) exports flowing through Texas terminals in 2020. Nearly 75 percent of U.S. LNG was exported to Europe during the first four months of 2022, an increase from the annual average of 34 percent, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, making clear the continued and rising need for Texas LNG abroad.
What Texas is Doing
Texas has come a long way in diversifying its energy portfolio over the last decade ( Exhibit 3 ).
Given the state’s current generating and production capacities, along with the current transmission infrastructure, it is not feasible to “flip a switch” and transition to 100 percent renewable energy overnight, says Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar in an editorial piece published in The Dallas Morning News . Many sectors of manufacturing, such as the auto industry and petrochemical and plastics production industry, are dependent on oil and gas to use equipment that doesn’t operate on renewable energy.
EXHIBIT 3: ERCOT GENERATION FUEL MIX, 2011-2021
Texas has enormous potential for energy production and electricity generation, but increased investment in the state’s electricity infrastructure, including transmission lines, is critical. It is difficult to estimate the cost of that investment but using a baseline such as the Competitive Renewable Energy Zone, at $2,500 per MW-mile (PDF) , it’s reasonable to conclude a significant capital investment would be necessary.
Energy and Technology Go Hand-in-Hand
The demand, supply and capabilities of Texas’ energy industries will grow along with technology, innovation and investment. But time is needed for that growth, and the Comptroller has pointed out that fossil fuels will remain a crucial part of the energy mix for the foreseeable future. The importance of oil and gas goes beyond generating electricity. The U.S. Department of Energy lists thousands of products that are manufactured with the use of petrochemicals — from heart valves to water pipes to wind turbine blades. Petroleum is a component of many products that we use every day, including the parts that make electric and traditional vehicles lighter in weight and more efficient.
“We must work together to advance timely, practical solutions that develop renewable energy, while acknowledging the continued importance of a diversified energy portfolio. Our economic health and well-being depend on it,” says Comptroller Hegar. FN
To learn more about the related subject of gas prices, tune in to the September Fiscal Notes video . Check out the full playlist .
Required Applications:
- Adobe Flash Player
- Adobe Reader
- MS Excel App
- MS PowerPoint App
- MS Word App
- QuickTime Player
- Windows Media Player
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
ही ऊर्जा अत्यंत सुरक्षित आणि किफायतशीर आहे. पवन ऊर्जेमुळे वायू प्रदूषण व जल
भूपृष्ठावरील प्रवाहित हवेची ऊर्जा. भूपृष्ठावरील वाऱ्याच्या गतिज ऊर्जेला पवन ऊर्जा
Wind power or wind energy is mostly the use of wind turbines to generate electricity. Wind power is a popular, sustainable, renewable energy source that has
सौर ऊर्जा, पवन ऊर्जा, जैवइंधन (बायोफ्युएल), लाटांपासून ऊर्जा निर्मिती आणि
Green energy is any energy type that is generated from natural resources, such as sunlight, wind or water. Green energy often comes from renewable energy
What is wind energy and how do wind turbines work? · How can I get a wind turbine or wind farm at my house or property? · How much energy comes from wind in the
Topics Covered:• Wind energy• Uses of wind energy• How is wind energy used to produce electricity ?• What is a wind turbine ?
Advantages: Offshore wind speeds tend to be faster than on land.1 Small increases in wind speed yield large increases in energy production: a turbine in a
Maine is endowed with plentiful bioenergy, wind, hydropower, ocean, and other renewable energy resources. Non-hydro renewables are responsible for 32% of
Wind and solar power are self-limiting electricity generators, in that they are subject to Mother Nature, with wind energy tending to peak in the evening and