How does wind energy work?

Wind power is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy technologies. Wind power or wind energy is the use of wind to provide mechanical power through wind turbines to turn electric generators for electrical power.

Wind farms consist of many individual wind turbines, which are connected to the electric power transmission network. Onshore wind is an inexpensive source of electric power, competitive with or in many places cheaper than coal or gas plants. Onshore wind farms have a greater visual impact on the landscape than other power stations, as they need to be spread over more land and need to be built away from the dense population. Offshore wind is steadier and stronger than on land and offshore farms have less visual impact, but construction and maintenance costs are significantly higher.

Wind energy is sustainable

Wind energy does not generate waste or contaminate water- an extremely important factor given the scarcity of water. Unlike fossil fuels and nuclear power plants, wind energy has one of the lowest water consumption footprints which makes a key for conserving hydrological resources. Wind power is the most efficient technology to produce energy in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner. It is zero emissions, local, inexhaustible, competitive and it creates wealth and jobs.

Benefits of wind energy

Wind power is cost-effective. The land based utility scale wind is one of the lowest-priced energy sources available today.

Wind energy is a source of renewable energy. It does not contaminate, it is inexhaustible and reduces the use of fossil fuels, which are the origin of greenhouse gasses that cause global warming.

In addition, wind energy is “native” energy, because it is available practically everywhere on the plant, which contributes to reducing energy imports and to create wealth and local employment.

For these reasons, producing electricity through wind energy and its efficient use contributes to sustainable development.

The future of wind energy

Wind energy is available worldwide. It supports a strong domestic supply chain. Wind has the potential to support over thousands of jobs in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and supporting services by 2050.

Wind energy reduces air pollution emissions. Operating wind energy capacity avoided the emission of air pollutants, which include sulphur dioxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide. By 2050, it will avoid the emission of multiple gigatons of greenhouse gases. Wind energy preserves huge water resources in future.