WIND ENERGY
WIND ENERGY – CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY THAT CAN POWER YOUR HOME AND SAVE YOU MONEY
Wind Energy is a clean, renewable source of energy that can power your home and save you money on electricity costs. It produces no toxic emissions and does not contribute to global warming like fossil fuels do, so it is an important part of the solution to the climate crisis.
Wind primarily generates electricity through the action of a wind turbine. The turbine consists of two parts: the rotor (which turns the blades that produce energy) and the generator (which converts that energy into 60-cycle AC or alternating current electricity).
The energy generated by a turbine can be used on-site, delivered to transmission lines for use right away, or stored in batteries for later use. The electricity produced by a wind turbine is a clean, renewable resource that does not contribute to global warming and is available almost everywhere.
There are many types of wind energy, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Compared to other forms of energy generation, the wind is among the most efficient and cost-effective.
In the United States, wind turbines can be installed on land or offshore. Large-scale wind farms can be located anywhere there is a consistent breeze and are designed to provide large amounts of electricity for communities or businesses.
These farms typically take up very little land in comparison to their potential output, making them a good choice for remote and rural areas. They have become a major driving force in the development of renewable energies.
It is estimated that a single commercial wind farm can generate enough energy for the needs of a small community. It is also possible to build a wind farm that can supply hundreds of thousands or millions of people, depending on the site’s wind conditions and power demands.
The largest wind farms are located in the United States and Germany, where the wind blows most often. They can also be found in China, India, and other countries with strong wind speeds and high electricity demand.
Whether you want to harness the power of the wind or use it to pump water, grind grain or generate electricity, Green Mountain Energy has a plan that meets your needs and helps protect our planet. Choosing wind energy will help reduce your carbon footprint and support local jobs.
WIND ENERGY OVERVIEW
The United States has one of the highest levels of wind energy production in the world. Its average annual production amounted to about 4 percent of all worldwide electric generation in 2016.
Some of the most promising areas for wind energy are on the ocean, where there is a constant breeze and strong wind speeds. But offshore wind energy is expensive to install and not scalable, so it must be combined with other sources of energy.
There are three main types of wind power: distributed, utility-scale, and industrial. Each type has different characteristics and operational demands that require specialized knowledge and expertise.
DISTRIBUTED OR “SMALL” WIND: RESIDENTIAL-SIZED WIND TURBINES BELOW 100 KILOWATTS ARE USED TO DIRECTLY POWER HOMES, FARMS, OR SMALL BUSINESSES AND AREN’T CONNECTED TO THE GRID.
