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WIND TURBINES AS ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Wind Turbine Recognition
The earliest known wind turbine dates back to 200 BC. Persians
used a primitive wind machine which was introduced 50 years
later to the Roman Empire. The first actual "windmill", used for
gristmills and caning of sugar was used in Afghanistan in the 7th
Century. Some seven centuries later, the Dutch used windmills in
pumping stations to drain parts of the Rhine River delta. Wind
turbine recognition developed into an essential means for
providing energy mostly in agricultural areas where wind levels
were above normal.
Alternative Energy Recognition
Wind turbine technology has advanced as a viable alternative
energy. It is successfully used in Canada, Europe, and has been
gaining alternative energy recognition in the United States as a
result of a decline in dependency on fossil fuels as a source of
energy.
There are two types of wind turbines based upon the axis in which
it rotates: The first type is a turbine that rotates horizontally
around its axis. The second type is known as "vertical axis" and
is less commonly used. Modern turbines are generally three-bladed.
Aerodynamic modeling helps determine optimum tower height, control
system, number of blades as well as blade shape.
Alternative Energy Solutions
Wind turbines provide a clean alternative energy solution that are
pollution free and offset pollution created by energy companies.
Wind turbines can be used for residences. Generally, a home that
uses 9400 kilowatt hours of electricity annually would require a
turbine of 5 to 15 kilowatts. However, these turbines are not
suitable for urban areas unless the turbine tower is relatively
small and the property is at least one acre in size.
Capturing energy from wind in residential areas has the benefit of
offsetting 1.2 tons of air pollutants over the life of the turbine
and 200 tons of greenhouse gases. Installation of residential wind
turbines may generate some noise, though it is usually not
objectionable. In most cases, the wind turbine makes less noise
than a washing machine. In the United States, 47 of 50 states are
counted among those with installed residential wind turbines
throughout parts of the Northeast and Midwest.
Wind turbine recognition is growing and over time proves an energy
savings to consumers and the environment alike. As alternative
energy grows, so too does wind turbine recognition. Wind turbines
have their place in protecting the environment from pollution that
exacerbates global warming. Combined with other alternative energy
solutions, wind turbines offer the opportunity to make a
difference in pollution levels largely emitted by energy
industries that provide energy for consumers.
