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Wind Power

The exhaustion of natural resources around the world is necessitating the need for additional sources of energy for driving growth in the contemporary society. Additionally the increase in the population and acts of globalization has resulted in an unprecedented pressure on the existent natural resources such as fossil fuels. Sustainable forms of energy in a world seeking to satisfy a large demand for energy provide adequate channels to satisfy the energy needs around the world. Wind energy is considered as a clean source of energy that is sustainable and cheap in terms of production as well as in terms of the costs to the public. Wind energy is preferable in that in does not lead to pollution, which leads to global warming and subsequent changes in the weather patterns.

Rising energy prices in recent times have necessitated the need to develop alternative sources of energy in comparison to the traditional fossil fuels, which are responsible for the global warming, as well as the growth of industries and globalization. Wind energy in the contemporary world is increasingly becoming a popular alternative source of energy. Improvements and advancements in technology have aided the progress in terms of methods used to develop wind power generating plants or machinery such as turbines (Righter, 1996).

There are key challenges in wind power generation because of its reliance of natural phenomena such as the existence of wind and the direction of the wind. Hence, it is impossible to generate energy and ensure a constant supply of energy to the public without the presence of wind. Additionally because of the inconsistencies brought about by weather, it is an inconsistent mode of energy generation. Hence, it could result in high costs of generation. Additionally costs of transmission of energy form wind generating power plants prove too large costs to be accounted for given the inconsistency in terms of supply (Richards, 2010). This is in contrast with other forms of electricity generation, which are reliable because of their non-reliance on climatic and weather conditions. However, their results and costs are detrimental to the environment and expensive respectively.

The United States wind industry form published reports in the American Wind Energy Association publications indicate that the win industry in the United States generated 1695 Megawatts in the first quarter of the year 2012 making the total capacity of wind-generated power to 48,611 Megawatts (American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), 2012). Opposition to the establishment of wind energy projects has been marred by the presence of issues, which inhibit such processes.

Opposition emanates form aesthetic, environmental and aviation reasons. Improved technology has drastically reduced the costs of energy generation from wind power turbines. The present turbines used to generate energy are efficient and effective in terms of generation of electricity. The wind generation industry for empirical studies conducted by Navigant Consulting in the year 2008 provides that an approximate 76,000 jobs were created in the United States alone. Proponents for green energy forms argue that wind energy provides adequate employment for the society (American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), 2012).

The benefits of wind energy could be based in terms of the economic, environmental and safety benefits accrued to the state. From an environmental perspective, wind turbines lack direct emission of pollutants into the environment such as sulphides, nitrates, mercury among other environmentally harmful products. They reduce the costs associated with extraction of other sources of energy such as fossil fuels such as coals and petroleum (Richards, 2010). Essentially as alternative energy source, wind energy reduces the reliance on other forms of energy, which rely on use of fuels such as petroleum and coal for generation of energy. Wind plants are usually isolated in rural areas because of the presence of a vast area, which is ideal for the purpose of establishment of the wind power plants.

Hence, wind power plants in rural areas could be described as catalysts for rural development and progress. Rural farmers usually receive royalty payments for agreements of establishment of wind turbines on their farms. This provides alternative or supplemental sources of income for framers. Incomes and revenues are not restricted to farmers as governments are also able to derive additional revenues from the establishment of wind power plants. This is provided through the property taxes as well as revenues paid from the sale of energy into the main power grids of the country (Righter, 1996).

The government reduces its reliance on traditional energy sources. The drawbacks of wind power are based in terms of efficiency and costs effectiveness to the public as well as in costs of generation of electricity. Environmental issues such as wildlife displacements are also issues, which inhibit full development of wind projects. Wildlife constraints among the major concerns in the society in terms of the establishment of wind turbine projects because wind energy projects result in collisions of avian collisions such a bats and birds (Righter, 1996).

Some birds such as eagles, hawks and owls, which are defined as raptors are protected under the Endangered Species Act of the United States, have been victims of collisions with wind turbines. Hence, this has resulted in loss of endangered species. Establishment of wind plants in bird migratory routes is also an issue, which has been opposed vehemently because of the large number of possible fatalities of the birds heading to new territories (Richards, 2010). Aesthetic and social issues are also predominant in the controversy of establishment of wind power plants. Part of the society objects the establishment of wind power plants or setting up of turbines in some locations. Some claim that setting up of wind turbines along seashores, mountainous and forested areas is detrimental in terms of the visual aspect of such natural areas. The presence of wind turbines results in interruptions of the natural fauna of areas and habitats for wildlife. This is because of constant interruption during maintenance of the wind turbines by the owners (Richards, 2010).

Additionally, objections of establishment of wind turbines are also based on the presence of noise pollution emanating from the mechanical noises of the turbines. On the other hand, there have been concerns on the part of the government because of radar issues. Turbines usually interfere with the civilian and military radar. This is brought about by the reflection of waves resulting in fake radar readings and deflection of radars. Hence, radar issues raise concerns in the aviation industry. In addition, it also brings about issues of national security because of the possibility of real threats, which might be posed as fake radars from wind turbines.

The transmission constraints pose as a significant challenge to the success of sale of power to the public from wind farms. The costs of transmitting power are not relative to the variability of the production of energy. Variability in terms of production is brought about by the presence of wind. Hence without wind energy production is minimal or inexistence. It is evident that all sources of energy have both merits and demerits. Their effectiveness is brought about by the ability of planning on how such forms of energy could be maximized to bring about maximum benefits and minimal constraints and demerits (Richards, 2010).

Hence, wind energy is an excellent alternative. However, this could be maximized with adequate planning in terms of the location of these farms to avoid the opposition associated with the establishment of wind turbines. This could play a significant role in ensuring wildlife safety, national safety and aviation safety preferably with the existence of adequate considerations. The environmental impacts in terms of reduction of global warming through pollution by the establishment of such farms are paramount with the adequate planning for such projects. 

Reference

American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). (2012). “AWEA US Wind Industry First Quarter 2012 Market Report” American Wind Energy Association, Pp. 1-11.

Richards, J. (2010). Wind energy. New York: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark.

Righter, R. W. (1996). Wind energy in America: A history. Norman, Okla: University of Oklahoma Press.