What are the Advantages of Wind Energy – Top 6

Wanna know what are the advantages of wind energy in real life? If yes, then you are at the right place at the very right time. But before going ahead, let me give you a short and crisp review about the fact that what is wind energy anyway?

By definition, wind energy is nothing but the energy of wind that we primarily use to generate electricity or for doing some kind of mechanical work. In fact, as per the scientific community, just because the sun is the driving force behind the emergence of wind, wind energy is also regarded as a form of solar energy.

 

Advantages of Wind Energy – Top 6

There are so many good things about wind energy that you definitely not wanna miss. Out of all, these are the top 6 benefits of wind energy that I will be discussing with you today. Let’s dive right in…!!!

• Wind Energy is Renewable
• Wind Energy protects Environment
• No Fuel Required
• Low Operating and Maintenance Cost
• Sharp Decrease in Installation Cost
• Create Jobs and Uplift Economy

 

Wind Energy is Renewable

Out of all, the renewability of wind energy is one of the most important aspects of using wind energy. Like all the other renewable energy resources, wind energy is replenished or restored by nature over a period of time. In other words, it will never run out.

First, just because wind energy is nothing but a form of solar energy. Second, as per scientific calculations, we know for sure that the sun will shine forever in the sky.

Therefore, from the above two arguments, we can summarize that as long as there is a sun in the sky, we will continue to utilize the never-ending energy of the wind.

 

Wind Energy Protects Environment

The next and one of the most economical advantages of wind energy is that it protects our environment. In today’s world, more than 75% of the world’s energy need is being met by using non-renewable resources. By non-renewables I mean fossil fuels such as coal or petroleum products, and, of course, nuclear energy.

The excessive utilization of non-renewables (primarily fossil fuels) is degrading our environment exponentially. As per the recent World Nuclear Association’s report on Comparison of Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Various Electricity Generation Sources, a coal power plant emits 888 tonnes of CO₂ per gigawatt-hour (GWh) of energy produced.

Similarly, for other non-renewable resources like natural gas and oil-powered plants, it is 499 and 733 tonnes per GWh, respectively. Therefore, in order to protect our environment from further deterioration, we need to switch to energy resources that have the lowest carbon footprint.

This is where wind power comes in handy. Whether you are producing or using wind power, it is one of the cleanest as well as the lowest carbon emission energy resources. In other words, one can simply say that wind energy is (almost) emission-free.

 

No Fuel Required

One of the most significant advantages of wind energy over fossil fuels is that wind power plant does not require any kind of fuel to produce electricity. For example, in the case of a Coal Power Plant, the combustion of coal takes place to generate heat which is used to vaporize water to produce steam.

Later, the steam is then released and directed towards the blade of the turbine. Finally, as the blade touches the turbine, the potential energy of steam spins the blades of the turbine, which in turn starts off the electric generator to produce electricity.

This is how we produce electricity in coal or any type of conventional power plant. On the other hand, wind power plant does not need to burn any fuel to produce heat. WHY? Because in order to rotate wind turbines, wind power plants use the energy of wind. Confused??? Okay, let me explain how this works!!!

As the wind touches the turbine, the potential energy of wind rotates the blades of the turbine, which in turn starts off the electric generator to produce electricity. Yeah, it’s that simple…!!!

 

Low Operating and Maintenance Cost

No one can deny the fact that the initial cost of installing a wind power plant could be crushing. However, once installed, these systems normally require less maintenance as compared to the other conventional sources of electricity generation. In fact, as per the available data, the average life span of a good quality wind turbine is somewhere about 20 to 25 years.

In other words, once you install a wind power plant, you do not have to spend a hefty amount for almost 20 to 25 years. Isn’t that cool? Therefore, I would simply request you to switch to wind power. Not to mention, since almost all the parts are mechanical, therefore, as a result, from time to time, you may have to call a maintenance guy for a regular checkup.

On the other hand, just because wind power plants do not require any kind of external fuel (fossil fuels) to produce electricity. Therefore, as a result, their operating costs are comparatively low. One can also summarize that by using wind power, we can drastically reduce our dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation.

 

Sharp Decrease in Installation Cost

Thanx to the next-gen technological advancement, on one hand, the cost of installation is decreasing. On the other hand, the efficiency of wind turbines is also increasing exponentially. You can say it’s a double bonanza. As per the available data, the efficiency of a typical wind power plant is somewhere around 30 to 40%.

The first-ever wind turbine for generating electricity was built in Scotland in July 1887 by Prof James Blyth of Anderson’s College, Glasgow (the precursor of Strathclyde University). At that time, due to the lowest efficiency ever, the invention never really caught on as the technology was not considered to be economically viable.

See, where we are standing right now. Currently, wind power plants are among one of the cheapest and reliable sources of electricity generation. That is why I am asking you again to switch to wind power.

 

Create Jobs and Uplift Rural Economy

Last but not least advantage of wind energy is that it creates jobs and uplifts the rural economy. Yup, you heard me right. Not only the wind energy sector creates job opportunities. It also helps in the upliftment of the rural as well as the national economy.

In fact, as per energy.gov, the U.S. wind sector employs more than 100,000 workers. This data only relates to the United States of America. I haven’t even mentioned the employment opportunities in the wind energy sector across the globe.

Some of the notable sectors include Grid Engineer, Wind Performance Specialist, Micrositing Engineer, Instrumentation and Controls Engineer, Battery Engineering, Data Visualizer, Manager, Energy Storage Expert, Wind Turbine Load Engineer, Onshore – Offshore Manager, and many more.

 

Some other Advantages of Wind Energy:

Apart from the above-mentioned benefits or advantages, I am also mentioning some of a few here.

• Large number of applications
• Huge potential
• Reduces electricity bill
• Wind Power plants can be built on existing farms
• Provides stability in Energy Sector, etc.

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