| Like everything in life, there are always two sides to | | | | Points to Remember:o Since ancient times, people |
| a coin. Human beings have used wind energy for | | | | have been harnessing power from the wind for |
| hundreds of years. We all know that wind energy is a | | | | everyday use.o Wind energy is free, inexhaustible |
| clean and free source of energy, but is there | | | | and clean.o Wind turbines are also very noisy, and |
| anything that is preventing it from becoming a | | | | some even claim that they affect the migratory |
| mainstream source of energy? | | | | patterns of birds and other wildlife.o Modern power |
| Since ancient times, people have been harnessing | | | | plants can produce ten times more electricity |
| power from the wind for everyday use. Traditionally, | | | | compared to wind turbines. |
| windmills are used to pump water and grind grains. | | | | The uses of wind power, unlike others, carry with it |
| Today, windmills are even used to generate | | | | almost no environmental impact. A single wind turbine |
| electricity.Some of the advantages and disadvantages | | | | can create electricity for over 200 homes. It can be |
| of wind energy are, wind energy is free, inexhaustible | | | | built without any geographical alterations and is |
| and clean. So long as the wind turbines of the windmill | | | | extremely safe and easy to maintain. |
| work, electricity will be generated. | | | | Some would ask, if wind power is so perfect, then |
| Currently the main sources of energy used by the | | | | how come it is so scarcely used? One of the reasons |
| population are derived from the burning of coal, | | | | is that wind power is as reliable as, well, the wind. |
| nuclear reaction and hydroelectric dams. Coal is an | | | | The optimal location for a windmill is where there is a |
| exhaustible resource and when burned, emitting a | | | | constant and moderate flow of wind and there are |
| huge amount of greenhouse gasses into the | | | | very little areas on earth that has such geographical |
| atmosphere. The use of nuclear energy is volatile and | | | | conditions; hence the advantages and disadvantages |
| dangerous. A breakdown in the nuclear reactor could | | | | of wind energy. |
| kill hundreds of people and cause radiation hazards | | | | Another factor would be the cost. Modern power |
| for decades to come in that area. The building of | | | | plants can produce ten times more electricity |
| hydroelectric dams requires the flooding of thousands | | | | compared to wind turbines. Wind turbines are also |
| of acres of land, changing the landscape and | | | | very noisy, and some even claim that they affect |
| destroying habitats. | | | | the migratory patterns of birds and other wildlife. |
| Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Energy, 4 | | | | |