Wind Energy Benefits
Wind energy is a fast growing sector in energy generation which has received tremendous support globally from consumers, legislative bodies and international commissions. International policies like Kyoto Protocol are turning the world's focus towards clean development with minimal impact on the environment. In order to reduce the carbon footprint of companies, more incentives are offered if investment in the renewable sector is prioritized.
The condition of our planet worries people around the globe. Policies to support investments in the renewable energy section have been initiated. Governments and international commissions are keen to encourage investments through subsidies and tax benefits given to institutional and retail investors.
Electricity generation based on wind power is a very fast growing sector of the energy production industry and listed below are a few of the advantages of Wind Energy.
Wind energy is inexhaustible and 100 % renewable
- Wind energy is an inexhaustible source of fuel for energy generation. The sun heats up the Earth’s land and water masses unevenly, resulting in a difference in air pressure. The movement of air which results from the differences in air pressure creates wind.
- Wind is a fuel that is 100 % renewable and inexhaustible. Thus as long as the sun shines on the earth, the wind will always blow; one can not use the last of it.
Readily available fuel
- The fuel required for power generation using a wind turbine is readily available; with wind power there are no supply shortages that can be faced in power production.
- Since the dependence on fossil fuels is zero, the wind farms operate almost independent and unaffected by economic or political policies that may curb the use of non-renewable resources.
Absolutely no toxic gas emissions
- Electricity generated by a wind turbine does not produce any toxic gases. It does not generate gases like Carbon Dioxide, Chlorofluorocarbons etc. that contribute to climate change; neither does it produce hazardous radioactive or toxic waste that could harm the environment.
Electricity is generated from a cost effective source providing faster ROI
- When electricity is generated using wind power it involves zero fuel costs, as wind is freely available. Hence electricity generation using wind is not subject to price inflation as in the case of energy generation using fossil fuels. The variable cost incurred on fuel at a wind power plant = 0.
- After the wind farm investment has reached its break even point, it only produces pure profit.
Wind farms can be located globally and locally
- Electricity can be generated anywhere in the world where the wind blows, and the terrain and climatic conditions are compatible.
- Economies that depend heavily on fossil fuel imports for electricity generation can benefit hugely by using wind energy for power generation. Electricity generation through wind power can substantially reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and will serve as a natural hedge against volatile fossil fuel prices.
Wind farms have low operating costs and fewer resources are required in making them operational.
- The operating costs of a wind power plant are much lower than those of other energy production facilities. In addition, the maintenance of a wind power plant requires lesser capital investment.
- The amount of land and labor required to set up a wind power plant are much smaller than in other sources of energy production. Also, the capital investment involved in commissioning a wind power plant is much lower than with other renewable energy sources.
It is easy to enter the business and shorter lead times are required to set up a wind energy plant
- It is relatively easy and affordable to enter the business and start your own wind farm.
- Wind power plant installation and commissioning requires very short lead times compared to power plants using fossil fuels. The wind park becomes operational and starts power generation after a very short period.
Electricity is generated without consuming non-renewable natural resources
- For a wind turbine to operate and generate power, the only fuel required is wind. No exhaustible natural resources or fossil fuels are involved.
- A wind turbine, in fact, saves other natural resources. For instance, while other power plants utilize billions of liters of water in their energy production process, a wind power plant requires no water at any stage of the power generation process.
Wind energy promotes sustainable development.
- As wind power plants are often built in remote rural areas, they have a strong employing effect to the local community.
- Wind farms are designed to have a long operation life of more than 20 years. Plenty of research and development is put on the dismantling and repowering of wind turbines.
- It is said that using a 1 MW wind turbine to generate electricity can displace 2000 tons of carbon dioxide in one year.
- Wind energy can be produced in locations where it might be impossible to get electricity by other means.
- The advancement in technology is now increasingly leading to wind turbines being installed for domestic power generation which significantly brings down power costs and reduces dependence on energy generated from fossil fuels.
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