Wind power is a concept in which wind energy is converted into electrical or mechanical power. A wind turbine is a machine that converts wind energy into electrical power. Actually it converts kinetic energy that is present in the wind into electrical energy. Wind turbines charge batteries and generate electrical power.
Wind Turbines
- Hundreds of wind turbines are normally installed on big farms. These turbines are linked to a specialized system to generate electrical power.
- When wind turbines are located at the same place for the production of electricity, these group of turbines are collectively known as wind farms.
- The speed of wind on offshore regions is much greater and constant than on land. That is why wind turbines are normally installed on offshore areas.
- The two top companies that are manufacturing wind turbines on a large scale are Vestas and Siemens.
- There are more than 200,000 operational wind turbines all over the world. They have the capacity to generate 282,482 MW power.
Wind power is used by 83 countries to produce electricity.
Wind Farms
- In the year 2012, the number of wind turbines installed all over Europe was 1,662. These wind turbines were set up in 55 wind farms. As a group, they generated 18 TWh of electricity. This amount of electricity is enough to provide power to 5 million homes.
- In the year 2020, the capacity of wind farms around the world for generating power in offshore regions is going to arrive at 75 GW. The two main countries involved in generating 75 GW of power are USA and China.
- The biggest wind farm around the world is London Array. It is located in UK and has the capacity to produce 630 MW power.
- The second biggest offshore wind farm is called Greater Gabbard Wind Farm. It is also located in UK and has the capacity to produce 504 MW power.
Benefits
- Wind power is a substitute for fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are made up of dead animals and plants. Due to the increasing usage of fossil fuels by humans, they are closing down at a very fast rate. All fossil fuels contain carbon and include natural gas, coal and petroleum.
- Wind power is a clean source of energy.
- It is a renewable energy source which means it cannot be finished.
- It requires very small space on land and it also does not emit greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, ozone, methane and nitrous oxide. These gases act like a greenhouse on our planet’s atmosphere. They are the main cause of global warming.
- As compare to other energy sources, wind power is more environment-friendly source of energy.
- One of the best things about wind power is that it has zero cost of fuel.
- It is observed that farm animals continue to graze on land when wind turbines are installed. This means wind turbines do not seem to disturb them.
Learn more: Fossil Fuels Facts For Kids
Leading Countries
- Denmark has been a leading country to produce electricity from wind power. It started using this vital energy source during 1970s.
- During 1980s, USA was the leading country by having maximum capacity for producing wind power through wind farms.
- In 1997, Germany beat USA and became the leading country in the production of wind power.
- In 2010, China became the leading country with maximum capacity for wind power generation.
- Europe
- In 2009, Europe contributed 48 percent to the production of wind power around the world.
- By producing 42,976 GWh power, Spain was the top producer of wind power throughout Europe in 2010.
- During 2010, Germany was the leading European country that had maximum installed capacity of 27,215 MW wind power.
Altamont Pass Wind Farm
- One of the oldest wind farms of USA is located in California and is called as Altamont Pass Wind Farm.
- There are 4,930 wind turbines in this farm.
- It is found in Altamont Pass.
- Altamont Pass has the biggest number of wind turbines around the world that are installed together in a small area.
- The capacity of Altamont Pass Wind Farm is 576 Megawatts (MW) power.
More Facts
- More than 30 percent of Denmark’s electricity is produced by wind power.
- The production of energy through wind power is increasing all over the world at the rate of 25 percent every year.
- In the year 2010, the share of wind power in the production of electricity around the world has been 2.5 percent.
- The capacity to generate wind power around the world increased to 4 times more during 6 years starting from 2000 to 2006.
