| Wind is one of the cleanest, if not cleanest, renewable | | | | wind power and produces twice as much electricity as |
| energy sources available to us. What most people | | | | any other state. |
| don't know is it is also the fastest growing energy | | | | 7. Modern windmills actually come in two forms, vertical |
| sector. | | | | and horizontal models. |
| Wind is an indirect version of solar power. Different | | | | 8. Horizontal windmills are the stereotypical version that |
| surfaces on the Earth react differently to being hit by | | | | comes to your mind when the word is mentioned. |
| sunlight, particular in regards to heat. As sunlight heats | | | | 9. Vertical mills look like upside down egg beaters, but |
| up surfaces, they warm up at different rates. The | | | | are hypnotic when they spin. |
| surround air also warms up at different rates, fertilizing | | | | 10. Unlike traditional utilities, most energy produced by |
| the wind process. Temperatures over a body of | | | | wind is done by private businesses and sold to utilities |
| water like a lake will always be cooler than | | | | through an electric grid hookup. |
| temperatures over rocky ground. Hot air rises and cool | | | | 11. Wind power in the U.S. generates a whopping 17 |
| air rushes into fill such voids. As this process occurs, | | | | billion kilowatts per year, more than enough to provide |
| the rushing air manifests as wind and an incredibly | | | | all electrical needs for the city of Chicago. |
| cheap and clean energy source. | | | | 12. More than 30 states have wind farms generating |
| The fact that wind is a naturally occurring event | | | | and supplying electricity to utility companies. |
| makes it a great energy source. Consider the following: | | | | 13. California, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wyoming |
| 1. Wind is a renewable energy source because it will | | | | are the dominant forces in producing energy from |
| exist as long as sunlight beats down on us. | | | | wind. |
| 2. Wind has been used by man as an energy source | | | | 14. The biggest energy producer from wind is |
| ever since we've sailed boats. | | | | Germany, which is also dominant in solar power |
| 3. The first windmills were used to turn wheels to grind | | | | production. |
| grain in Iran. | | | | For many, these wind findings will be a surprise. The |
| 4. American colonist used windmills to move water, | | | | sole fact that there is enough power produced by |
| grind grain and cut wood. | | | | wind energy to handle a city the size of Chicago is |
| 5. Wind energy harnessed by windmills was a | | | | pretty impressive. As we move into the 21st century, |
| dominant source of energy in rural America in the | | | | new technology is heading in the direction of creating |
| 1920s. | | | | wind energy platforms for individual residences. |
| 6. In modern times, California is the biggest user of | | | | |