| Wind farms need to cover a lot of physical space to | | | | long distances that has an engine that receives it's fuel |
| produce large amounts of electricity. In many | | | | only in irregular minute bursts and that only when the |
| industrialized countries, space is at a premium. They do | | | | wind blows accidentally with the right velocity. |
| not produce gases or other by products like other | | | | Though wind power is non-polluting, the turbines may |
| generators do, that poison the environment and | | | | create a lot of noise, which indirectly contributes to |
| anybody that happens to be nearby. There are | | | | noise pollution. This may be caused by the swirling of |
| enough pollutants in todays society, so choosing a wind | | | | the sound or because at night it does not decrease in |
| powered generator is an environmentally sound choice. | | | | strength which is usually the case for traffic noise. Also |
| Another problem with production is the amount of | | | | in this study more disturbance of sleep occurs at the |
| energy produced. | | | | highest sound levels that occurred in this study. This is |
| Nevertheless, the United States currently produces | | | | fine if you live miles away, but when you stay within a |
| less than 1% of our electricity from wind. The | | | | few hundred meters of a turbine, noise pollution is a |
| advantages and disadvantages of wind energy are | | | | serious concern. There are also lobby groups who |
| detailed here to help you decide what the future of | | | | protest that wind turbines spoil the lushness of beautiful |
| wind should be in the United States. Eighty percent of | | | | landscape and scenery. These are some examples of |
| the total cost for wind production is in the machinery. In | | | | the solar disadvantages. |
| order to make wind power an economical choice, | | | | Several electrical utilities in the last couple of years |
| some form of subsidy or tax breaks are required. | | | | have made the option of wind power available to it's |
| They have good efficiency, but produce a large ripple | | | | customers. They are able to purchase blocks of |
| and cyclic stress on the tower, which contributes to | | | | electricity generated by the turbines for a very small |
| poor reliability. Also, they generally require some | | | | charge. Knowing the basics can help you achieve |
| external power source, or an additional rotor, to start | | | | significant savings on your electricity bill and enable you |
| turning, because the starting torque is very low. When | | | | to spend more on home insurance premiums and |
| the winds are right, we smell the by products of the | | | | other safety innovations. Although you will have to pay |
| nearby pulp mills. Some would say it is pollution; some | | | | for the initial cost of the wind turbine but it will be paid |
| would say it is money for the economy. Compare this | | | | back in a few years with lower electricity bills. |
| with a big truck meant for transporting freight over | | | | |