 By Sarah Lozanova, Wind Power Copywriter
Wind Turbine Magazine As the world transitions to renewable energy sources to decarbonize the power grid, wind energy is one of the fastest-growing sources of new generation. Wind energy capacity has grown by 14% annually from 2010 to 2020. Now that wind turbines dot many landscapes, many people wonder about the pros and cons of wind power. Wind power is praised for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, boosting energy security, creating jobs, and producing low-cost power, but it also has some drawbacks. Wind turbines are known to kill birds, can produce noise, and wind turbine blades are difficult to recycle. What are the advantages of wind turbines? With such rampant growth in the industry, there are clear advantages to using wind turbines to power the electrical grid. Let’s explore what is making wind energy so popular across much of the globe. Advantage: Wind Turbines Use a Clean Fuel Source Unlike fossil fuel-fired power plants, wind energy turbines do not consume finite fuel resources. As a result, wind energy is an abundant source of clean energy that does not pollute or produce greenhouse gas emissions. As the world transitions to a low-carbon economy, wind power, solar energy, and other renewable energy sources are critical for mitigating the climate crisis. Although it is necessary to mine for the materials in wind turbines, they need no ongoing fuel source. By contrast, fossil fuel-fired power plants need a constant supply of fuel to generate steam and produce electricity. Extracting and burning this fuel produces greenhouse gas emissions, which are harmful for the environment. Also, fossil fuel-fired power plants consume large quantities of water for cooling and producing steam. Advantage: Renewable Energy is Domestically Sourced Energy insecurity can impact a country’s governing strategies and policies. Likewise, energy insecurity can cause energy prices to spike due to short supply, disrupting the economy and disproportionately hurting the lower and middle classes. However, governments can increase their energy security by using a diverse array of fuel sources and increasing domestic energy production. Read More on Wind Turbine Magazine... |