Wind Energy Facts

Wind energy facts and FAQS are covered in this section. I’ve attempted to outline the basic wind energy facts concerning wind turbines, wind farms and energy in the U. S. today. Read over the wind energy facts listed and see if you agree that wind is the fastest growing sector of alternative energy in the U. S. now.

You probably already know what the questions are so I’ve presented just the answers in the FAQS section. I hope this doesn’t throw you off too much.

Top 20 Wind Energy Facts

1. The oldest known wind turbines date back to 200 BC in Persia (Iran).
2. The two main types of wind turbines are those with a horizontal axis (more common) and those with a vertical axis (less common).
3. Wind farms are a cluster of turbines used to produce electricity.
4. The United States is the world’s second largest wind energy producer after Germany.
5. To date, no offshore wind projects have been built in the U. S. although there are several projects in development.
6. Five countries currently have offshore wind turbines including Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
7. The top U. S. state for wind energy is Texas followed by California.
8. One megawatt of wind energy produced translates to $1 million in economic development including site planning, building, delivery, assembly and other benefits.
9. It is estimated by the American Wind Energy Association that the use of U. S. wind turbines may reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air by one-third.
10. Wind energy is a form of solar energy caused by the sun’s uneven heating of the Earth’s different surfaces.
11. Over 80-percent of the costs for wind energy is because of construction materials and building.
12. Wind turbines have been used to create electricity for over 100 years.
13. Wind is an intermittent energy source and does not provide power on demand as will fossil fuel power plants.
14. Homeowners by law can sell excess wind energy back to the utility companies.
15. The average household uses around 10,600 kilowatts of electricity per year.
16. One megawatt of wind energy is enough to power 250 to 300 households.
17. Most home wind turbines are rated at 50 kilowatts or less.
18. Wind turbines use the kinetic energy of the wind and turn it into mechanical power or electricity.
19. Most of the older issues with wind turbines such as noise, visual impacts and bird mortality have been resolved.
20. As of 2008, 35 states in the U. S. are producing electricity from wind energy.

These are the top 20 wind energy facts as I see them. Wind energy will help the environment reduce greenhouse gases that produce global warming and supply needed U. S. jobs. And, if you are so inclined you can put up a residential wind turbine and declare your own personal energy independence from the large utility companies.

The upsides of wind energy far outweighs the downsides. And, those are the facts.