Here are some wind energy web sites to check out:
American Wind Energy Association
Wind – powering a cleaner, stronger America
www.awea.org
Us Department of Energy
Wind energy basics from US Department of Energy
www.eere.energy.gov
Alternative Energy - Wind
The latest wind power news headlines
www.wind-energy.info
Wind power is a wonderful source of renewable energy and is
finally starting to pick up some steam here in the
The name T. Boone Pickens is tied to oil and he has made a fortune investing in it. Well now, he is in winds corner and could bring some much-needed publicity to it. It also certainly does not hurt having a billionaire investing in wind power. We are just starting to dip our toes in this renewable energy but it certainly looks to have a bright future.
The Basics:
Wind energy is the use of the wind as an energy source. A wind energy system transforms the kinetic (moving) energy of the wind into mechanical or electrical energy that can be harnessed for practical use.
Mechanical energy: Wind energy can be harnessed by sails for transportation (sailboats) and other purposes such as grinding grain and pumping water. In the United States, some six million mechanical windmills were in operation in the late 1880s until about 1935, helping homesteaders and farmers to settle the West. Mechanical wind energy is most commonly used today for pumping water in rural or remote locations.
Electrical energy: Harnessing the wind for electricity generation is the most widespread use of wind energy today. Wind turbines, activated by the wind, generate electricity for homes, businesses, and for sale to utilities. In the U.S., use of wind for electricity generation by utilities is limited but growing. In 2002, less than 1% of U.S. electricity supply came from wind power. Some European countries get a larger share of their electricity from the wind (Denmark gets 20% of its total electricity supply from wind power, Germany 5%).
Via - Wind Energy Teachers Guide
Here is some current news on wind energy: