WIND ENERGY

A.CHETHANVI CLASS307-0227WIND ENERGY1WIND POWERWind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electrical power, windmills for mechanical power, windpumps for water pumping or drainage, or sails to propel ships.

WIND ENERGY-31. The wind is free and with modern technology it can be captured efficiently.2. Once the wind turbine is built the energy it produces does not cause green house gases or other pollutants.3. Although wind turbines can be very tall each takes up only a small plot of land. This means that the land below can still be used. This is especially the case in agricultural areas as farming can still continue.

Wind power capacity and production

Main article: Wind power by countryWorldwide wind generation up to 2010Worldwide there are now over two hundred thousand wind turbines operating, with a total nameplate capacity of 282,482MW as of end 2012.The European Union alone passed some 100,000 MW nameplate capacity in September 2012, while the United States surpassed 50,000 MW in August 2012 and China's grid connected capacity passed 50,000 MW the same month.

SMALL-SCALE WIND POWERSmall-scale wind power is the name given to wind generation systems with the capacity to produce up to 50kW of electrical power. Isolated communities, that may otherwise rely on diesel generators, may use wind turbines as an alternative. Individuals may purchase these systems to reduce or eliminate their dependence on grid electricity for economic reasons, or to reduce their carbon footprint.