Wind Farms as Alternative Energy

WIND FARMS AS ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES

ACCT 401:

Fall 2012

WIND FARMS AS ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES

ABSTRACT

Wind farms are groups of wind turbines that generate power using the wind. They can be found on land or, more recently, off the coastlines. For my research I focused not only on what a wind farm is, but what pros and cons could be found when using a wind farm to supply energy. I discussed the recent push for offshore wind farms. I also researched the costs associated with having a wind farm. Using this information, I concluded with my opinion of whether or not wind farms are a viable alternative energy source for the future.

INTRODUCTION

Wind has been used as an energy source since ancient times. Mainers used wind in their sails to explore the world while farmers used windmills to grind grains and pump water (“Wind Power”). Wind farms are an alternate energy source that is growing in popularity, but not without their detractors. This paper looks to exam not only what wind farms are, but also what benefits and detriments are associated with this alternative energy source.

The remainder of this paper is organized into three sections. The first section begins with an explanation of wind farms, followed by the pros and cons of wind farms. There is a brief examination of offshore wind farms. The second section focuses on the costs of wind farms are then discussed. The final section will conclude with an overall assessment of wind farms.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Explanation of a Wind Farm

Wind energy is a form of solar energy. Wind is created when the sun unevenly heats the Earth’s surface. Hot air rises and when cold air moves in to replace the hot air, the resulting stream of air is called wind. A wind farm is a group of tall, free standing turbines that are placed in a windy area, such as a ridge or several miles from coast lines, where they can generate energy when the wind spins the blades of the turbine. These...