Wind Power
Wind power is the conversion of the air’s kinetic energy into the kinetic energy of a machine called a turbine, which then creates electrical energy. The idea of harnessing the energy in moving air is over 2,000 years old. Back then, the energy was used to do things like turning mills to grind grain.
Wind power is desirable because it creates no waste. However, wind can be inconsistent, or may blow at night, when demand is low. This is less of a problem if the energy is stored in large batteries—although the batteries also increase the cost of the operation. Some people also feel that wind turbines look ugly and destroy the beauty of landscapes.
Wind power is becoming a significant source of electrical energy in places like Spain, Portugal, Denmark and Germany, where it contributes almost one-fifth of the energy total. Wind power is also completely feasible in coastal BC.
How it works
Wind pushes the blades of a turbine. The blades spin, turning gears that turn a generator. The whole turbine can rotate so it always faces the wind.
