The power of the Wind

Well what a couple of rainy, windy days we have had here in good old WA.  

I love this weather - many people think i'm mad... I seem to be saying that a lot lol :/  Anyhow, got me thinking about Wind power as a renewable energy source, I mean, where in the world don't we get wind.

Wind power, like solar power, has evolved over a long period of time, beginning with early Chinese and Persian civilizations.  Wind energy was one of the first non-animal sources of energy to be exploited by these early civilizations as it propelled ships around the world and it was use to drive windmills in order to grind grain and to pump water. The verity of machines that has been devised or proposed to harness wind energy is considerable.  Modern Wind turbines come in two basic configurations: Horizontal axis and vertical axis turbines. Horizontal and vertical wind turbines both make use of the aerodynamic forces generated by aerofoils in order to extract power from the wind, but each harness these forces in a different way, vertical-axis wind turbines have an advantage over horizontal wind turbines as they do not have to shift with changes in wind direction which reduces maintenance and tower costs.  The majority of modern wind turbines are generated by electricity and range from small to large wind turbines.  The performance of these two sized wind turbines differ as the small has a much lower power density of a few hundred watts because of the limited wind potential in the sites, in comparison to the large wind turbines that are situated in Wind farms that can create large amounts of energy of 1 MW.

 So where is it currently being used in Australia and what are its future prospects for its use?

The climate is changing. The majority of climate scientists from around the world confirm greenhouse gases in our atmosphere have been increasing since the industrial revolution, prompting a wide range of climate shifts that have the potential to threaten our environment and our way of life if greenhouse gas levels continue to rise.  Australia is particularly vulnerable to climate change. Our environmental, social and economic security is at risk unless we play our part in the global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Electricity generation in Australia is responsible for more than a third of our greenhouse gas emissions. Eighty per cent of Australia’s electricity currently comes from coal. Therefore, any attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions must focus on the energy sector and support the transition to clean, less polluting technologies.

Fortunately, Australia has some of the world’s best clean energy sources, many of which are already powering Australian homes and businesses.  One of my previous blogs about Fremantle putting solar on the town hall is a prime example of governments taking action on renewable energy practices.  Making full use of our abundant clean energy resources - like wind, solar, hydro, wave and geothermal has the potential to meet Australia's growing energy needs as well as create new job opportunities and export markets.  A clean energy economy will create new opportunities, jobs and provide other social, economic and environmental benefits to both current and future Australian generations.

Australia has some of the best wind resources in the world.  Wind energy is currently the most cost-effective renewable energy resource in Australia.

It involves the generation of electricity from the naturally occurring power of the wind.  Wind turbines capture wind energy within the area their blades pass through. The blades in turn drive an electrical generator to produce power for export to the electricity grid.

Unlike conventional sources of electricity generation, like coal, no water is required for wind farm operation and no greenhouse gases are produced.  A single wind turbine can produce enough energy to supply up to 2,000 average households each year and save around 1 tonne of greenhouse gas for every megawatt produced.  Sites where there is strong, consistent wind are the most appropriate locations for wind farms.  Fremantle is yet again trying to pursue renewable energy and hoping to install wind turbines in the very near future and very much demonstrating a very active role in become sustainability leaders.  

Onward and Upward!