Global Wind Day is annually celebrated on 15 June worldwide. It is organized
by EWEA (European Wind Energy Association) and GWEC (Global Wind
Energy Council). The purpose of this event is to discover wind energy
and its power, possibilities of growth, it gives a chance to brainstorm ideas
about how to reshape our existing energy systems, how to decarbonize our
economies and to promote new job opportunities. The event also includes visit
to wind farms, information campaigns, demonstration turbines being set up in
cities, wind workshops and a wind parade.
What is Wind Energy?
“Energy can be neither created nor destroyed,
although it can be changed from one form into another.” - Newton’s Law of Conservation of Energy
Exactly
like this,
“Wind 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,
- Wind pumps for water pumping or drainage,
- Sails to propel ships.
The electricity is generated when
the wind passes through the blades of turbine. The wind’s kinetic energy is
then captured by the blades through rotation and is converted into mechanical
power. The blade’s rotation causes the internal shaft, which is connected to
the gearbox, to turn 100 times quicker, producing electricity.
The Wind Energy is generated by onshore & offshore
wind, where turbines are installed. Onshore wind farms can
be located on land while offshore ones are installed in large
water bodies.
Why Wind?
Wind is
natural and in abundance. In comparison with fossil fuel energy, Wind Energy
is cheaper, renewable, clean, produces no harmful gas emission, widely
distributed while uses small area of land. Wind energy is now one of the most
competitive energy sources in global market. For sustainable future Wind
turbines have continued to become bigger, cheaper, better and more
efficient.
In US, Wind
Power accounts for about 8% of domestic energy. A Wind Turbine can generate
up to 6million kWh of electricity per year, depending on environmental
conditions and the size of turbine.
According
to the report of GWEC below stats shows the installation of new wind power in
2020.
The Future Is In The Wind
Wind power, along with solar energy, would lead the way for the transformation of the global
electricity sector. By 2050 about one-third (35%) of the total electricity
needs will be full-filled by Wind Energy that is generated by onshore and offshore Wind Turbines.
If that happens, more than a quarter of total emissions nearly 6.3gigatonnes of
CO2 cuts by 2050 each year, that is surely a radical reduction of CO2 emission.
Researchers
are continuously working to ameliorate turbine technology, such as extra efficient
generators and more reliable blades to minimize energy and manufacturing costs
and also by reshaping blade’s design and configuration to enhance robustness
and rotational speed.
Followings are some currently developing Wind Energy Projects around the world:
- Pakistan will install eight wind farms at the end of 2030 to generate enough electricity to cover the annual needs of up to 600,000 local households.
- Saudi Arabia NEOM- The Line; will use abundant renewable energy for a sustainable future
- US started 5 new wind energy projects in 2021.
- Philippines 1st offshore wind farm.
About the Author: Farheen Tariq is a Software Engineer and
highly concerned about climate change and the earth's devastation from plastic.
She has started a group on Facebook "Earth Savers" putting all her
efforts to spread awareness and to build a community that works for the
betterment of Earth.
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