Alternative Energy: Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Energy

Offshore windmills also need high-cost transmission lines to the power grids located on the shore side.

Fremont, CA: Apart from fossil fuels, wind energy generation has contributed highly to meeting the energy needs and concerns of people across different geographical locations. They are a cleaner and environmentally friendly mode of energy generation compared to fossil fuels. The kinetic energy of the blowing wind is made used to generate electricity, and the upfront installation costs of the windmills are comparatively higher than the other methods.

Some of the noticeable advantages that are associated with wind energy can be listed as

Renewable mode of energy generation

Wind energy generation outsmarts the other modes of generation as they are highly renewable. Energy demands are rising exponentially and cannot be met alone from fossil fuels as they are nonrenewable and releases component greenhouse gases. The presence of wind corridors along different regions across the globe makes the process highly favorable.

Low emissions

The principle of energy extraction associated with wind is basic, and the technology used is quite simple in nature. Greenhouse gas and carbon emission rates included in energy generation are very low even though the manufacturing of the mighty blades may cause some carbon emissions.

Job prospects

 The growing demand for cleaner and renewable modes of energy introduces a large number of career prospects as they need a surplus amount of workers in installing, handling and maintaining the working of the turbine platforms and mills. Increasing norms and regulations set on the fossil fuel generation modes call for reskilling and shifting careers into the wind energy generation sector.

Operational cost

The technology used in the generation of wind energy is quite basic and accounts for the low-cost operation process. Offshore wind turbines also operate at low costs when compared to fossil fuel plants. Cost savings made out of the generation can be passed on to the customers, making it a cheaper means of energy compared to fossil fuels.

Major disadvantages associated with wind energy generation are

Threat to wildlife

Birds are the major concern regarding the wind energy generation process as they tend to hit the turbines. Innovative designs and scientific research are being carried out to reduce such instances as they damage the working components of the turbine as well.

Inconsistency in energy generation

Blow rates of the wind affect the energy generation associated with the mills. Slow-moving winds tend to reduce the output of the mill and thus account for the inconsistency factor with it. Higher amounts at the higher speed of wind can be generated and stored using added large-scale batteries.

Higher upfront costs

Energy generation and transmission with windmills are cheap, but the initial investment in installing multiple turbines and generator sets is of high cost. Offshore windmills also need high-cost transmission lines to the power grids located on the shore side.