Wind Power Argumentative Essay
Many scientists today predict that global warming will eventually end the human race. The main cause of global warming is the CO2 emissions given off from non-renewable energy (fossil fuel, coal, etc). Non-renewable energy runs anything from cars to generators. Even though this problem may not affect this generation or the next, this issue needs to be looked upon and all options need to be considered. A solution needs to be found that can meet the huge demand for power, as well as, being a clean energy source that will limit global warming, thus prolonging life on earth for the human race. A possible solution has been found that does not emit any CO2 and has the capability to be able to meet the demand. This possible solution is wind energy.
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A completely nature based energy which can be harnessed through the movement of turbines creating electricity that can be used as power. This could be the breakthrough mankind has been looking for and what could ultimately save the earth. The biggest question remains, can wind energy meet demand? If it is studied more and made more efficient all sources point to a resounding yes. Wind energy is a growing source of hope that can possibly save mankind because of its cleanliness and potential. Wind energy can and will, if pursued, save the earth from the negative effects of non-renewable energy.
The opposing viewpoints are that scientists look at wind power with extreme optimism, wind energy is too expensive, it is unreasonable to think that wind power could run all of society, and even that the turbines themselves are not worth it because they are an eyesore to the public. In Robert Lyman’s article “Why Renewable Energy Cannot Replace Fossil Fuels by 2050” he states “renewable energy plant costs are still multiples of what natural gas plants would cost” and that scientists “extraordinary optimism extends throughout the phases of the science to technology spectrum” (Lyman). These points may be true, but a common ideology in economics is one has to spend money to make money. In this case governments around the world spending money to better the planet for the future does not seem like a bad investment. Also why would scientists not be optimistic about the possibility of a world run on wind? With the help of funds and technological advancement this dream could become reality. Another point made, by Gail Tyerberg in her article “The “Wind and Solar Will Save Us” Delusion”, is that “our big need for energy is in the winter, when the sun doesn’t shine as much, and we can’t count on the wind blowing” (Tyerberg). This viewpoint, in particular, is a very narrow minded way of thinking of things. Yes the biggest demands of energy do come during the winter, but the wind does not stop blowing. Also technology today is making it possible for wind turbines to be set up offshore so that wind energy can be obtained at a great amount all year round. The last gripe with wind energy is the look of its turbines. Many including the former Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott, have not been sold on wind power because of something as silly as looks. The Prime Minister is quoted as saying “Up close, they're ugly, they're noisy and they may have all sorts of other impacts”, when he was asked about his thoughts on the turbines (Glenday). To be more concerned with the looks of the turbines instead of the possibilities that they provide is just hanus. People like this, that are more concerned with
the look of wind energy, are just looking for ways to put down wind energy. Looks should not factor into the equation at all when it comes to trying to save the earth. All of these common viewpoints obviously side with the thinking that “if it is not broken then do not fix it”, meaning that nonrenewable energy is just fine, but there is a problem, that needs to be solved. With the betterment and expansion of wind energy a planet run on all renewable energy is a possibility. Wind energy is talked about a lot in today’s world and rightfully so. Even though it is talked about, many do not understand the basics of how wind energy works. “Simply stated, a wind turbine works the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, like a fan, wind turbines use wind to make electricity” (How Do Wind Turbines Work?). This electricity is then routed and stored in a generator that connects to a landline which can be route the stored electricity to things like houses and schools. It is quite simple. Many of the first wind turbines have been underwhelming, but today scientists and engineers are finding all sorts of ways to improve the old model. These improvements will have a big effect on the growth of wind energy and the effectiveness of it.
The advances that are being implemented into the new models of wind turbines are helping provide more energy during all of the times of the year. Most of these solutions have come from the trials and errors of wind energy. For example, scientists and engineers did not know that bigger and heavier blades on a turbine could lead to more power generated, until they tried it. Today turbine blades are getting bigger and bigger producing more and more energy. In fact, the old units have been put out of commission and replaced with bigger more modern ones. A study done annually since 2005 has shown that the average rotor diameter of the turbine has gone up from 73 meters in 2005 to 102 meters
in 2015 which, Robert Evatt states in his article “Wind Power: Thinking BIG! (Cover Story)” is “large enough to sweep an area 50 percent larger than a football field”. Many scientists conclude that this average diameter will only increase providing more power (Evatt). With this new breakthrough scientists have the chance to can a design that can provide the most energy and could possibly supply the world with all wind energy. Not only does size matter, weight is also a key component to maximizing the amount of energy given off by one turbine. When the blades are heavier they will end up spinning more, thus generating more power with less wind than they would have needed to produce an equal amount. Juan Alemany writes in his academic journal, “Multiobjective Optimization Model for Wind Power Allocation”, that “by varying the weights, it is possible to obtain different efficient solutions”. With more efficient turbines wind power can play a bigger role in society (Alemany). These basic designs for the turbines come with experience. The more research that is done on wind energy will only help it to become the leading source of energy in the world. With even more experience scientists can find even more breakthroughs that can lead the world a step closer to an all wind powered society.
Another one of these breakthroughs that scientists have discovered (by again trial and error) is that placement on the wind turbines is critical to the amount of energy that a turbine can produce. Obviously, wind is not something that a man or group of people can make, so when trying to set up wind farms (a large collection of wind turbines in a certain area) location has to be a main point that goes into the thinking. Location can be the difference between a very successful and productive wind farm and a waste of money (Alemany). One of the windiest places on earth is almost entirely flat and inhabited by humans. This of course would be the ocean. The ocean has opened up big possibilities for wind energy. The sky is the limit when it comes to being able to put wind turbines in the ocean. The ocean compared to land has a much more consistent wind flow that provides even more power than thought possible at the time wind energy made its way onto the scene. Making the location of major wind farms offshore will increase the amount of energy produced. This was never originally thought of as an option until about twenty years ago and has been a huge part in the development in wind energy.
The reliability of wind power has come into question as well, but as time has progress wind energy has become a viable option to support tens of thousands of homes.
The first of these offshore American wind farms is located off the shore of Rhode Island and is proving to be a very valuable resource in the northeastern region. This wind farm, known as Block Island Wind Farm, has been producing at a high rate throughout the years. With an offshore wind average of 21.4 mph, it makes this an optimal place to have a wind farm. This wind farm has set records by producing 216,000 kilowatt hours of electricity in 24 hours. This can run around 7,300 average American homes daily (Ferber). This may not sound like a lot, but this only one wind farm. If more wind farms are set up in optimal positions they can provide more homes with power. Another example of this is the Danish island Samso. The homes on this island, of about 4,000 people, is run entirely on wind energy. With wind turbines set up all around the island Samso is able to get power to the all of its people (Papazu). This may be a very small scale operation, but with time and the development of technology it is clearly possible that a society can sustain itself on wind energy. Another study done over the year 2015 shows that wind energy produced 82,183 megawatts. This is enough to supply 24 million American homes with energy. This number has grown steadily since 2002, in the US. The amount of megawatts produced from wind energy was well under twenty thousand at that point. (Cardwell). This number has been increased almost ten times the original number in 2002. These, numbers given by the Energy Information Administration, display that with an expansion of wind energy a good chunk of America can be run on wind power. This is
another
check mark when comes to the capability of wind power. Reliability is becoming less and less of an issue when it comes to wind power. It is quite amazing to think that wind energy, once thought of as a non-capable energy, could end up being able to power millions of homes around the world. The final and least talked about point when it comes to wind energy is its effect on the economy. Wind energy has been able to provide thousands of out of work people with jobs. As said by Jim Lanard, Co-Founder and CEO of Magellan wind in Mary B. Powers and Debra K. Rubin’s article “Steel in the Water”, “Offshore wind now is not just green power but a new industry for infrastructure and jobs” (Powers and Rubin). Along with this another added benefit is the reduction of power cost. Another knock on wind energy is that it is too expensive to set up all of these turbines. This was true, but because wind energy is getting researched more and more engineers have been able to make better and cheaper parts for the wind turbines. This will not only cut costs of the production of turbines, but it will also cut the cost of electricity bills (Ferber). Both of these positive results are not looked upon often when it comes to wind energy. These benefits just add to the seemingly endless list of benefits provided by wind energy. In the end, wind energy is a growing and valuable resource that could end up saving the world. What was once written off as a joke is now a major player in the energy market. Along with, providing jobs for people and cutting the cost of power bills, wind energy is making the world greener. Oppositions to wind energy sound almost childish when the one sees the big picture. Wind energy is a reliable source of power that, if it stays on the pace that it is growing, can power hundreds of millions of people with power every single day.
A completely nature based energy which can be harnessed through the movement of turbines creating electricity that can be used as power. This could be the breakthrough mankind has been looking for and what could ultimately save the earth. The biggest question remains, can wind energy meet demand? If it is studied more and made more efficient all sources point to a resounding yes. Wind energy is a growing source of hope that can possibly save mankind because of its cleanliness and potential. Wind energy can and will, if pursued, save the earth from the negative effects of non-renewable energy.
The opposing viewpoints are that scientists look at wind power with extreme optimism, wind energy is too expensive, it is unreasonable to think that wind power could run all of society, and even that the turbines themselves are not worth it because they are an eyesore to the public. In Robert Lyman’s article “Why Renewable Energy Cannot Replace Fossil Fuels by 2050” he states “renewable energy plant costs are still multiples of what natural gas plants would cost” and that scientists “extraordinary optimism extends throughout the phases of the science to technology spectrum” (Lyman). These points may be true, but a common ideology in economics is one has to spend money to make money. In this case governments around the world spending money to better the planet for the future does not seem like a bad investment. Also why would scientists not be optimistic about the possibility of a world run on wind? With the help of funds and technological advancement this dream could become reality. Another point made, by Gail Tyerberg in her article “The “Wind and Solar Will Save Us” Delusion”, is that “our big need for energy is in the winter, when the sun doesn’t shine as much, and we can’t count on the wind blowing” (Tyerberg). This viewpoint, in particular, is a very narrow minded way of thinking of things. Yes the biggest demands of energy do come during the winter, but the wind does not stop blowing. Also technology today is making it possible for wind turbines to be set up offshore so that wind energy can be obtained at a great amount all year round. The last gripe with wind energy is the look of its turbines. Many including the former Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott, have not been sold on wind power because of something as silly as looks. The Prime Minister is quoted as saying “Up close, they're ugly, they're noisy and they may have all sorts of other impacts”, when he was asked about his thoughts on the turbines (Glenday). To be more concerned with the looks of the turbines instead of the possibilities that they provide is just hanus. People like this, that are more concerned with
the look of wind energy, are just looking for ways to put down wind energy. Looks should not factor into the equation at all when it comes to trying to save the earth. All of these common viewpoints obviously side with the thinking that “if it is not broken then do not fix it”, meaning that nonrenewable energy is just fine, but there is a problem, that needs to be solved. With the betterment and expansion of wind energy a planet run on all renewable energy is a possibility. Wind energy is talked about a lot in today’s world and rightfully so. Even though it is talked about, many do not understand the basics of how wind energy works. “Simply stated, a wind turbine works the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, like a fan, wind turbines use wind to make electricity” (How Do Wind Turbines Work?). This electricity is then routed and stored in a generator that connects to a landline which can be route the stored electricity to things like houses and schools. It is quite simple. Many of the first wind turbines have been underwhelming, but today scientists and engineers are finding all sorts of ways to improve the old model. These improvements will have a big effect on the growth of wind energy and the effectiveness of it.
The advances that are being implemented into the new models of wind turbines are helping provide more energy during all of the times of the year. Most of these solutions have come from the trials and errors of wind energy. For example, scientists and engineers did not know that bigger and heavier blades on a turbine could lead to more power generated, until they tried it. Today turbine blades are getting bigger and bigger producing more and more energy. In fact, the old units have been put out of commission and replaced with bigger more modern ones. A study done annually since 2005 has shown that the average rotor diameter of the turbine has gone up from 73 meters in 2005 to 102 meters
in 2015 which, Robert Evatt states in his article “Wind Power: Thinking BIG! (Cover Story)” is “large enough to sweep an area 50 percent larger than a football field”. Many scientists conclude that this average diameter will only increase providing more power (Evatt). With this new breakthrough scientists have the chance to can a design that can provide the most energy and could possibly supply the world with all wind energy. Not only does size matter, weight is also a key component to maximizing the amount of energy given off by one turbine. When the blades are heavier they will end up spinning more, thus generating more power with less wind than they would have needed to produce an equal amount. Juan Alemany writes in his academic journal, “Multiobjective Optimization Model for Wind Power Allocation”, that “by varying the weights, it is possible to obtain different efficient solutions”. With more efficient turbines wind power can play a bigger role in society (Alemany). These basic designs for the turbines come with experience. The more research that is done on wind energy will only help it to become the leading source of energy in the world. With even more experience scientists can find even more breakthroughs that can lead the world a step closer to an all wind powered society.
Another one of these breakthroughs that scientists have discovered (by again trial and error) is that placement on the wind turbines is critical to the amount of energy that a turbine can produce. Obviously, wind is not something that a man or group of people can make, so when trying to set up wind farms (a large collection of wind turbines in a certain area) location has to be a main point that goes into the thinking. Location can be the difference between a very successful and productive wind farm and a waste of money (Alemany). One of the windiest places on earth is almost entirely flat and inhabited by humans. This of course would be the ocean. The ocean has opened up big possibilities for wind energy. The sky is the limit when it comes to being able to put wind turbines in the ocean. The ocean compared to land has a much more consistent wind flow that provides even more power than thought possible at the time wind energy made its way onto the scene. Making the location of major wind farms offshore will increase the amount of energy produced. This was never originally thought of as an option until about twenty years ago and has been a huge part in the development in wind energy.
The reliability of wind power has come into question as well, but as time has progress wind energy has become a viable option to support tens of thousands of homes.
The first of these offshore American wind farms is located off the shore of Rhode Island and is proving to be a very valuable resource in the northeastern region. This wind farm, known as Block Island Wind Farm, has been producing at a high rate throughout the years. With an offshore wind average of 21.4 mph, it makes this an optimal place to have a wind farm. This wind farm has set records by producing 216,000 kilowatt hours of electricity in 24 hours. This can run around 7,300 average American homes daily (Ferber). This may not sound like a lot, but this only one wind farm. If more wind farms are set up in optimal positions they can provide more homes with power. Another example of this is the Danish island Samso. The homes on this island, of about 4,000 people, is run entirely on wind energy. With wind turbines set up all around the island Samso is able to get power to the all of its people (Papazu). This may be a very small scale operation, but with time and the development of technology it is clearly possible that a society can sustain itself on wind energy. Another study done over the year 2015 shows that wind energy produced 82,183 megawatts. This is enough to supply 24 million American homes with energy. This number has grown steadily since 2002, in the US. The amount of megawatts produced from wind energy was well under twenty thousand at that point. (Cardwell). This number has been increased almost ten times the original number in 2002. These, numbers given by the Energy Information Administration, display that with an expansion of wind energy a good chunk of America can be run on wind power. This is
another
check mark when comes to the capability of wind power. Reliability is becoming less and less of an issue when it comes to wind power. It is quite amazing to think that wind energy, once thought of as a non-capable energy, could end up being able to power millions of homes around the world. The final and least talked about point when it comes to wind energy is its effect on the economy. Wind energy has been able to provide thousands of out of work people with jobs. As said by Jim Lanard, Co-Founder and CEO of Magellan wind in Mary B. Powers and Debra K. Rubin’s article “Steel in the Water”, “Offshore wind now is not just green power but a new industry for infrastructure and jobs” (Powers and Rubin). Along with this another added benefit is the reduction of power cost. Another knock on wind energy is that it is too expensive to set up all of these turbines. This was true, but because wind energy is getting researched more and more engineers have been able to make better and cheaper parts for the wind turbines. This will not only cut costs of the production of turbines, but it will also cut the cost of electricity bills (Ferber). Both of these positive results are not looked upon often when it comes to wind energy. These benefits just add to the seemingly endless list of benefits provided by wind energy. In the end, wind energy is a growing and valuable resource that could end up saving the world. What was once written off as a joke is now a major player in the energy market. Along with, providing jobs for people and cutting the cost of power bills, wind energy is making the world greener. Oppositions to wind energy sound almost childish when the one sees the big picture. Wind energy is a reliable source of power that, if it stays on the pace that it is growing, can power hundreds of millions of people with power every single day.