Wind
Although producing energy from the wind very promising due to its abundance, long life, low cost, and cleanliness, much of the world's potential for wind energy continues to stay untapped. To produce energy, wind turbines are used, interconnected in arrays on wind farms. Once dominated by the United States, Europe now leads the wind power industry with the help of strong government subsidies. With little disadvantages, this clean energy source is a rapidly growing business. Just capturing 20% of the wing energy at the world's best energy sites could meet all the world's energy needs.
ADVANTAGES |
DISADVANTAGES |
Low electricity cost, and falling (economic) |
High land use for wind farm (environmental) |
Very low environmental impact (environmental) |
Visual pollution (environmental) |
No CO2 emissions (environmental) |
Noise when located near populated areas (societal) |
Land below turbines can be used to grow crops or graze livestock (economic) |
May interfere in flights of migratory birds and kill birds of prey (environmental) |
Moderate capital cost (economic) |
Backup systems needed when winds are low (economic) |