The use of wind energy has been increasing rapidly in recent years. In 2016, an estimated 5.5% of the world’s electricity was generated by wind power, up from just 0.6% in 2000.
There are many reasons for this rapid growth. Wind energy is a clean, renewable source of electricity that does not produce any greenhouse gas emissions. It is also a very cost-effective form of energy, with the cost of wind power falling by more than 90% since the early 1980s.
As the world increasingly looks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, wind energy is expected to play a major role in meeting future energy needs. In fact, according to the International Energy Agency, wind energy could provide up to 20% of the world’s electricity by 2030.
If you’re thinking of switching to wind energy, there are a few things you should know. Here’s a quick overview of wind energy, including how it works, its benefits, and some of the challenges it faces.
How Does Wind Energy Work?
Wind energy is created when the wind blows over a turbine, causing the blades to spin. This spinning motion turns a generator, which produces electricity.
Wind turbines can be used to generate electricity for a single home or business, or they can be part of a larger wind farm that supplies electricity to a community or region.
There are two main types of wind turbines: horizontal-axis and vertical-axis.
Horizontal-axis turbines are the most common type. They have long blades that spin around a horizontal shaft. Vertical-axis turbines have shorter blades that spin around a vertical shaft.
Benefits of Wind Energy
Wind energy has a number of important benefits.
First, it is a clean source of electricity that does not produce any harmful emissions. This is important for protecting the environment and public health.
Second, wind energy is a renewable source of electricity. This means that it will never run out, unlike fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
Third, wind energy is a very cost-effective form of energy. The cost of wind power has fallen by more than 90% since the early 1980s, making it one of the cheapest forms of electricity available.
Fourth, wind energy is a versatile source of electricity. It can be used to power homes, businesses, and even entire communities.
Finally, wind energy is a growing industry. In the United States, the wind energy industry employs more than 100,000 people.
Challenges of Wind Energy
Wind energy is not without its challenges.
First, wind turbines require a lot of space. This can be a problem in areas where land is scarce, such as along the coast.
Second, wind turbines can be a visual pollution. Some people find them unsightly and say they
Other related questions:
Q: What percentage of renewable energy was used in 2016?
A: According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, about 10% of the electricity generated in the United States in 2016 came from renewable sources.
Q: What percent of people use wind energy?
A: The use of wind energy has been growing rapidly in recent years. In the United States, wind energy provided about 6 percent of the electricity generated in 2016, up from less than 1 percent in 2009.
Q: How much wind energy is used per year?
A: Wind energy is used to generate electricity, but the amount of electricity generated from wind varies from year to year. In the United States, wind energy generated about 4% of the electricity in 2018.
Q: How much wind energy is used in the world 2020?
A: There is no definitive answer to this question as the amount of wind energy used around the world varies depending on a number of factors, including the availability of wind resources and the level of development of a country’s wind energy sector. However, according to the World Wind Energy Association, the global installed capacity of wind power was around 597 GW in 2020, and the total wind energy generated globally was around 2,560 TWh.
Bibliography
- U.S. Energy Information Administration – EIA – EIA
- 2016 Wind Technologies Market Report – Department of Energy
- Wind Energy Continues Rapid Growth in 2016
- Most Americans support expanding solar and wind energy …
- US wind power jobs hit record, up 20 percent in 2016 | ACP
- The U.S. wind industry now employs more than 100000 people
- Statistics – World Wind Energy Association