The Benefits of Wind Energy

As the economy tightens its grips around our bankWind energy has actually been used in many societies
account so does the need to find alternativeand civilizations since ancient times up until the era of
methods to save money. One sure method, is utilitythe Industrial Revolution when the main power
bills. Rising fuel prices, embargoes, shareholders greedsource was then switched over to oil. At the time, oil
all contribute to higher energy bills. The utilitywas thought to be cheaper to obtain and convert
companies have us over a barrel. It doesn't have tointo energy, and the damaging environmental effects
be this way; there are alternatives to higher utilitywere not well known or immediately evident.
prices. Once such method; is making electricity fromHowever, the ill effects on the environment are now
wind.well documented and cannot be ignored. Coal, gas
Wind energy is created from converting wind intoand oil prices have also now skyrocketed. This along
electricity so that it can be used as a power source.with newer technology now makes wind energy the
Solar energy (energy coming directly from the sun)cheapest and most economical way to create
creates different temperatures, pressures andelectricity and energy. It also stabilizes energy prices
densities within the air. This in turn creates wind andin a way not possible with the use of other sources
air masses that can be turned into electrical powersuch as oil.
with the use of wind machines. This is a great sourcePower plants that create energy in other ways using
on self-renewable and abundant energy that willcoal, gas, oil or nuclear power are not only damaging
never run out.to the environment, they also use mass amounts of
The amount of solar energy that reaches the earthwater to produce electricity. The electricity used for
is more than 200 times the amount is needed globallyirrigation and for thermal heat alone use up to 77%
for our energy needs. While not all of this can beof our water supply. The production of wind energy
harnessed, plenty enough can be used to eliminate alldoes require the use of water. This would mean
other more damaging sources of energy. Windenergy could be more easily produced and consumed
energy is not only the cheapest way to now createin drier areas and times of drought and will also
power, it will also conserve large amounts of water,conserve our much-needed water supply for many
prevent climate change and pollution, and will reduceother necessary uses.
many other political and social problems created fromThe use of wind energy also contributes to the
the importing and exporting of oil and gas around thesecurity of our nation and will help stabilize the global
globe.political environment as a whole. The United States
Wind power has little to no damaging affect on theimports more gas and oil from other areas of the
environment in the way that other energy sourcesworld than any other nation on the planet. Most of
do, such as coal, gas, oil and nuclear generatedthese sources come from some of the most
power. Mass use of wind energy has the potential totroubled areas in the world. This creates a large
greatly reduce and even eliminate global warming andamount of political and social repercussions, as the
climate change and their affects on the world aroundU.S. must do whatever is needed to secure these
us. It will also greatly reduce troublesome pollution insources of gas and oil to fulfill our country's energy
many other forms such as acid rain, smog and haze,needs. The implications of this are tremendous and
and the high mercury contamination within our watercan be completely avoided with the use of wind
supply.power that can easily be generated locally.