Wing Energy: Pros and Cons

Wing Energy: Pros and Cons

“In 2015, 4 percent of the world’s electricity was generated by wind power technology but some countries had individual percentages reaching as high as 42 percent” (Friedman Para. 6). This technology produces power by harnessing naturally-occurring airflow to create energy. This paper argues that wind power has more pros than cons when it comes to cost reduction and the protection of the environment.

One of the benefits of wind power is that it is a cost-effective source of electricity. To begin with, the wind turbines can continue producing energy many years after being constructed. At the same time, the land in which wind turbines are constructed on can be used for other purposes (Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy). For instance, wind turbines can be constructed in already existing ranches. On this note, wind energy can be a source of income for people in rural areas (Friedman). For instance, landowners and farmers in rural areas can earn a stable source of income by allowing wind turbines to be constructed on their properties.

In addition to being cost-effective, wind energy is friendly to the environment. On this note, wind energy does not release pollutants such as those produced by other sources of electricity that rely on fossil fuels, such as natural gas and coal (Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy). Wind turbines do not produce atmospheric emissions that cause greenhouse gases, smog, or acid rain. Only the manufacturing and installation of turbines release greenhouse gases. The Renewable Resources Coalition argues that the harmful effects of the manufacturing and installation of turbines on the environment are reversed within nine months of supply of clean energy. As such, wind energy has long term positive implications on the environment.

At the same time, wind energy is a domestic source of electricity. For instance, wind power is the major source of renewable power in the United States (Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy). Many countries depend on energy produced in other countries. This may result in a country suffering economic recession in case the foreign nation it is relying on to supply it with energy is going through political or civil turmoil.

On the other hand, wind energy may not be economically competitive. To begin with, wind farms are located in rural areas where the demand for energy is limited (Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy). As such, power lines must be constructed in order to take the electricity from the wind farms to the city (Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy). However, transmission lines that are already used to carry electricity produced from other sources can be used to transport wind energy from the rural areas to the cities. The Renewable Resources Coalition asserts that it takes 10-20 years before wind farms can break evens. Thus, wind energy has high upfront costs.

Also, wind energy does not have a positive aesthetic appeal. The Renewable Resources Coalition argues that people have differing opinions regarding the aesthetic appeal of wind turbines. When used for the generation of power for individual homeowners, wind turbines may negatively affect the outward appearances of their properties. However, wind farms seek to address this challenge. Wind farms ensure that homeowners can enjoy cheap and environment-friendly energy without having turbines in their land.

At the same time, turbines used to produce wind energy might cause noise. On this note, wind power plants have a relatively low impact on the environment in comparison to other energy sources. However, the turbine blades produce massive noise (Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy). In addition to causing noise, wind energy may have negative effects on the environment. The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy assets that many birds have been killed when they fly into the spinning blades of the wind turbines. As such, wind turbines are a threat to the welfare of wild birds.

In conclusion, wind energy is one of the renewable sources of power that many countries are turning to in a bid to tame the effects of climate change. Wind power has many benefits and detriments. However, this paper has established that the pros of wind power outweigh any negative effects associated with this source of energy. This is because the major pros of wind energy can be reduced or mitigated, for instance, through wind turbines being located in the remote part of the country where the noise they produce may not have any significant effect on people.