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10 Benefits of Wind Energy (They May Not Be What You Think)

10 Benefits of Wind Energy (They May Not Be What You Think)

When I was recently considering the potential of using wind energy as a worldwide source of electricity, I thought about some of the benefits that could come with this change. So, I did some reading and came up with a comprehensive list of 10 benefits of wind energy. 

What are the benefits of wind energy? Wind energy is a clean and renewable source of energy that will never run out as long as the earth is spinning. It is beneficial to the environment and can potentially reverse the years of damage from unnatural energy. Along with its environmental benefits, the wind energy business is an extremely cost-efficient and profitable industry. 

Many people are reluctant to acknowledge how the use of wind energy as a primary source of electricity can benefit the environment and economy. However, they would be surprised to know the positive effects that would come from replacing traditional electricity with wind energy instead. 

Related: How Much Money Does A Wind Turbine Make In A Year?

Wind is a Clean and Renewable Source of Energy

Since wind is a natural process that comes directly from the earth, it is a clean source that causes virtually no damage to the environment. Contrary to the effects of power plants that use non-renewable sources like fossil fuels and coal, wind energy does not release pollution into the atmosphere.

The use of wind energy can significantly limit exposure to harmful chemicals and cases of sickness and premature death that come from inhaling toxic fumes. 

Wind Turbines Use Minimal Space

Wind turbines are tall vertical structures that stand upright on their own and extend upward toward the sky. As a result, they use much less space than the traditional power plant does and do not require any kind of drilling into the earth that can cause pollution to the air around them.

Multiple wind turbines can be placed in the same area right next to each other and function normally. Wind farms do not require a lot of land, so turbines can be added to existing farms without interfering with any daily operations. 

Wind Energy is a Free Resource

There is no way to control or regulate the air that blows through the earth’s atmosphere. It can be freely used anywhere in the world by absolutely anyone because it is impossible for it to be acquired or owned by any single person. Additionally, the earth’s wind resources will never run out, so they can be used forever. You can learn more about this here.  

Wind Energy is a Long-Term and Sustainable Option

Due to the fact that wind will never cease to exist, humans can always depend on it to provide electricity when other resources are scarce. There are also ways that wind turbines can store excess energy to be used on the days that wind is scarce or when more energy than usual is needed.

This process is known as Compressed Air Storage and allows excess wind to be put away into caverns or tanks for later use. 

Wind Can Provide Electricity to Everyone 

For people who live in rural areas or in secluded places like in the mountains, they usually run into issues with having access to electricity. Traditional electricity forms normally do not reach all the way across to these locations from the more populated areas.

However, since wind turbines are commonly placed in these areas, they can provide electricity to everyone no matter where they live. 

Wind Energy Consumes a Minimal Amount of Water 

Another environmental benefit that comes with using wind energy is the minimal amount of water that is used to produce it. Wind farms and turbines do not require large amounts of water to convert wind energy into electricity.

As a result, water waste is cut down on a large scale and the environmental footprint of energy distribution is greatly decreased. In fact, wind energy saves billions of gallons of water annually in comparison to power plants. 

The Wind Energy Industry Creates Jobs 

Not only is wind energy beneficial to the earth, but there are also economical benefits that come with this renewable source. The wind energy industry is growing exponentially at a rate of nearly 100 percent each year. This growth rate is expected to continue until the year 2026.

There is currently an extremely high demand for wind turbine technicians that are needed to install and maintain the machines due to the recent growth of the industry. 

Wind Energy is a Profitable Business Venture 

There are many ways to get involved in the wind energy business. Investors can obtain stakes in existing wind farms or choose to create their own to maximize profits. The upfront investment to purchase land and wind turbines can help you establish a steady stream of revenue for the remainder of their 20-year life spans.

Additionally, the time period for return on investment for a wind turbine is approximately one year or less from the time of purchase. 

Wind Energy Has Low and Predictable Costs

The wind has the ability to supply more electricity for a significantly lower cost than alternative methods. The cost to use power from wind energy is several cents less on average than non-renewable resources per kilowatt hour of electricity.

Consumers purchase wind energy up front through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) that guarantees a predictable payment schedule with no unexpected fees on top. Also, there is no need to replenish the resources needed to create wind energy, because the earth does that on its own.

There are new wind turbine technology and upgrades that are constantly being developed to help create more wind energy with less money. 

The Consistent Growth and Potential for Wind Energy 

On top of all the benefits wind energy gives to people and the environment, there is consistent growth and potential for the industry in the years to come. Currently, wind energy only accounts for about 5 percent of the world’s electricity source.

However, these statistics are continuously growing as time goes on. In fact, the wind has the potential to produce approximately 20 times more energy than the needs of the entire world.  Humans can do anything with wind energy that can be done with other sources of power, so the possibilities are endless of what can be achieved going forward. 

The Potential Negatives of Switching to Wind Energy

After reading through a list of wind energy benefits, you must be wondering if there are any downsides to the process of creating electricity from a natural and renewable resource. Although it is true that there are some negative aspects that come with using wind energy, they are very minimal and do not outweigh the positives.

Since the wind is not easily predicted and there will be some days out of the year where wind turbines sit idle due to lack of wind, average yearly performance rates can be added to the list of cons. Additionally, the purchase of wind turbines and cost to set them up can be viewed as a very expensive investment.

However, it is an investment that can prove to be very rewarding over time for those who are willing to make the financial sacrifice.

In conclusion, wind energy has the potential to help the earth more than it will hurt it. The majority of people are unaware that wind is such a sustainable resource that can be constantly used and depended on without the risk of depletion. 

Related Questions

How Does Wind Energy Work?

Wind energy is created by wind turbines that take in the wind’s kinetic energy and turn it into usable electricity. Although they might look like simple structures form the outside, there are multiple components within wind turbines that all work together to complete this process. 

What Are The Expenses and Profits that come with Investing in Wind Energy?

The initial investment in wind energy consists of purchasing the wind turbines and the land for them to go on. Luckily, wind turbines do not require a lot of space and a wind farm can thrive in a relatively small area. The average wind turbines can cost anywhere from $40,000 to about $65,000 including delivery and installation.

The average wind turbine can generate a revenue of about three to eight thousand dollars monthly for the owner. On top of that, the return on investment is relatively quick for this specific industry so it does not take long to begin seeing a positive cash flow if you are willing to be patient.

How Long Can Wind Energy Last?

As mentioned before, the wind itself will last infinitely. However, there are some minor limitations that should be considered for the best results. The wind can never be completely soaked up by wind turbines and depleted, but if there are too many in one location they can slow down the wind’s momentum and limit the intake of energy that other nearby turbines have access to.

Learn More

If you’re serious about learning more about wind energy, I recommend the Wind Energy Handbook on Amazon. This book is great for both students and professionals, and it holds invaluable information on the subject of wind power.