Wind Energy 101 From Your Provider
Wind Energy Education Starts Here
You’ve likely seen those big, white, spinning wind turbines along the horizon when driving down the road. Have you ever wondered just how those work? How does that giant fan create enough electricity to power your home and office? Well, your wind energy provider thinks it’s important to understand how this process works, so read on for an easy breakdown of this renewable energy!
Wind Energy – What Is It?
Wind energy is simply the energy created by a wind turbine. They shouldn’t be confused with windmills because while both turbines and windmills spin, windmills actually pump water from the ground – they don’t convert the energy from the wind into electricity like a wind turbine does!
How Turbines Work
As the wind blows, the blades of the turbine spin. This, in turn, spins generators inside the turbine in order to convert the wind into electricity. That electricity then is sent to a transformer that increases the voltage and transmits it to a distribution line. The local transformers then reduce the voltage so that it can be utilized by homes and businesses. Easy!
Why Are Turbines So Tall?
Wind turbines have to be tall because of the simple fact that the higher you go, the higher the wind. Tall turbines are spun faster by the wind at higher altitudes, producing more energy for everyone along the way! It’s simply the most efficient design.
Why Are Some Wind Turbines Larger Than Others
You’ve probably noticed that some wind turbines are quite large – the biggest is taller than the Statue of Liberty! This is due to the fact that the larger the turbine, the more electricity it can produce.
Is There Enough Wind Where You Live?
This is a hot topic in the world of wind energy providers! The truth of the matter is that every place in the United States has a huge potential for wind energy. The average wind speed in most states can make a turbine an effective means of generating electricity. The trick is finding the space to install wind turbines, which is more abundant in some places than others. Right now, the states taking the most advantage of wind energy are Minnesota, Illinois, California, Iowa, and Texas.
Are Wind Turbines Loud?
In general, the closer you are to a wind turbine, the louder it will be. If you were to stand directly below one, it would be a little bit louder than your vacuum cleaner at home. At about 100 meters away, it would be about as loud as your microwave. At 300 meters, it would be no louder than the sound generated by your refrigerator. You don’t really have to worry because wind turbines aren’t closer than 300 meters from residential areas.
Get A Quote
Want to discover how wind energy can be put to work in your life? Contact your wind energy provider, Star Energy Partners, for a quote. They can help you to understand all the ways wind energy can make your life easier, your energy cleaner, and your costs cheaper!
