Wind Energy

Wind Energy

1. How it works

   • Turbines turned by wind, this turns a generator

2. Advantages

   • Low running costs
   • No waste or pollution produced
   • Smallest carbon footprint of any renewable

3. Disadvantages

   • No proof to support consequential CO2 reduction
   • Unreliable - no wind=no power
   • Depends on energy from fossil fuels for construction
   • Expensive to build

4. Examples

   • In UK 5,276 wind turbines (on and offshore)
   • 31 wind farms under construction in UK
   • Barrow offshore wind farm (E. Irish Sea) is the largest

5. Location Factors

   • Constant supply of wind
     • Hills
     • Coasts
   • Large space
   • Planning permission
     • Local dispute