Wind energy is the fastest-growing
energy source in the world due to the many advantages that it offers. Continuous
research efforts are being made even further to increase the use of wind energy.
Advantages of a Wind Energy Conversion
System
a. It is one of the lowest-cost renewable
energy technologies that exist today.
b. It is available as a domestic source of
energy in many countries worldwide and not restricted to only a few countries,
as in the case of oil.
c. It is energized by naturally flowing
wind; thus, it is a clean source of energy. It does not pollute the air and
cause acid rain or greenhouse gases.
d. It can also be built on farms or ranches
and hence can provide the economy in rural areas using only a small
fraction of the land. Thus, it still provides opportunity to the landowners to use
their land. Also, it provides rent income to the landowners for the use of the
land.
Disadvantages of a Wind Energy Conversion
System
a. The main challenge to using wind as a
source of power is that the wind is intermittent and it does not always
blow when electricity is needed. It cannot be stored; not all winds can be harnessed
to meet the timing of electricity demands. At the present time, the use of
energy storage in battery banks is not economical for large wind turbines.
b. Despite the fact that the cost of wind
power has come down substantially in the past 10 years, the technology
requires a higher initial investment than the solutions using fossil fuels.
Hence, depending on the wind profile at the site, the wind farm may or may not
be as cost competitive as a fossil fuel-based power plant.
c. It may have to compete with other uses
for the land, and those alternative uses may be more highly valued than
electricity generation.
d. It is often that good sites are located
in remote locations, far from cities where electricity is needed.
Thus, the cost of connecting remote wind farms to the supply grid may be prohibitive.
e. There may be some concerns over the
noise generated by the rotor blades and aesthetic problems that can be
minimized through technological developments or by correctly siting wind plants
