The future of wind power

Over the last three years publicly traded alternative energy have been very volatile, with some 2007 returns in excess of 100%, some 2008 returns down 90% or more, and peak-to-trough returns in 2009 again over 100%. In general there are three subsegments of ‘alternative’ energy investment: solar energy, wind energy and hybrid electric vehicles. Alternative energy sources which are renewable, free and have lower carbon emissions than what we have now are wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, and bio fuels. Each of these four segments involve very different technologies and investment concerns.

There are several advantages to using natural gas, including the reduces environmental damage, cost, and ease of use, since many homes and businesses could easily be converted to use natural gas. There are disadvantages, just like anything else. It does still releases greenhouse gases, and the process to isolate methane is quite complex.

There are a number of advantages to using wind power. First, it produces no pollution. This means there are no harmful by-products and our environment stays healthy. Secondly, wind energy is a renewable source, so we will never run out of wind. Third, wind turbines can be placed on farms in which livestock are raised. Finally, wind farms can also be built off-shore. Clearly, wind power has some advantages.

Wind power is a very simple process. A wind turbine converts the kinetic energy (motion) of wind into mechanical energy that is used to generate electricity. The energy is fed through a generator, converted a second time into electrical energy, then fed into the grid to be transmitted to a power station. Wind power is abundant in California and Texas, with the two largest wind farms in the world residing in West Texas. Wind is unique because it carries incentives for farmers to give parcels of land for building wind turbines, and has the most potential as far as widespread adoption due to the large areas of land with consistent wind available to harness.