THE AEOLIC ENERGY
In the course of human history, strong winds have always been associated with terrible catastrophes. Everywhere on earth, people pray to their gods to protect them against the awesome powers of nature. In Chubut Province, located in the Patagonia region of southern Argentina, inhabitants are putting aside this ancestral fear and harnessing wind power to obtain clean energy. Indeed, to the 100,000 residents of this province, who have no electricity, winds are bringing them progress.
What is aeolic energy?
It is the energy we obtain from the force of winds. To produce energy, we need an aeolic generator which is based on the same principle as windmills. It is made up of an aeolic turbine whose energy is proportional to the cube of wind speed. Therefore, it is of interest only when wind is blowing strong enough (over 20 kilometers an hour) and regularly. There are several apparatuses that come in different designs and sizes according to different needs.
Why is wind energy a good option?
At this time, the main interest in this type of energy lies in substituting and lowering the costs of fossil fuels now in use. The principal difficulties we face in harnessing this energy source are variations in wind speed and the inability to ensure a regular and constant supply. In general terms, wind energy - together with other unconventional energy sources - will contribute to the world's energy supply in the future when every reasonably usable source will have to be exploited.
Advantages of wind energy:
1. It is a safe, clean, renewable source of energy.
2. It does not produce polluting emissions in the atmosphere, or residues, except for the oil used in maintaining the turbines.
3.
Using wind energy means that less fossil fuels (coal and oil) needs to be burned to make electricity. Burning fossil fuels pollutes the atmosphere and adds greenhouse gases to it. This pollution is a cause of globalwarming . .
4. They do not take long to be built.
5. They create jobs, stimulate progress, and help prevent migration to large cities.
6. The land can be used for other activities at the same time.
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