MYP Chemistry Essay

Wind Energy (The use of Wind Turbines)
Denique Rodriguez
MYP Chemistry Essay

Abstract In this essay the benefits of wind energy will be discussed including the cons. Wind energy is a sufficient source of energy along with other renewable resources. It is one of many to be environmentally friendly and not produce harmful pollutants. This essay will also discuss the interworking of how wind turbines function and how well they operate in different conditions. Economically and environmentally the wind turbine is a safe use to produce necessary energy to sustain individuals. It is very cost effective and in time will repay the money spent to purchase the land and resources to assemble a turbine. The wind turbine runs on wind which is an unlimited resource and also will be compared to the other resources present.

The ongoing dilemma of the quantity of CO2 emissions have increased heavily in the past years, looking at only the years 1950 to 2000, 7,500 tons of carbon have been collected over the course of 50 years. Due to advances in technology and new developments, the encouragement of renewable energy sources has now become more of a necessity than an option. Instead of burning fossil fuels, there are many other energy sources that could be used instead, one being wind energy. Wind energy has progressed immensely through time, with new research and growth. Wind, like many other natural renewable resources comes in an unlimited supply, and is constant and always in motion. Wind is caused when the changes in temperature and pressure are made. The wind varies in direction and strength depending on the area and time of the year, and also the weather. Harnessing the wind to create energy requires the use of a turbine which is essentially a tall fan like structure, raising about 50 meters high. The wind turbine is a very innovative source of achieving an alternative renewable energy resource. It is a bit costly with the starting price and assembling as well as the land required for housing a wind turbine. The advantage of having a turbine however is that with efficient use over time the money saved pays for the fees in the beginning. The wind turbine is connected to a generator that produces the energy when the strength of the wind turns the propeller blades around a rotor which is coupled with the main shaft as shown in the image. The main shaft then turns the generator to then finally produce the energy needed.

Wind turbines’ effectiveness can be easily related to the amount of wind and strength that is located in that particular area. The concept is simple; no wind equals no energy, without the proper necessary environments the wind turbine would not be a very good investment. Wind energy is an alternative renewable resource that is environmentally friendly in more than a couple of ways. Digging deep into the earth to recover the little amount of fossil fuels still buried leads to the production of pollution and also the question of; “what happens when those resources run out?” Wind energy is a resource that will not simply run out, doesn’t emit harmful greenhouse gasses, does not produce any water pollution, is easily accessible, and requires very minimal land. Accompanied with the burning of fossil fuels comes toxic releases of sulfur dioxide and different types of nitrogen oxide, which blends together with the clouds while it condensates to form acid rain. Wind energy is clean and uses the unlimited resources that the earth so generously provides for our use. The use of wind has not been utilized to its full potential as shown in this graph.

Only 2.9% of all sources that could be used are wind energy. With all the benefits of having a wind turbine there should be more people utilizing it, however more research needs to be done for it to reach its full potential for optimum use. The wind turbine has many obvious benefits and stands on par with the environment. It is safe for use and unlike nuclear energy, another alternative source of energy; it doesn’t come accompanied with many problems that need to be addressed with use. Wind power is unlike many other alternative energy sources being that it comes in an unlimited supply. Hydroelectric power for example is another superior source of power, however even water is not unlimited. The wind is vast and with the proper tools can be controlled to achieve an efficient energy source.

Word Count: 853
References
Chapter 16: Wind energy. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2013, from Energy Story website: http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter16.html
Heinzerling, A. (2010, July 20). Carbon emissions. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from Earth Policy Institute website: http://www.earth-policy.org/indicators/C52/carbon_emissions_2010
Leithead, W. E. (1853). Wind energy. Philosophical Transactions: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 365, 381-394. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/i25190475
Let 's take a look inside a wind turbine. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2013, from Top Alternative Energy Sources website: http://www.top-alternative-energy-sources.com/inside-a-wind-turbine.html
Wind. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2013, from Institute for Enegy Research website: http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/wind/
Wind energy. (2010). In R. M. Falk (Ed.), Environment (7th ed., pp. 285-287). Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.

References: Chapter 16: Wind energy. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2013, from Energy Story website: http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter16.html Heinzerling, A. (2010, July 20). Carbon emissions. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from Earth Policy Institute website: http://www.earth-policy.org/indicators/C52/carbon_emissions_2010 Leithead, W. E. (1853). Wind energy. Philosophical Transactions: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 365, 381-394. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/i25190475 Let 's take a look inside a wind turbine. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2013, from Top Alternative Energy Sources website: http://www.top-alternative-energy-sources.com/inside-a-wind-turbine.html Wind. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2013, from Institute for Enegy Research website: http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/wind/ Wind energy. (2010). In R. M. Falk (Ed.), Environment (7th ed., pp. 285-287). Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.