Wind Energy, Advantages and Disadvantages of this Ecological Source

Wind energy is almost as old as human civilizations. Perhaps now we see it represented in the fields of white metal mills when we drive through windy areas, those giants of steel with three huge blades. But harnessing the wind to generate energy is something truly ancient. For centuries, ships have moved through wind power thanks to sails, for example.

However, nowadays when we refer to wind energy, it usually pertains to what we have discussed, the windmills that generate electricity in a renewable and ecological manner, thanks to the use of wind turbines. This technology is inherited from the mills that have been around for over 600 years and once powered rudimentary machines.

In Spain, renewable wind energy is highly developed and has become a benchmark. 20% of global production is achieved in our country, and out of the total electricity generated in 2016 across Spanish territory, 18% came from windmills.

From the start, wind energy has been a great success in Spain. Without overlooking its disadvantages, the main drawback being that, obviously, we cannot control when the wind will blow. It depends on environmental conditions. What pros and cons does this type of ecological energy production have?rn

Advantages of Wind Energy

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The first advantage, without a doubt, is that it is an ecological energy. The ventilation that moves the mills is completely natural and clean; it does not pollute. But this is not the only advantage of wind energy.rn

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• When will the wind run out? Considering it is part of life since the dawn of time, it is inexhaustible. So wind energy has an inexhaustible energy source.
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• The wind technology is constantly improving. While you cannot change the volume of the wind, the collected energy can be utilized better.
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• Investment in this type of energy is significant, creating a technological sector that promotes its integration in more territories and professionals dedicated to it.
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• There are no issues with livestock in places where wind turbines are installed.
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• There is wind at any point in the world. In some areas more than others, but simply placing turbines in a location within the country can yield energy without needing to transport it there.
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• It has costs that are lower than the gains from the energy produced.
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• The metallic materials of the wind turbines are recyclable at the end of their useful life.
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• Besides the gigantic wind turbines in the fields, there are also smaller ones in cities, where they help in energy production.
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• It is a type of energy that creates many jobs, far more than oil, in addition to numerous indirect employment opportunities.
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• It is a cheap energy.
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Disadvantages of Wind Energy

rnIn general, experts warn that the use of wind energy compensates despite its drawbacks. While it has certain problems, it remains one of the most efficient and undoubtedly clean ways to generate electricity.rn

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• The main problem of wind energy is the difficulty in knowing when the wind will blow. Electric systems operate based on wind estimate calculations, but these do not always work well.
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• It can take up to five or six years for a wind farm to be operational from the time construction begins.
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• You cannot solely rely on wind energy, as it could lead to blackouts. Its use is usually combined with thermal energy production.
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• Wind energy cannot be stored.
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• While metal is reusable, wind turbines are monsters of 30 meters. Additionally, they alter the landscape of the place and transform the view of the areas where they are installed.
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rnAll of these are drawbacks that are still considered acceptable in exchange for the benefits that wind energy provides. After all, it is one of the cleanest among renewables.