What do you imagine when you think about wind energy? Do you just think about electricity from slow-moving mammoth windmills? Well, let us tell you, that’s not all. Apart from that, new technology is coming up that is making wind energy more and more mainstream. Since it is the main agenda of most of the leading countries of the world to promote wind energy, such projects to receive a lot of funds too. Here are 5 innovative uses of wind energy you can expect to become grand in the near future.
5 Innovative uses of wind energy
Our nature is a source of energy in many forms. Wind is one such energy, which is in abundance and is totally environment friendly. It is also one of the most preferred sources of clean energy. Wind energy has been used by man since time immemorial and is still being used in various forms. You must have seen windmills with their propellers rotating in the wind that is used to convert wind energy into electricity. Many ways of tapping wind energy are known to most of us but there are few that we don’t know. Here is a list of 5 Innovative uses of wind energy
1. Power generating windmills or wind turbines
Wind turbines are one such power generating machines that use wind energy as the source of energy to generate power. Many such turbines are being used worldwide on a large scale and even individual smaller turbines are used. The principle is to tap the ever-flowing energy of the wind to rotate the propellers that rotates the turbines to generate electricity. This electricity is then stored in the batteries and/or used to run electric devices. These days wind turbines are being used to provide green power to various industries and residential complexes. Green power is also an economical option for people on a budget.
2. Wind powered vehicles
Wind powered vehicles are a great option for people who want to go green. In Australia, it was recently proved that we can use wind power to run our vehicles. Recently a car was made to run 3100 miles in Australia with the help of kites harnessing the power of wind. When in motion the cars batteries were charged and then this stored power was used to run the car when there was no wind. Nevertheless, it was proved that a car could be run solely on just wind energy. The total cost of running the car to 3100 mile came out to be $15, it’s really green and economical and one of the most Innovative uses of wind energy.
3. Wind powered sea ships
One of the most ancient uses of wind power as seen in history is the use of wind energy to power the motion of sailing ships in the sea. It is one of the most abundant sources of energy. This green source of energy once used to power small boats and ships to sail is now recently been used to power a cargo ship too. This was done by attaching a huge kite. By doing so this dramatically reduced the consumption of fuel and reduced carbon dioxide emission, thus conserving the nature.
4. Innovative uses of wind energy in sports
Hundreds of sports have used the power of wind to energize our passion for sports. Adventure lies in speed and many sports use wind energy to enhance the thrill. This helps to provide a thrill and speed up these sports. Everything from simple kite flying to sailing in the river/sea, kite surfing, para-sailing, wind-skiing and many more are being powered by the energy of wind. Hot air balloon sports also use the power of wind energy to move from one place to another. Being a natural source of energy that is 100% green and leaves no harmful residue the power of wind is a great way to energize the sports.
5. Wind powered water pumps
In many countries and communities, people use the power of wind energy to pump water out of the ground. The process is simple and uses wind turbines. The only difference is that this time the mill does not rotate the turbine. However, you can use it to move the water pump, in turn forcing the water to pump out of the ground. The use of wind energy to pump water is a great way to help a village or community. This is helpful especially in the case where there is a need of continuous supply of water. This helps to provide water for daily needs as well as for irrigation purposes for farming.
Seven countries that harness wind power
Needless to say that wind energy is the green source and the most abundantly available source of energy, its application are required to be innovated so that we can get an unlimited source of green energy using technology and at the same time we can connect with the mother nature. Innovative uses of wind energy helps us to live an Eco-friendly life and do our part towards the environment.
Wind energy is the watch word of the world today as it has the singular advantage of being green, Eco-friendly, economical, easily extractable, renewable, abundant, omnipresent and totally emission free. From windmills and wind turbines for electric power generation, wind pumps for water supply or drainage to sails for ships, wind power is the unequivocal choice for power generation and needs.
Onshore wind power units usually yield moderate amounts of power to individual locations while offshore wind units may generate power en mass. The only drawback in using wind power is the lack of continuous supply and seasonal nature of heavy wind currents to augment power generation. Using heavy storage facilities and wind boosters may ameliorate the quantity of wind power produced.
About 2% of the global power comes from wind generators. In 2010, the quota of worldwide wind power amounted to 192 Giga watts. An insight into the countries of the world harnessing the wind power is truly helpful.
1. China – the wind champion
Although formerly ranked third in wind power generation, China has recently toppled the US to stand first among the wind-powered nations. By 2010, China’s wind power fulfilled 41.8 Giga watts of electrical power needs. China aims to be a complete wind-power country for all its electricity needs by 2030.
By 2008, 15 Chinese companies had become truly functional in delivering wind power. Sinove, Goldwind and Dongfang Electric are some of the prominent wind power companies in China. China plans to invest more than 100 billion Yuan to multiply its wind power capacity.
In fact, the most remarkable fact is that the National People’s Congress has, by decree, made it mandatory for all the Chinese industries to harness this renewable energy.
2. US – ultimate in wind power
The total installed capacity of the US in wind power stood at 40,180 MW, in 2010. With 38 states having utility-scale wind projects and 14 states with over 1,000 MW of wind power. US aims to make 20% of its total power to be from wind by 2030.
At the end of 2010, the top five states for cumulative wind energy capacity were Texas, Iowa, California, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington State in the leading order. Texas topped the list with a whopping 10,085 MW of power installed.
Over 50 of the wind turbines deployed deliver domestic power while around 500 manufacturing plants cater to the industry. Around 85,000 green collar worker sare employed by the US.
3. Germany – the wind power giant
By 2010, Germany stood third among the wind-powered nations yielding 27.2 Giga watt power. About 2% of Germany’s electrical power comes from wind.
With nearly 21,607 wind turbines, Germany plans to expand its wind power units to offshore bases and inland farms. In 2010, Germany launched its first offshore wind power unit in the North Sea, called Alpha Ventus.
Though third in wind power outputs, Germany has many firsts to its credit. The tallest turbine in the world, the Fuhrlander Wind Turbine is in Germany in Laasow, Brandenburg, Germany also boasts of the best and most powerful wind turbines like the Enercon E-126.
Offshore units have great potential for wind power in Germany. Germany is currently in the process of re-powering – replacing first generation wind turbines with modern multi-megawatt machines to boost its wind power.
4. Spain – speeding up on wind power
With 19.96 mega watts of wind power, Spain stands fourth among the world’s top wind energy producers. Iberdrola, Acciona and NEO Energia are some of Spain’s ranking wind power units.
Navarre, in Spain aims to be Europe’s first city to be self-sufficient on wind power. Navarre, with 900 mega watts installed capacity, is also Europe’s sixth largest producer of wind power.
5. India – eager on wind power
Standing fifth among the world’s wind power producers, India accounted for 14.459 mega watts of wind power in 2010. The Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal contribute to India’s wind power. About 1.6% of India’s total power comes from wind.
Suzlon has emerged as India’s largest wind turbine manufacturer, holding 52% of the market share. Tamil Nadu is the largest wind power producer with the Muppandal Wind Farm in Aralvaimozhi, being the largest in the Indian subcontinent.
6. Italy – interested in wind power
By the end of 2010, Italy attributed 5,660 MW of its total installed power to wind. Sicilia, Puglia, Calabria, Campania and Sardinia are the leading wind power generators.
7. France – fast on wind power
With 4.521 MW, France is fast improving on wind power. With the European Union’s directive, France has earmarked 25 GW as its wind power target, by 2020.
France is lucky to have the Europe’s largest wind potential and plans to make the best use of it by building large offshore units to yield 6 GW of its total output by 2020.
Enercon, Nordex, Vestas and Repower are some of France’s leading wind turbine manufacturers.
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