Wind and Solar Are Making an Impact in the Conservation of Energy

Introduction

Energy availability of renewable energy sources is higher than conventional energy sources, but its use is limited. The development of technology, increased social demand and lower costs of installation and fast return, are driving increased use of energy sources from renewable sources in recent years (Goldemberg, 99). Similarly, the question of sustainable development model and its shift towards a model of sustainable development implies a new conception of the production, transport and energy consumption.

In this model of sustainable development, renewable energies are considered inexhaustible energy sources, and the peculiarity of being clean energy, with the following characteristics: they assume a zero or low environmental impact, its use has not added potential risks indirectly involve the enrichment of natural resources and are an alternative to conventional energy sources, and may gradually replace them (Sorenson, 58).

How Wind Is Impacting On The Conservation Of Energy

Wind power is considered an indirect form of solar energy, as the sun, the warm air mass, and an increase of atmospheric pressure and thus the mass displacement of these areas of lower pressure. This gives rise to the winds as a result of this movement, whose kinetic energy can be transformed into useful energy, both mechanical and electrical. Wind energy, transformed into mechanical energy has historically been exploited, but its use for electricity generation is more recent, larger scale applications exist since the mid 70's in response to the oil crisis and the environmental impacts fossil fuel use (Rex, 14).

One feature of this resource is its condition random variable, much depends on weather conditions. This leads to extensive measurements are required as a precondition for the development of projects for their use. Generally speaking there are four scales of wind energy applications for the purpose of electricity generation (Tony, 36):

Large-scale wind systems connected to the grid, also called wind farms. Power above 1 MW

Medium systems, used to supply small towns that require backup systems using diesel generators. Power above 100 kW and less than 1 MW

Small systems, used to supply small communities, consisting of a wind turbine, a backup diesel generator and battery bank. Power above and below 1 kW to 100 kW

Individual housing systems, which consist primarily of a wind turbine and batteries for energy storage.

Wind energy is obtained from air currents (wind), wind energy is moving and this movement can move to other elements. Wind energy has been used for over 3,000 years to move sailing ships or mills to grind grain and pump water from wells. Today, with better materials, more sophisticated design and engineering, power plants are built in which wind energy is converted into electricity. These plants consist of a large number of windmills placed in groups, called wind farms (Tony, 37). Wind energy is the energy of the wind, and more specifically, the energy directly from the wind using a wind turbine system as an ad hoc wind or a windmill. Wind energy is one form of renewable energy. Wind energy ...