Wind Power

Wind Power

Wind power is quickly becoming the renewable energy of choice for generating large amounts of electricity in this country. In fact, as of 2010, wind energy generated in the United States makes up over twenty-percent of the total amount of wind-produced electricity in the world. The demand for this type of energy is so high that currently there hundreds of companies throughout the country that manufacturer parts for these power generators.

Wind turbines are the machines that turn wind into electricity. Each turbine is attached to a series of long blades (much like a fan) and as the wind blows across these blades they spin, causing the central shaft of the turbine to spin as well. As this shaft spins it generates electricity, which is then transferred to a storage facility or a distribution center.

Many of the countries most populated areas are located in coastal regions and can greatly benefit from the electricity that can be generated by offshore wind farms. Such facilities can generate enormous amounts of wind power, which can then be used directly by the cities for which they serve. And while offshore wind energy might still be in its infancy, it holds a tremendous amount of potential.