What makes wind energy

You can install wind turbines on properties, on boats, or caravans. Whether it is viable depends entirely on the number of wind resources available in your area. The first thing you need to do is to find out the average speed in your area. While using freely available data gives an indication, the most reliable method is a reading taken at your site. Ideal locations for wind turbines are:. Basically, anywhere away from built-up areas.

The more buildings around the installation, the less wind there is. Setting up a wind turbine is a big job that takes time. It can be a very cost-effective way of creating power as long as the average wind speed is high enough. In most suburban residential settings, solar panels are a better choice than wind turbines. Learn more about wind energy vs. Wind turbines convert the energy in wind to electricity by rotating propeller-like blades around a rotor.

The rotor turns the drive shaft, which turns an electric generator. Three key factors affect the amount of energy a turbine can harness from the wind: wind speed, air density, and swept area. In the U. As of the third quarter of , the U. Siting a wind farm varies from one location to another, but there are some important matters for land owners to consider: [12]. Wind power project or WPP involves development through own resources and manpower or by availing the technical services from consultant organisations: [13].

The amount of land required for a wind farm varies considerably, and is particularly dependent on two key factors: the desired size of the wind farm which can be defined either by installed capacity or the number of turbines and the characteristics of the local terrain [14]. Oil and petroleum products. Diesel fuel.

Heating oil. Also in Oil and petroleum products explained Oil and petroleum products Refining crude oil Where our oil comes from Imports and exports Offshore oil and gas Use of oil Prices and outlook Oil and the environment. Also in Gasoline explained Gasoline Octane in depth Where our gasoline comes from Use of gasoline Prices and outlook Factors affecting gasoline prices Regional price differences Price fluctuations History of gasoline Gasoline and the environment.

Also in Diesel fuel explained Diesel fuel Where our diesel comes from Use of diesel Prices and outlook Factors affecting diesel prices Diesel fuel surcharges Diesel and the environment. Also in Heating oil explained Heating oil Where our heating oil comes from Use of heating oil Prices and outlook Factors affecting heating oil prices.

Hydrocarbon Gas Liquids. Natural gas. Also in Hydrocarbon gas liquids explained Hydrocarbon gas liquids Where do hydrocarbon gas liquids come from? Transporting and storing Uses of hydrocarbon gas liquids Imports and exports Prices. Also in Natural gas explained Natural gas Delivery and storage Natural gas pipelines Liquefied natural gas Where our natural gas comes from Imports and exports How much gas is left Use of natural gas Prices Factors affecting natural gas prices Natural gas and the environment Customer choice programs.

Also in Coal explained Coal Mining and transportation Where our coal comes from Imports and exports How much coal is left Use of coal Prices and outlook Coal and the environment. Renewable sources. Renewable energy. Biofuels: Ethanol and Biomass-based diesel. Also in Hydropower explained Hydropower Where hydropower is generated Hydropower and the environment Tidal power Wave power Ocean thermal energy conversion.