Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:15 am
Virtues of Wind Power
Wind holds so much energy that it can power the whole world. Yet it is not utilized to its maximum. Although the wind power available in the atmosphere is way higher than the total world energy consumption, only 1% of it is utilized in the worldwide electricity use. However, the usage of Wind power as a prime source of energy is rapidly increasing and has risen fivefold globally between 2000 and 2007. This, itself indicate a huge potential in the wind energy sector and the existence of immense wind power investment opportunities.
Wind energy is produced when the kinetic energy of wind is converted into electricity, using wind turbines. A study shows that the potential of wind power on land and near-shore to be 72 terrawatts (TW), or over five times the world's current energy use in all forms (15 TW from all sources in 2005). At the end of 2007, worldwide maximum output of wind-powered generators was 94.1 gigawatts (GW).
Although wind produces only about 1% of worldwide electricity use, it is growing rapidly, increasing more than fivefold globally between 2000 and 2007. By 2010, the World Wind Energy Association expects 160GW of capacity to be installed worldwide, up from 73.9 GW at the end of 2006, implying an anticipated net growth rate of more than 21% per year.
Wind energy is produced when the kinetic energy of wind is converted into electricity, using wind turbines. A study shows that the potential of wind power on land and near-shore to be 72 terrawatts (TW), or over five times the world's current energy use in all forms (15 TW from all sources in 2005). At the end of 2007, worldwide maximum output of wind-powered generators was 94.1 gigawatts (GW).
Although wind produces only about 1% of worldwide electricity use, it is growing rapidly, increasing more than fivefold globally between 2000 and 2007. By 2010, the World Wind Energy Association expects 160GW of capacity to be installed worldwide, up from 73.9 GW at the end of 2006, implying an anticipated net growth rate of more than 21% per year.
