Power of Wind

[GailWiley]

Wind energy is empowering the world, as a cheap source of alternate energy. The wind is created by the uneven heating of the earth’s surface by sun. When this happens, the light-weight warm air just above the surface of the earth is replaced by the cool and heavier air above. This leads to the blowing of wind, causing it to rotate airfoil shaped blades of the turbine. The blades of the turbine are connected to a drive shaft that in turns rotates the electric generator to produce electricity.

Turbines are the most commonly used technology of wind energy production these days. Wind turbines are used in wind farms for commercial production of electric power. These wind turbines are usually three-bladed and pointed into the wind by computer-controlled motors. These have tip speeds of up to six times the wind speed, high efficiency, and low torque ripple, which contribute to good reliability.

Being a dynamic and growing sector, many new technologies have been introduced that has decreased the cost of producing electricity from wind. The wind sector is growing so rapidly that it has shown a growth more than fivefold globally between 2000 and 2007. As such, the wind power investment has also risen over the years.

[moguitar]

Still, solar panels are more attractive to me than wind generators----and they make no noise!:l augh:

[moguitar]

Originally Posted by KrisK

Maybe you worry there is too much materialistic thinking by the ordinary citizen over the sanity of the market.

You talking to me? You don't make much sense. Of course people tend to be over-consumers and selfish. There is no sanity in the market, it is a mass of people investing to try to make money from very little or nothing. The market is a thing, not an intelligent being, so sanity doesn't apply except to investors and those who would dupe them.
Real investment in alternative green energy is like you see on my garage roof.

[TheMorg]

I worked in wind energy for two years and can safely say that it is now a commercial project. Very little ethical motivation exists for the production of wind technology and one of the biggest cover ups in its manufacture is the massive amount of un-degradable waste that is produced and the exposure of its workforce to toxic chemicals. It is highly profitable, which has meant that just like all successful commercial projects it has become very effectively marketed. The very same dutch engineers that 30 years ago were saying that wind could provide 100 % of the worlds energy needs only recently re-clarified that figure at around 3%! It can be used to meet local demands, for small communities, but the massive support it has received is misplaced. Whatever it may have started out as, is long gone, It now represents nothing more than a desirable product, which can make people very rich. Its very very sad.

[moguitar]

I would like to know exactly what toxic chemicals you were supposedly exposed to while working in the "wind industry". I would also like to know the source of only 3% of power needs could be provided by wind. One post, no introductions---not very believable.
The Air X and the Air Breeze are perfect for independent homes. People should quit thinking of the grid, although small community grids are OK. Often the wind is blowing on a cloudy day or at night, for combo solar/wind systems.
The real problem is megapolises and the huge country sized grids--a result of overpopulation, and unsustainable.

[TheMorg]

OK then,
SP systems Spabond 340 LV.
http://www.marineware.com/pdf/sp/MW_...abond340LV.pdf
SP systems 106 slow hardener epoxy resin. Thought most people were aware of the health risks involved with these chemicals.
http://www.business-humanrights.org/...ry/518444/jump
http://www.hazards.org/greenjobs/greencollared.htm
As for the 3% statement, admitted mistake on my part, meant 30%. And that's me taking an rough average of the figures supplied at the following link. Very sorry.
http://www.wind-energy-the-facts.org...-in-the-eu-27/
Wind energy is a better alternative, but it is not the right one. The industry, not the small business specialized manufacturer, is not environmentally motivated, nor is it ethical. The product falls short of our long term needs as a people.

The real problem is megapolises and the huge country sized grids--a result of overpopulation, and unsustainable.

Agreed. We have exponential population growth, the majority of these people live in cities and towns, which are also growing rapidly. Are these not the energy demands that alternative, renewable sources such as wind are claiming to meet? Not everyone has a garage to put solar cells upon.
Loads of posts, no introduction (to me anyway), not very friendly....'Supposedly' indeed.
My names Rick by the way. Now if you'll excuse me I have a chicken in the oven.

[moguitar]

Those chemical exposure risks are only with certain among many, types of materials used for wind generator housings and airfoils, and only in shops that do not use OSHA certified ventilation systems.
The worst of all is PVC, a petrochemical. See other posts on that nightmare.
Many home made wind generators are made of various metals or even wood.
The places you worked were obviously profiteers who didn't care about regulations or their workers. I hope you were a whistle blower with them to stop them from their illegal practices.
Most wind generators are produced legally and ethically by companies who care more about people going to alternative non CO2 energy than extreme profits.

[TheMorg]

Actually, I tried initially to deal with the health and safety issues internally, by writing and submitting reports. Then I tried to get Union recognition once I realized the bigger picture. I was sacked for some erroneous issue, I took them to caught and lost. I would do things differently if I had the opportunity. As the links explain, this company was closed down not long after being fined by the UK H&S exec for exactly the issues I had raised, using some evidence I supplied.
Bad management and profit based attitudes are damaging a valuable technology. Big business should not be given the responsibility for the its growth. There is too much money to be made and they are too greedy. There is too much at stake and they are too ignorant.