Cost Efficiency of Wind Energy

Wind energy is the means of converting the powers of the wind into a useable form of energy, like electricity. This feat is accomplished through the use of turbines, which operate in a similar fashion to windmills with blades revolving in the wind. As the blades rotate, energy is being created, which can be collected and turned into electricity. Wind turbines, which can reach up to 400 feet in height, are typically found on wind farms where enough wind is able to be collected to supply an entire community with electricity, but single unit wind turbines are also available for individual use.

One of the greatest aspects of wind energy is that it is an entirely renewable source of energy. Unlike other resources, the earth will never be able to exhaust its supply of wind. However, as a natural phenomenon, the problem with wind as an energy source is that it is changeable in its availability. Plus, wind blows at varying speeds. Sometimes, the turbines are hit with forceful gusts and other times all they have to work with are puffs and zephyrs. As a result, wind power creates energy at inconsistent levels. Typically, turbines will not produce electricity until wind speeds hit at least 10 miles per hour, reaching their maximum energy output at around 33 miles per hour and shutting down all together if wind speeds exceed 50 miles per hour.

However, what wind energy lacks in consistency, it certainly makes up for it in cost efficiency. Other than the cost it takes to manufacture and install the turbines, which can be pricey, ranging in cost from 1.8 to 2.3 million dollars, there are no additional expenses involved with electricity production using wind energy. While the price of setting up wind turbines may be higher than erecting a coal or natural gas fueled generation facility, in the long run, wind energy is going to be the more cost efficient option. Fluctuations in fuel prices have no effect on wind energy, seeing as it does not rely on fuel for production. Moreover, the turbines have relatively low maintenance costs. With a life-expectancy of approximately 20 years, the turbines are designed to run for 24 hours a day, so while minor parts may need to be fixed or replaced from time to time, the major components should remain intact and fully functioning for the duration of this time period.

In addition to being highly cost efficient, wind energy is also very environmental friendly as it does not depend on fossil fuels or create any damaging by-products. So, while wind energy may not be the most reliable source of energy, there are still significant financial and environmental benefits that wind energy provides, making this form of energy a source worthy of consideration.