Do the Positive Impacts of Wind Power Outweigh

Do the Positive Impacts of Wind Power Outweigh the Negative Impacts? Asdone Hooper, Sierra Musa, Torrey Shimp, Kevin Schiel

Overview Popular Sources of Energy Consumption Wind Power Negative Impacts Positive Impacts Alternate Perspectives Integrating into the Grid Conclusion

Popular Sources of Energy Fossil Fuels Coal Largest domestically produced source of energy US contains more than ¼ of world’s known coal reserves Generates a significant portion of our electricity Oil America is the world’s leading producer US uses around 19 million barrels per day Commonly utilized for transportation Natural Gas Often referred to as “clean burning” America is the world’s leading producer Relied upon as a source of heating Nuclear Energy America is the world’s leading producer 103 reactors located in 31 states contained in US

Energy Consumption Fossil Fuels 81% of US energy consumption Nuclear Power 8% of US energy consumption Renewable Energy 10% of US energy consumption

Wind Power How It Works Nacelle Generally made of fiberglass Sits on tower Holds primary technical parts of turbine Wind Energy Form of Solar Energy Wind caused by uneven heating of atmosphere, irregularities of Earth’s surface, rotation of Earth Wind Turbines Kinetic Energy -> Electrical Power Movement of rotor blades powers generator, which supplies electrical current Wind Farms Turbines + Agriculture Compatibility

Wind Power Global Comparisons China leads in total number of installations America leads in total amount of wind energy powering our grid than any other country

Wind Power Total US Installed Wind Capacity Increasing

Wind Power US States with Operating Utility Scale Wind Energy Projects Texas Iowa California Oklahoma Illinois Kansas Minnesota Oregon Washington

Negative Impacts of Wind Power Higher Initial Investment Turbines are expensive Wind power must compete with cheap/easy fossil fuels Noise Pollution Noise is produced by the rotation of the turbine blades Aesthetic Pollution Turbines are ugly relative to the natural view Wildlife Mortalities Bird/bat deaths Wind Unpredictability Too high/low can be detrimental to health of turbines and productivity Regional Locations differ in wind amount/exposure Safety Concerns Malfunctions: fire/ice

Positive Impacts of Wind Power Clean Doesn’t pollute air like power plants, which rely on fossil fuels Doesn’t produce atmospheric emissions, (acid rain/greenhouse gases) Renewable Can be used for as long as the wind continues to blow Domestic Source of Energy Landowners have the opportunity to make money from wind homesteads, government organizations, and electrical companies Cost Effective Each wind turbine provides energy to multiple homes Terrain Efficient Wind farms can be built on existing agricultural sites Rapid Growth Wind power is on a steady incline

Positive Impacts of Wind Power Additional workers required To manufacture/assemble turbine To provide financial, legal, and additional support services. Over 600, 000 wind-related jobs supported from wind industry through 2050 Manufacturing Transportation, Installation, Maintenance Transmission Offshore Wind ● Workers stimulate local economies with their spending and cause additional hiring/business growth

Alternate Perspectives Global Participation in Wind Energy European Wind Energy Association Growth within wind Economic Perspective Cost-Competitive around the world Power Purchase Agreements Clean energy saves our money and the environment! Art of Wind Energy Creative designs aimed for the future Politics Debates in pricing, location, and legislation.

Integrating into the Grid Increasing Wind Integration Utilities deploying more wind power for energy into grid The Wind Program Can provide economic and reliability values Provides benefits that some thermal energy cannot The Wind Vision Report

Conclusion Popular Sources Benefits vs. Drawbacks Comprehensive Look at Wind Power Conclusion Wind power is a great source of energy and power but not feasible at this time. Future findings can possibly be more permanent!

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