Wind Energy

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What is wind and how is it made?

Wind is moving air and is caused by the uneven heating of the earth's surface by the sun. During the day, the land heats up more quickly than the air over the water. The warm air rises and the cool air rushes in to take its place, making wind. At night, it works the other way around.

                        Diagram courtesy of www.eia.doe.gov.kids/energyfacts/renewable/wind.html

Have a look at this link below,  which helps explain how wind is made.

http://www.windpower.org/en/kids/choose/wind/candle.htm

How is wind energy used?

The wind's energy has been used for thousands of years. Wind has been used to:

Wind Farms

A wind farm is like a power plant that makes electricity. Look at the picture below - each of these is  called a 'turbine'.

Each turbine is made up of 2 or 3 propellor like blades (rotor) and these are attached to a tall tower. When the wind blows, the rotor spins and gives power to a generator below that makes electricity. The power made by one turbine can provide electricity for one house.

There are many wind farms in Australia and are placed in areas well known for plenty of windy days. They are often placed on the tops of hills, open plains or in mountain gaps. Often the amount of wind will depend on the season.

Countries such as Germany, Spain, USA and India have the largest wind farms.

Wind is a clean, renewable source of energy. Some people think they look ugly and produce noise. They have also been blamed for being harmful to birds - if built close to nesting areas.

Bibliography

"Wind Energy" Energy Information Administration www.eia.doe.gov/energyfacts/index.html, July 09 2007

"Wind:how does it work?" www.windpower.org/en/kids/choose/wind/candle.htm , July 09 2007

"Wind" Kidcyber www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/wind.htm

Image of solar farm  http://ourmedia.org/node/44660

© S.McGuinness 2007