WIND

EMISSIONS- AND FUEL-FREE SOURCE OF ENERGY

Wind turbines use the wind to power a generator, providing a fuel and emissions-free source of energy during their operation.

Wind turns a blade, feeds a generator to produce electricity

Wind turbines use the wind to spin a blade and shaft that feeds a generator and generates electricity. Wind turbines are often deployed in large fleets and in open and flat areas such as plains or over bodies of water.

Canada’s geography makes it ideally suited to capitalize on large amounts of wind energy. For example, a single installation of six 65 kW wind turbines in Newfoundland is expected to produce approximately 1 million kWh of electricity a year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 750 tonnes.

The wind’s kinetic energy is converted by moving shaped turbine blades. The blades’ circular movement accelerates and spins the connected shaft. This is angular velocity is amplified by a gearbox to achieve the desired frequency of the generator and electrical grid.

Benefits

Does not require fuel

Once in operation, the wind turbine is completely driven by the wind and no fuel is required.

REDUCTION IN CARBON AND AIR POLLUTION

There are no carbon emissions or air contaminants (SO_X, NO_X and Mercury) from a wind turbine’s operation.

INCENTIVIZED BY REGULATION AND POLICY

Government policy, such as economic incentive programs, have made wind projects more affordable and improved their return on investment

Considerations

INTERMITTENT ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION

The unpredictability of the wind can cause issues for the grid as sudden spikes or gaps in wind energy can harm equipment. Wind turbine placement is important to generate consistent and enough energy. Common areas with a lot of wind include offshore locations, open fields, or mountainous areas.

NOT COMPLETELY PREDICTABLE ENERGY SUPPLY

It is difficult to forecast the amount of wind and energy that will be available at a certain site. The utility has difficulty balancing their energy demand and ad-hoc generators are extremely expensive

NOISY

The blades can be a nuisance for people who are near the turbine. Typically, wind turbines will be installed further away from residential areas, but this can make maintenance efforts more difficult.

WILDLIFE HAZARD

Wind turbines often claim the lives of birds. There is not much mitigation for this risk without compromising the amount of energy that the turbines produce.