Electricity is here to stay for many, many years. It’s one of the greatest discoveries ever, but the way we create it continues to change. Engineers and Scientists have moved away from fossil fuel-based energy towards more renewable types such as solar, wind and hydroelectric.
These sources are now beginning to take first and second place in the production of energy in many countries, bringing our ole trusty fossil fuels down a notch, and for good reason too. The pollutants they release are not good for the environment let alone us, you can tell the difference between a good and bad day when you’re walking down a busy road in London during rush hour and can taste the fumes.
What about wind?
So, let’s talk about a better source – wind, there has been a lot of discussion recently around wind power, specifically the UK and their newly constructed extension – The Walney Wind Farm Extension.
A fantastic stepping stone for the UK in a move towards the production of energy coming from 100% renewable energy.
Now the term ‘farm’ just means loads of them, one turbine can supply around 1500 households’ everyday year with electricity, now this seems like a great number, but when you realise there are 27 million households in the UK alone, this is where the farm is required. And they are not exactly that eye candy to place them in the middle of a city, as attractive as they may be compared to a dirty coal plant spewing out poisonous fumes.
What about Engineers and Scientists?
So, this is where the Engineers and Scientists come in and decide where and what is best, remember there are other sources too! In perspective, around 4 million wind turbines would be needed to provide the world with electricity, that would take up a land mass around the size of Spain, so not really practical. Another source would be through solar panels, now to power the world through solar energy, this would take up far less land mass, around the size of Cuba. So, all the Engineers and Scientists have to do is factor in capital costs, maintenance, noise pollution and efficiency.
And some countries have done just this, utilising their space and creating huge mega wind farms. China for example, surpasses Walney by a long way. The world’s biggest onshore wind farm produces 8 times more power than the one in the UK, and that’s just right now. By 2020, they aim to produce 20,000MW of Electricity. That is HUGE.
So that’s wind farms explained, they are the future. The quicker we move away from fossil fuels for our energy the better off our planet will be, we only have one planet to look after – it should be our priority.
