Wind Energy Explained

From the EIA, US Energy Information Administration

Wind is an emissions-free source of energy

Wind is a renewable energy source. Overall, using wind to produce energy has fewer effects on the environment than many other energy sources. Wind turbines do not release emissions that can pollute the air or water (with rare exceptions). They do not require water for cooling. Turbines may also reduce electricity generation from fossil fuels. This results in lower total air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.

An individual wind turbine has a relatively small physical footprint. Wind farms are groups of wind turbines in the same area. These wind farms can be located on open land, on mountain ridges, or offshore in lakes or the ocean.

Wind turbines have some negative effects on the environment

Modern wind turbines can be very large machines, and they may visually affect the landscape. A small number of wind turbines have also caught fire, and some have leaked lubricating fluids, but these occurrences are rare. The wind turbine blades make noise as they turn in the wind and some people do not like the sound. Turbine blades can cause injury or death to birds and bats. These deaths may contribute to declines in the population of species also affected by other human-related impacts. The U.S. government is researching ways to reduce the effect of wind turbines on birds and bats.

Most land-based wind power projects require service roads that add to the physical effects on the environment. Metals and other materials used to make wind turbine components have impacts on the environment as well, and fossil fuels may be used to produce the materials. Although most of the materials used to make wind turbines can be reused or recycled, turbine blades, as most are currently constructed, cannot be recycled. Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) established an approach to manufacturing wind turbine blades, employing a thermoplastic resin system. These thermoplastic resins allow for the recycling of wind turbine blades and also reduce the energy required to manufacture blades.

Last updated: December 27, 2022