Running head: Worlds Future Energy Source

Worlds Future Energy Source

Michael Sota
University of Texas at El Paso

Worlds Future Energy Source

Abstract
Over the years Wind energy has been receiving great attention since it is an
efficient and renewable type of energy. With turbines being non-polluting and only
needs a steady wind to generate power makes it a perfect source to help reduce the
damage polluting energy producers have done to the environment. Wind Energy
growth benefits many and has very little cons. It is a safe alternative that other
utility companies need to begin looking into to help start a transition to a more
positive source of energy.

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Introduction

The way we humans live there will always be a need for an energy source to power the
technology that we have become so dependent on. Throughout the last couple hundred years
there have been various methods of producing energy. The most common include nuclear energy
and the burning of fossils fuels. Although these types of energy production are efficient they
have serious negative effects that affect the world. These energy source have pros which in fact
do not overcome the cons. A great alternative to help counter and reduce the problems caused by
fossils fuels and nuclear energy is wind energy. Winds are caused by rotation of the earth,
heating of the atmosphere by the sun, and earths surface irregularities (Kukreja). Winds can be
used to generate power. Wind energy has been around since the 1800s and has been an effective
way of producing energy. Recent advances in technology have created more productive wind
turbines that produce much higher levels of energy. Wind energy is something that this world
needs. It needs wind to generate power and has very few negative effects that are miniscule
compared other producers of energy such as nuclear energy or fossil fuels. This literature review
will show that the most efficient form of energy is wind. The research question for the literature
review are:
1. How does wind energy counter pollution from fossil fuels and nuclear energy?
2. How does the production of wind energy impact society?
3. How will wind energy benefit economies?

How does wind energy counter pollution from fossil fuels and nuclear energy?
The main problem with producing energy in the world today is the pollution that is
caused by energy production. The generation of electric power produces more pollution than

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any other single industry in the United States (Electricity Generation and Pollution). This goes
to show the biggest problem that we are facing with the continued use of fossil fuels and nuclear
energy. Burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil creates unwelcome by-products that pollute
when released into our environment, changing the planets climate and harming
ecosystems(Electricity Generation and Pollution). There is a healthier and just as efficient
source of energy producers can lean towards. Therefore, the use of wind turbines is an ideal
alternative to avoid locally introducing contaminants into the atmosphere and thus prevent
presented harm (Gumula). The effects of fossil fuels have been linked to global warming and
environmental issues such as acid rain. Acid rain leads to destruction of monuments made up of
brickwork or marbles, even crops are affected due to acidification of loams(Pro and Cons of
Wind Energy). With wind energy there are no by-products, no pollution, and cause a negligible
effect on wildlife compared to fossil fuels. The uses of turbines do affect avian animals, but these
numbers do not come anywhere close to the number of animals, land or air, affected by an oil
spill. Oil spills have a catastrophic impact on the marine and life on land. Over 8,000 animals
(birds, turtles, mammals) were reported dead just 6 months after the spill, including many that
were already on the endangered species list (11 Facts About the BP Oil Spill). The result of the
oil spill is unimaginable affect and is very difficult to contain. 16,000 total miles of coastline
have been affected, including the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida
(11 Facts About the BP Oil Spill). Not only affecting wildlife the British Petroleum oil spill in
2010 negatively affected the lives of people who depended on the Gulf of Mexico for income.
With turbines there are no oil spills altering the ecosystem or peoples lives. Most of these
problems have been resolved or greatly reduced through technological development or by
properly siting wind plants (Advantages and Challenges of Wind Energy). Steps are being

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taken to reduce the deaths of avian animals flying into turbine blades. Creating energy from
wind does not pollute the air or require any destructive chemicals (Wind Energy Basics).
Nuclear energy produces energy, but also produces radioactive waste. Nuclear waste takes
thousands of years to become non-radioactive. This waste is buried, tainting precious soil that
could support plants and wildlife. This waste also containments water and the radiation given off
by the waste is harmful to anything that lives. You do not come across any of these problems
with wind energy. Wind turbines give off some particles of radiation, but in no way come close
to the amounts given off by nuclear waste. The production of wind energy is clean
(Kukreja). The use of fossil fuels pollutes the air linking to diseases, breathing problems with
elders and children. There are biological mechanisms relating air pollution with cardiac
disease (Gumula). This heart disease is deadly and has impacted people lives also there is
effects that cause problems for pregnant women which cause maternal mortality. Therefore, the
use of wind turbines is an ideal alternative to avoid locally introducing containment into the
atmosphere and thus prevent presented hazards (Gumula). Wind energy improves these
pollution issues that we are having with fossil fuels and nuclear energy poisoning of our earth.
CO2 concentrations are at their highest of the last 600,000 years (Gumula). This a red flag to
stop using fossil fuels since they have only been in mass use since in the early 1800s. That is
about 200 years of 600,000.
What are common know effects on society?
When it comes to wind energy there are a few complaints from our society. One is that
wind turbines generate to much noise that is a disturbance to communities. Noise pollution is
emerging as an environmental problem in locations close to wind turbines (Gumula). This
problem has to do with some wind turbine being close enough to communities that cause a

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disturbance. Wind turbines put along the coastline away from living area eliminate this problem.
At a distance above 350m the maximum noise level from wind turbines in general is below
45dba (Gumula). This level is equivalent to the sound of birds chirping and with the sound of
the ocean. Hearing a wind turbine would be nearly impossible. Another problem that is a concern
of the people is that wind turbines take up a great amount of space. The largest Machine has
blades that span more the length of a football field, and stand 20 stories high (Wind Energy
Basics). This problem also is solve with turbines being built along the coastline. This adds to the
benefits of the turbines by giving them a more constant wind supply. By developing along the
coastline which also will help reduce the numbers of avian casualties. These turbines along the
coastline cause no pollution in the ocean compare to nuclear waste. They do not affect marine
life. Rural areas are other solutions with space and noise issues. With Turbines being located in
the water it would potentially help preserve ecosystems by not having to clear land to set up a
turbine. Government organizations will also pay you if they install turbines on your land (Wind
Energy Pros and Cons). Farmers can make more money from renting or selling unused land to
turbine developer. In rural areas farmers would benefit more then have problems. By building
turbines away from society you take away the noise complaints from citizens. The power
generated from the turbines can be transport anywhere across the country. The Figure 1 below is
a wind turbine that in sent up in to the upper atmosphere by balloon, where winds are more
constant. At this altitude, wind speeds are faster and have five to eight times greater power
density (Bates). Also at this altitude avian deaths are no longer a problem and this completely
eliminates the problems with noise. The turbines turn out about twice as much power as the land
turbines while taking away no space land or sea. These balloon can be placed anywhere that does
not affect aircraft such as planes.

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Figure 1.

How will Wind energy benefit economically?

Wind energy is beneficial to the economy in numerous ways. Wind Energy is costeffective (Advantages and Challenges of Wind Energy). After an initial investment, wind
turbines quickly pay for themselves. Over the years turbines will lower the cost of energy
Benefiting consumers wallets. BP is responsible for close to $40 billion in fines, cleanup costs,
and settlements as a result of the oil spill in 2010, with an additional $16 billion due to the Clean
Water Act( 11 Facts About the BP Oil Spill). Wind energy eliminates the potential cost of
repairing the damage caused by fossil fuels and costly nuclear waste disposal. Even with all this
money being spent on repairing the damage the Gulf of Mexico was still polluted 2 years later.
According to AWEA, an estimated 85,000 Americans are currently employed in the wind power
industry and related fields. (Careers in Wind Energy). Jobs are never a bad thing since there are
people always looking for work. The jobs opened up from growth in this industry would mostly
be filled with the typical blue-collar worker that will be doing manual labor. Wind Energy is the
fastest growing energy source in the world with the United States aiming to produce 20% of its
electricity by wind power by 2030 ( Wind Energy Pros and Cons). There will be jobs available

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for the taking. With the more people working and earning money will help fuel their economy.
World energy production, as well as consumption in the last decades, have been growing rapidly
but supplies of fossil fuels are diminishing. Fossil fuels take millions of years to be made. Wind
can never be used up like fossil fuels since it is renewable. The energy of wind, as the combined
kinetic energy of all of the air molecules, is a free and renewable energy resource (Gumula).
Wind is free. With wind being renewable it save millions of dollars that would be used for
drilling for natural gases or oil. Winds blow day and night giving an endless supply to a turbine.
Elevated ozone levels persisting throughout the country have also led to the adverse health
effects of smog and millions of dollars in agricultural damage (Energy Generation and
Pollution). Another example of the costly affects caused by fossil fuels emissions in the
atmosphere. This cost is unnecessary, but is a reality with the use of fossil fuels. Wind turbines
are available in various sizes which means vast range of people and businesses can take
advantage of it to produce power for their own use or sell it to utility to reap some profits (Wind
Energy Pros and Cons). Wind turbine energy has seen enormous growth in the last ten years. So
investing in turbines would benefit you and the environment. An over the phone interview with
Mike Sota Sr., helped shared the problems with the use of chemicals and oil can containment the
ground and effect future build sites for other business owners. Recently promoted to manager for
Geotech Environmental, before he use to repair the machines and equipment used to test the
ground of potential future business build sites. I had over a one hundred thousand dollars worth
of equipment and parts multiple times coming home from work in my truck (M. Sota). In the
warehouse there were millions of dollars worth of equipment in the warehouse he worked at.
Renting equipment from Geotech ranges from hundreds of dollars an hour. With the
contamination due to chemicals and oil being absorbed in the surrounding area contractors and

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business owners have no choice, but to test the ground they plan to build on for contamination.
With more lean towards cleaner powered areas the chances of contamination decrease saving
people money. This visual of wind energy is informing the work force that jobs are going to be
available and as the wind energy grows, so will the jobs.
Figure 2.

Conclusion
With a growing world, there had become a need of energy to fuel the technology that we
are so dependent on. With there being many ways to make an electronic work, the main ones
used to produce energy are nuclear energy and fossil fuels. These two are negatively altering this
planet. A great alternative is needed to help counter and reduce the effects cause by fossils fuels
and nuclear energy. The world is in need of a clean and renewable source of energy. Wind

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energy will fit that need. Wind turbines that harness wind to generate energy have been around for
a few hundred years. After an initial investment wind turbines will pay for themselves with the
power they produce. There is no doubt from the fact that wind energy is going to reduce our
reliance on fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas in the coming decade(Wind Energy Pros and Cons)
Wind energy is a growing industry and should a future main source of energy. Having pros over
weighing the cons wind energy is the most efficient from of energy due to wind being renewable,
a non-polluting source, and help build economies.

References

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11 Facts about the BP Oil Spill. (2014, January 1). Retrieved from
https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-bp-oil-spil
Advantages and Challenges of Wind Energy. (2008, January 1). Retrieved from
http://energy.gov/eere/wind/advantages-and-challenges-wind-energy
Bates, S., & Holy, R. (2015, February 3). Floating wind turbines bring electricity where
it's needed. Retrieved from http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=134023
Careers in Wind Energy. (2010, January 1). Retrieved from
http://www.bls.gov/green/wind_energy/
Electricity Generation and Pollution. (2002, November 1). Retrieved from
http://www.science.smith.edu/~jcardell/Courses/EGR325/Readings/ElecPollution_EnvDef.pdf
Gumula, S., Pytel, K., & Silarska, M. (2014). Environmental and Economic Benefits of
Using Kinetic Wind Energy to Generate Electricity. 23(6).
Kukreja, R. (n.d.). Wind Energy Pros and Cons. Retrieved from http://www.conserveenergy-future.com/pros-and-cons-of-wind-energy.php
M. Sota, Personal Communication, March 24, 2015
Wind Energy Basics. (2010, January 1). Retrieved from
http://windeis.anl.gov/guide/basics/

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