Introduction
Wind energy is the most popular alternative energy source. As many have acknowledged wind power basically takes the kinetic energy from the wind and uses a turbine consisting of two to six blades to convert it into electrical energy. Wind energy is classified like solar energy is; there is domestic or small scale wind, and commercial or power plant scale wind. Domestic wind energy is commonly found in off grid areas or on farms where power from the electric company is not available. Commercial wind power can be found from the windy mountains, to the open plains, to even over our oceans.
Domestic Wind
Much smaller than commercial wind, domestic wind energy is used on farms and off grid areas. Domestic wind turbines usually have two to six blades on the turbine and create an electric current by rotating a magnet in between copper coils found in the generator. Although domestic wind energy can power a home it is not as economical as one would think. Many domestic wind turbines are located in places that do not have wind constantly blowing all of the time, meaning that at these times the home or farm will have to buy energy from the power company to meet energy demands. Most wind energy systems can cost up to $10,000 dollars. Figure your electric bill if you just bought your energy from the power company is $150 per month divide that into $10,000. It comes out to be 67 months or 5.5 years to pay off the system.
Commercial Wind
Commercial wind energy can be found almost anywhere that there is wind, even offshore. Power companies like General Electric (GE) are big sponsors of commercial wind energy. Although more costly that coal or natural gas, which deal higher profits, wind energy allows power companies to access enough energy to power a small town. Commercial wind is more costly to consumers, and for power companies to build so it is not usually found in large cities such as New York City.
To produce the energy large towers which can stand over 100 meters are placed in areas where the wind blows. At the top a gigantic turbine with three blades that stretch almost all the way to the bottom of the tower collects the kinetic energy from the wind. Like domestic wind the commercial wind turbine spins a magnet in between copper coils, generating an electric current.
