Wind energy is one of the oldest forms of renewable energy generation. Since 2000 BC, windmills were used to pump water and grind grain in China and Persia. Ancient mariners used wind to sail and explore the world.
Ironically, the primary source of wind energy is actually the sun. The sun warms earth but because of our planet’s surface irregularities and the fact that our planet rotates, the sun does not warm the earth evenly. The difference in temperatures that this creates causes irregularities in air pressure and air molecules move from a high air pressure system to a low air pressure system, hereby creating wind.
The speed, intensity, direction and duration of wind are determined by a number of factors such as vegetation, surface water and topography.
Wind turbines are erected in areas that have the right conditions to harness prevailing winds. The winds move the large blades of the wind turbines and the process of converting kinetic energy into mechanical energy begins. Find out how wind turbines work here.
