The Need
Wind Energy - Some Basic Facts
Wind energy is currently the only large scale economically viable renewable energy generation method to start the battle against climate change. Wind energy provides renewable energy from a never ending resource, and in its generation does not produce carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, causing climate change and more turbulent weather.
Every unit of energy produced by the wind displaces a unit of energy from traditional power stations which leads to a reduction in the emission of carbon dioxide and other gaseous emissions.
Typically one modern wind turbine produces electricity equivalent to the needs of over 1,000 households.
Wind farms payback the energy used in building the wind farm in around 9 months. This includes all the energy used in quarrying of raw materials, processing, manufacture, transportation and construction.
At the end of the wind turbines life, 25 years, they can be decommissioned quickly and simply, with little disturbance and the site reinstated to its former landscape.
Wind energy projects usually are connected into the local distribution grid reducing transmission losses.
Wind energy projects typically provide for a community fund to be spent in the local area. This could be spent on energy efficiency measures in local homes and businesses, or on any other worthwhile community project. We would like your suggestions on what you think would be a worthwhile community benefit project.
The British Isles is the windiest place in Europe, with 40% of the whole of Europe’s wind resource.
There are currently 152 wind farms operational across the UK, providing energy equivalent to the demand of over 1,200,000 homes.
Wind turbines are growing in size and power output, and are therefore delivering larger percentages of UK demand. Wind power now provides over 2% of the UK’s electricity supply and this is set to grow significantly over the coming years.
Wind turbines are relatively straight forward to transport, construct and decommission and if sited correctly have limited environmental impacts (being easily offset by the benefits).
It is expected that Sixpenny Wood Wind Farm could provide electricity equivalent to the demand of up to 12,800 homes, equivalent to 9% of dwellings in East Riding.
For other facts and figures go to links and downloads.
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