Disadvantages of Wind Power for Homeowners
There are many myths surrounding the use of wind power for energy, many of them repeated endlessly by the media. A bit of investigation, however, reveals that a lot of the data the reports rely on is flawed, and some of it can be traced back to interest groups with a connection to fossil fuel.
There are, however, some true problems with wind power, particularly as it concerns homeowners. Many of these problems can and will be addressed by advances in the technology, especially since wind power has taken a back seat to the modern electrical energy grid and has therefore has had very little financial incentive for researchers to tackle the problems.
The main disadvantage of wind power is that the wind doesn't blow consistently. That means that when there is little or no wind, there is little or no power generation. However, wind is fairly predicatable, particularly in some parts of the world where the influences are mostly local. Also, advances in battery technology mean that it is fairly easy to store wind energy when it is blowing and keep it for use at low-wind times.
During storms and such, the amount of energy that is created by the wind can be quite high. At these times, even battery storage can be overwhelmed. Many residential wind systems are tied into the existing grid, and the excess electricity is actually sold back to the power utility. Imagine getting paid by your local power company instead of owing them!
The main disadvantage to residential wind power is that ground level wind is quite turbulent, and can wreak havoc on the mechanics of the wind turbine. That is why most wind power devices you see are mounted high on poles or trusses; the higher the altitude, the more steadily and strong the wind blows. That means that you need to be able to put your wind turbine at least 30 feet above the highest obstruction, including trees and rooftops. Obviously this is not very practical for residents of cities and towns.
With the world's ever-increasing demand of power being more than its supply, it is about time that we take concrete steps to save power. Apart from being conscious about the usage of power and water at home, one can employ
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For homeowners wind power solutions currently come in two varieties: purchased and self-generated. Wind farms are becoming more commonplace now, and the electricity generated by them is sold on the market often in
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The other main disadvantage of wind power is that it is not widely accepted in many places yet. Opposition to wind farms or even single wind turbines ranges from concern to birds to noise issues to aesthitic considerations. The first two are misguided; bird deaths from wind turbines are extremely rare, and nowhere near the daily slaughter that occurs as a result of birds hitting office windows, particularly ones that are left lit at dusk and dawn. The issue of noise is again a bit of a myth. Yes, some of the older wind units created a kind of mechanical whine, but today's units are sleek and quiet, even in a high wind. In fact, the general noise of wind in the trees will drown out any sound emanating from the turbine.
Aesthetic concern about wind farms is valid. If you have ever seen a full-scale wind farm it is quite a sight to behold. Some consider it beautiful, others an eyesore. But if you have ever been in Los Angeles during a smog you know what the alternative looks, and smells, like.
For the average homeowner, careful consideration of the site is required before planning a wind turbine installation. If the wind is too turbulent, or there is simply not enough of an average wind speed, then wind power is not going to be a good solution for that home.