Wind Energy Pros and Cons
Last updated March 23, 2015 by Mathias Aarre Maehlum
This article contains the most important facts about wind power that should be included on any balanced wind energy pros and cons list. Everything you are about to read is properly referenced at the bottom of this page.
See in-depth explanations further down. Let`s start with a quick overview:
Pros of Wind Energy
1. Wind energy is a green energy source and does not cause pollution.
2. The potential of wind power is enormous – 20 times more than what the entire human population needs.[1]
3. Wind power is renewable and there is no way we can run out of it (since wind energy originates from the sun).
4. Wind turbines are incredible space-efficient. The largest of them generate enough electricity to power 600 U.S. homes.[2]
5. Wind power only accounts for about 2.5% of total worldwide electricity production, but is growing at a promising rate of 25% per year (2010).[3]
6. Prices have decreased over 80% since 1980 and are expected to keep decreasing.[4]
7. The operational costs associated with wind power are low.
8. Good domestic potential: Residential wind turbines yields energy savings and protects homeowners from power outages.
Cons of Wind Energy
1. Wind is a fluctuating (intermittent) source of energy and is not suited to meet the base load energy demand unless some form of energy storage is utilized (e.g. batteries, pumped hydro).
2. The manufacturing and installation of wind turbines requires heavy upfront investments – both in commercial and residential applications.
3. Wind turbines can be a threat to wildlife (e.g. birds, bats).
4. Noise is regularly reported as a problem by neighboring homes.
5. How wind turbines look (aesthetics) is a legitimate concern for some people.
Advantages of Wind Energy
1. Green
Wind energy is a green energy source. Harnessing wind energy does not pollute the environment nearly as much as fossil fuels, coal and nuclear power do.
It is true that the manufacturing, transportation and installation of a wind turbine contributes to global warming slightly, but the electricity production itself does not involve any emissions of climate gases whatsoever.
There are some environmental issues associated with wind energy that we will discuss in the disadvantages section.
2. Enormous Potential
As mentioned in the introduction of this article, the potential of wind power is absolutely incredible. Several independent research teams have reached the same conclusions: The worldwide potential of wind power is more than 400 TW (terawatts).[1]
Harnessing wind energy can be done almost anywhere. Whether or not a resource is financially feasible is another question.
3. Renewable
Wind energy is a renewable source of energy. Wind is naturally occurring and there is no way we can empty the energy resources. Wind energy actually originates from the nuclear fusion processes that take place on the sun.
As long as the sun keeps shining (don`t worry, according to scientists it will for another 6-7 billion years)?, we will be able to harness wind energy on earth. This is not the case for fossil fuels (e.g. oil and natural gas), which our society relies heavily on today.
4. Space-Efficient
The largest wind turbines are capable of generating enough electricity to meet the energy demand of 600 average U.S. homes.[2] The wind turbines can`t be placed too close to each other, but the land in-between can be used for other things. This is why many farms would benefit more from installing wind turbines as opposed to solar panels.
5. Rapid Growth
Although wind power only accounts for about 2.5% of total worldwide electricity production, the capacity is growing at an incredible rate of 25% per year (2010).[3] This does not only contribute in the fight against global warming, but also helps lowering costs:
6. Prices are Decreasing
Prices have decreased over 80% since 1980.[4] Thanks to technological advancements and increased demand, prices are expected keep decreasing in the foreseeable future.
7. Low Operational Costs
It is generally true that operational costs tend to be low once the turbines first have been manufactured and erected. However, not every wind turbine is created equal – some are more susceptible to maintenance than others.
8. Good Domestic Potential
People can generate their own electricity with wind power in much the same manner as people do with the best solar panels (photovoltaics).
Net metering (currently implemented in more than 40 states across the U.S.[5]) allows homeowners to receive bill credits for their excess electricity productionThere is good money to save/earn with residential wind turbines, but maybe the best perks come from not being reliant the utility for electricity, which can protect you from blackouts as well as fluctuating energy prices.
Disadvantages of Wind Energy
1. Unpredictable
Wind is unpredictable and the availability of wind energy is not constant. Wind energy is therefore not well suit