Kevin

= // Introduction to wind energy // = Wind energy is power derived from the wind, and it is used to generate electricity. It is one of the fastest growing methods of generating electricity across the globe due to it being highly efficient, reliable, and totally renewable.

Wind Energy would be the ideal method of providing energy to the island for various reasons. Following is a table listing some of the advantages and disadvantages of wind energy: > renewable; as long as the > wind blows, the turbines > can produce electricity > using wind energy produces > no harmful airborne/water > emissions > additional revenue to farmers > who lease their land for wind > turbines to be built there > economy; in 2006, the industry > contributed $1.6 billion to the > Canadian GDP ||< * The turbines are seen as an > eyesore to some of the residents > living in the area where they are > built > when they fly into them > electricity produced since the > wind doesn't always blow at a > constant rate || As you can see, the advantages are many, and they counter balance the disadvantages of wind energy quite easily. However, there are //many// more advantages to wind energy than listed above; the table just lightly scratches the surface on the many positive aspects of wind energy.
 * ~ Advantages ||~ Disadvantages ||
 * < * Wind energy is completely
 * The production of electricity
 * Wind energy brings in
 * Wind energy supports the
 * The turbines sometimes kill birds
 * There is no set amount of

=//History of wind energy //= People have been using the wind as a source of power for thousands of years; from using it as a means of transportation (the sails on a ship are blown by the wind, and pull the ship in the desired direction, allowing it to move), to utilizing it to help us create food (windmills were in great usage during the Middle Ages for pumping water, and they were also widely used to grind grain. Furthermore, in Canada, windmills were widely used on farmlands in rural areas to pump water as well as generate electricity for the farmhouse.). As you can see, people have been relying on wind energy for a //very// long time! = = 

=//How is wind created?// = <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">As you know by now, wind energy is energy that is captured from moving air. However, you may find yourself asking "how is wind created in the first place?". Well, the answer is ultimately "due to the Sun", but to be more specific, the Sun heats our planet up to different temperatures in different places at different times. Thus, the distribution of heat is unbalanced and unequal. This is what creates the wind, as the warm air rises up towards the atmosphere, leaving a void, the cooler air will rush down to try and fill said void. The wind is the ongoing movement of this air.

=<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">//Well, how is wind __energy__ created?// = <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">We all know wind energy is created by turbines that generate electricity, but how does it all work? Well, the turbines have larges blades which are attached to a horizontal shaft on the top of a tall tower. As the wind blows, the blades on the turbine move, which in turn, causes the shaft to rotate. The shaft is attached to a generator inside the head of the turbine, which generates electricity as the shaft turns. The generator is attached to wires, which run down the length of the tower, and pass the electricity generated off to transmission lines which will carry the electricity off to the community. For a more in-depth analysis of how wind energy is created, please view the embedded video:

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=<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">//Why wind energy over any source of electricity?// = <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Still skeptical on wind energy? You maybe saying "well that's all nice, but why exactly, is wind energy right for me?". Well, as you know, people have been relying on the wind for thousands of years to get around and to create food, as well as generate electricity. Also, the installation of wind turbines is relatively quick, compared to the facilities that must be built to generate other forms of electricity. Furthermore, with wind energy there is absolutely NO pollution created, only 100% clean electricity. "Well, yeah, it's renewable, but the turbines kill birds! And it must be expensive right? Oh, and it's not 100% efficient!" Yes, wind energy is renewable, and the turbines may kill birds, but that is not the turbine's fault; it's the bird's fault for flying into the blades. Wind energy is also relatively cheaper than other popular forms of renewable energy such as hydro power and //considerably// cheaper compared to solar power. In addition, unlike hydroelectricity which floods a large amount of land, wind energy completely preserves water supplies, and can be used almost anywhere; turbines can be built on land or at sea, and are compatible with other land uses.

=__**Informational Resources**__:= =__Images From:__=
 * Re-Energy.ca - Wind Energy
 * Wind Energy - The Canadian Encyclopedia
 * Wind Energy and Wind Facts - CanWEA
 * [|Capturing the wind - Wind Energy and Wind Facts - CanWEA]
 * Why wind is right - Wind Energy and Wind Facts - CanWEA
 * What are the Benefits? - Wind Energy and Wind Facts - CanWEA
 * Title image from Harrogate Borough Council - Wind Energy. uploaded to ImageShack
 * Boat picture from Kennebec Captain
 * Windmill picture from Spanish Table in Seattle

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