by Justin Thompson

Created on: February 08, 2008

Windmills were first used in the 1180's for the purpose of grinding flour, and pumping water to irrigate land. They were often used in the North American west to pump water over long distances. Nowadays many nations are trying to harness wind power and convert it into electricity. The way in which this process works is the blades on the windmill are rotated, which turns the wind turbine. The wind turbine converts kinetic energy into mechanical power, then a generator converts the mechanical power into electricity. After this process the electricity is stored in batteries and power grids. Many small countries are taking advantage of wind power. They are able to construct off shore windmills to produce electricity without using there valuable land. They erect the off shore windmills in shallow waters off of there shores.

The reason for this is the increasing fossil fuel prices, along with the diminishing supply of fossil fuels worldwide. Other reasons are because fossil fuels cause pollution and an all around deterioration of the planet. The world is trying to move into an ecologically friendly era, for what they feel is good reason. This is the purpose for the recent movement of people demanding a clean energy source. Windmills are one of many answers to the energy crisis that face us during these modernistic times.

What are the benefits of wind energy? Wind energy is one way of producing renewable, ample energy for as long as the wind blows. The production of windmills, and wind energy causes no uncleanness to our planet. It causes no greenhouse gas's and when a windmill becomes defective and unusable it can be recycled for other uses.

Well what are the downsides many would ask? Windmills can be very costly ranging from $45,000-$50,000. They are usually very large, the larger of the windmills are usually ranging around the size of a 20 story building. Occasionally there have been incidents of people who live near a wind farm complaining of the discord the windmills present. Most of the time windmills are noiseless but in some cases they have been known to give off unpleasant noise. There have also been many communities that dislike the idea of occupying and enveloping there property and there surrounding properties with large noisy hard-featured windmills. In these cases the communities have implemented zoning laws to prevent wind farms from being installed.

Is wind power the way into the future? It is very probable and possible but nobody is 100% sure as of right now.

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