Is it worth having wind turbines?

Answer 1

The simple answer is 'yes' of course they are -- but the reason many people don't buy and install large or small scale wind turbines is because too many reports base their decision on whether they are 'cost-effective' rather than whether or not they save 'energy'.

This slightly detracts from the idea that we as a society are all supposed to be 'saving energy' and turns it into whether or not you personally are 'saving money'.

If you genuinely want to live a more sustainable life then you should either buy or build your own wind turbine to reduce your dependence on fossil fuels -- and help reduce the need (or excuse) for the government to build new coal-fired power stations.

I am well aware that there a financial constraints for all areas of our lives -- including kids, holidays and mortgages -- but if you have made a conscious effort to reduce your energy consumption then a wind turbine will of course take ages to 'earn it's cost back' -- as you are using less energy!

Wind turbines are more 'cost effective' if you use a lot of electricity on washing, drying, console games and heating and plan to continue to do so -- as you will see the savings rack up a lot faster than those who are more energy-conscious.

So in my book, if you want to have an eco-friendly house -- the cost shouldn't be the main issue.

So, How Do Wind Turbines Work?

It all depends on something we have a lot of -- and it's free and carbon, nitrogen and methane free!

Wind turbines -- as their name suggests -- harness the power of the wind (which is free and ever coming) which in turn, rotate specially shaped wind turbine blades. This rotation transfers the energy from the blowing wind down into a turbine which changes it into another energy -- electricity.

Depending on the size of the turbine and the strength and continued blowing of the wind you will produce more or less energy. I have seen small wind turbines on canal boats and residential wind turbines on garage roofs and sides of houses, larger ones in stables and in gardens, and of course ginormous wind turbines in large scale establishments or in wind farms.

Now, you can use that energy as it is created and store 'spare' energy to use later in special batteries or, you can let excess electricity be pumped back into the National Electricity Grid -- and get paid for it!