RENEWABLE SOURCES OF
ENERGY
Wind power
Renewable sources of energy
Renewable sources of
energy are the sources
that are never exhausted,
such as geothermal
energy,hydroelectric
energy,solar energy, wind
power etc. They are
friendly to the environment
and very useful to people.
Wind power
Wind is a renewable
source of energy
which can be used in
producing electricity.
The use of wind
power does not
create pollution as do
the power plants.
History of wind powerThis type of power is also called ‘Aeolian power’ because
in ancient Greek mythology Aeolos was the god of wind.
Wind power was first exploited in sailing vessels used by
the ancient Greeks. As wind was blowing in the sails, it
gave the ship the necessary power to move.
Later the people exploited wind power with the creation of windmills which they used to grind wheat and make flour.
During the last 25 years
power generators
have been created,
their design based on
windmills ,but for a
different use ,that is
the production of
electric power. The
use of wind power
generators resulted in
the reduction of
pollution.
AdvantagesFirst, wind power generators
have replaced power
plants which produced
waste and fumes and now
it is them that produce
‘green’ electric power.
Besides it is a renewable
source of energy and it is
inexhaustible.
DisadvantagesOn the other hand wind power generators may kill
or injure the migrating birds. What is more they
cause noise pollution which means that they should be installed far from housing areas.
Finally the construction and maintenance cost is
too high for the amount of energy they produce.
The wind power in my area
In eastern Macedonia and Thrace there are two important wind farms and
one more is going to be built:
1)The wind farm of Psili Rahi was built in 2009. In it there are 12 wind
power generators. It is an important source of energy for the residents
of Drama.
2)The wind farm of Adriani.
3)The offshore wind farm in Lemnos is going to be built soon. It will be the
third biggest wind farm in the world and there will be put 81 wind
power generators which will generate 1,692.3 GWh every year.