Wind Energy

[Guillermo]

Do you believe that wind turbines are a profitable and beneficial form of clean energy? Should the U.S. and other countries continue to invest more in this type of energy?

Here are some basic facts if you don't know much about wind energy:

1. (http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-and-you/affect/non-hydro.html#wind)
2. (http://www.awea.org/learnabout/industry_stats/index.cfm)
3. (http://windeis.anl.gov/guide/basics/index.cfm)

[Cicero]

I don't know much about it, but if the benefits outweigh the costs then it doesn't hurt at all.

[Korashk]

Do you believe that wind turbines are a profitable and beneficial form of clean energy? Should the U.S. and other countries continue to invest more in this type of energy?
It's beneficial as a source of clean energy I guess in the sense that it generates clean energy. However the turbines are expensive to make, they're not efficient, they create noise pollution and there are better ways to generate clean energy that don't have these problems.

[Hypers]

in the long run, wind energy is cleaner, and might be profitable.

But as of now, it's still very expensive, does't make enough electricity, and the parts that make the turbines are made in factories that probably aren't green.

[MrMundane]

They should definitely invest more into wind power but it should not be relied on too heavily.

[Harry Smith]

Wind power should be used as a secondary project, we should focus on nuclear fission and nucler fusion. Both are extremely effective, but since japan built one on a fault line people don't tend to trust them

[Taryn98]

I think it's important to continue to do research on wind energy but currently wind power is not cost efficient to compete with coal or nuclear. Wind only exists because of government subsidies right now. I'm sure it will get better in the future though.

[Guillermo]

However the turbines are expensive to make,

This is true for the most part. However, the initial investment is where it's expensive, obviously. And the cost has definitely gone down (http://www.windustry.org/resources/how-much-do-wind-turbines-cost) on a utility scale in previous years.

they're not efficient,

Elaborate on this for me.

they create noise pollution

True again. However, if more research went into this issue, I believe that it could be solved.

and there are better ways to generate clean energy that don't have these problems.

Of course. But does that mean they shouldn't be invested in?

and the parts that make the turbines are made in factories that probably aren't green.

No less greener than having to extract and transfer coal to a factory. The thing is, coal and natural gas are still in abundance and are therefore more cheaper ways to obtain power.

I think it's important to continue to do research on wind energy but currently wind power is not cost efficient to compete with coal or nuclear. Wind only exists because of government subsidies right now. I'm sure it will get better in the future though.

I'll agree that that wind energy needs more research, because of the negative impact on the environment and initial cost, but did you take a look at my second link that I posted? Wind power is a growing investment in the U.S. Private companies are finding it profitable.

[Atonement]

I am a big fan of wind energy. A good chunk of my family works on turbines, so I'm a bit partial.

Recognize though, that the energy produced in one area, doesn't usually benefit that area, except economically. For example, I'm from Iowa, and most of the electricity generate from the turbines in my area is used in Florida.

Also, while I've been in Spain, I've heard of many people opposing wind energy for aesthetic reasons since the ideal places are along mountain ridges here. Since we like pretty landscapes, people aren't too jazzed about the wind farms.

[Magical]

I'm not a large fan. Having a turbine system at sea is very expensive. Wind power is also reliable.

Really we should just go for LFTRs - Liquid Fluorine Thorium Reactors. So much better than uranium energy - darstadly US government for going for the weaponry and not the energy.

Then transition into solar panels in space.

[Korashk]

Elaborate on this for me.
Wind turbines do not operate in a manner that maximizes electricity produced.

Of course. But does that mean they shouldn't be invested in?
Well, yeah. Why would anyone ever invest in a technology when different technology that is better and achieves the same end already exists. There's no reason to focus on wind energy.

I'll agree that that wind energy needs more research, because of the negative impact on the environment and initial cost, but did you take a look at my second link that I posted? Wind power is a growing investment in the U.S. Private companies are finding it profitable.
I haven't looked up the information, but I'd be willing to bet that the reason companies are finding investing in wind power technology is because of government subsidies, which would be absolutely terrible.

[baseballfan]

Wind energy would be great if they can get it going

But that might take a while...


-merged double post. -Emerald Dream

[Guillermo]

Well, yeah. Why would anyone ever invest in a technology when different technology that is better and achieves the same end already exists. There's no reason to focus on wind energy.

Not even if turbines are being researched to make them more efficient and affordable? Because that's what has been happening over the past decade.

I haven't looked up the information, but I'd be willing to bet that the reason companies are finding investing in wind power technology is because of government subsidies, which would be absolutely terrible.

Well, yeah, because of the falling prices and government subsidies. The fact of the matter is that wind energy is starting to become a more common domestic energy source in this U.S. - both offshore and onshore.

[Twilly F. Sniper]

Wind turbines are expensive; however otherwise a good energy source.

[xmojox]

All energy sources should be investigated. The beauty of wind power lies in the fact that you can have your own turbine. They're doing some incredible stuff now with vertical turbines that generate power regardless of wind direction.

[jayyy-lmao]

Do you believe that wind turbines are a profitable and beneficial form of clean energy? Should the U.S. and other countries continue to invest more in this type of energy?


Dude, I live in Ireland. FACT: The west coast of Ireland is so bloody windy all the time.
Wind energy is really useful in my country, being so wet and windy all the time. It pays for itself.

[PerpetualImperfexion]

Hmmm. For me, the question is why. Investing in research for wind energy seems like a fairly good idea, but until the kinks are worked out, I would not endorse using it on even a small scale. Then there's always the issue of those damned birds. I suppose I'll endorse the actual use of it when it's effeciency is greater than that of other energy production methods, such as oil.

[Harry Smith]

As I said before Nuclear Fusion and Fission are a lot better than wind power.

[Human]

We should focus our efforts on nuclear power I think, as it's really the only way forward at the moment...
However wind, tidal, wave etc. renewable sources should make up a big percentage of a counties energy percent so yes we should research into them