Page 1

The Benefits of
Wind Energy
and its Importance
By: Gabe Castillo

Source
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Table of Contents

Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………pg.3
Wind Energy vs. Other energy sources…………………………………………………pg.3-4
Renewable Energy vs Non-Renewable Energy………………………………pg.3
Benefits of Wind Energy in the Renewable Energy
Field……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………pg.4
What is Wind Energy?……………………………………………………………………………………………pg.53-4
Wind Energy Basics………………………………………………………………………………………pg.53
Why is Wind Energy Important?……Important?
………………………………………………………pg.54
Wind Energy Wind Energy Will Solve Climate
Changebenefits…………………………………………………………………………………………………pg.64-5
Wind Energy Statistics………………………………………………………………………………pg.64
Wind Energy vs. Other energy sources…………………………………………………pg.5-7
Renewable Energy vs Non-Renewable Energy………………………………pg.5
Benefits of Wind Energy in the Renewable Energy
Field……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………pg.7
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………pg.6-7
References……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………pg.8
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Abstract
As technology advances and grows, so does our need for more
energy. Electricity is used in
our everyday liveslives,
and we have become more
reliant on it since its
introduction. Since then,
there have been many
technological advancements
that have shown new ways to
create energy in our ever
growingever-growing world.
Some of these advancements
are safer than others, as
well as more
environmentally friendly. Out of all the renewable energy sources,
wWind eEnergy is at the top for sustainability and safeness, due to
its nonexistent carbon footprint. This renewable energy source will
help solve the battle against climate change..
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Source

Wind Energy vs. Other Energy Sources

Renewable Energy vs Non-Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is classified as clean energy. Renewable energy is
the energy we derive from Earth’s natural resources. Wind, water, and
the sun are examples of renewable sources. Non-renewable energy is
classified as non-replenishable. Coal, oil, and natural gas are
examples of this. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. The use of fossil
fuels, which is a non-renewable source, is hazardous to the
environment and is “the top cause of carbon emissions in the U.S.
comes from electricity generation produced by burning fossil fuels in
nonrenewable power plants.“ (Just Energy, 2021) The release of carbon
dioxide, which is classified as a greenhouse gas emission, has many
harmful effects to the environment and our well-being. “Acid rain,
smog, soot, toxic air emissions, congenital disabilities, cancer,
changes in sea level, cold snaps, droughts, hurricanes, melting
glaciers, and wildfires” (Just Energy, 2021) are all examples of
negative effects. Switching to renewable sources is proven to help
slow climate change. “Wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar, nuclear,
hydrogen, and wave” (Just Energy, 2021) are some examples of
sustainable renewable energy sources. These sources are steadily
growing and improving.

The use of renewable energy not only benefits the environment, but our
society as a whole. One benefit to using renewable energy is lowered
utility bill costs. Installing solar panels on top of homes and
businesses greatly reduces the amount of needed energy from
 Page 5

nonrenewable energy power plants, thus cutting costs. Renewable energy

jobs are rapidly growing and expanding worldwide, with “China being
the clean energy employment leader providing around 4+ million jobs in
the industry.” (Just Energy, 2021) The effort put into investing in
renewable energy sources will benefit and improve our daily lives,
especially in big cities. Smog and other pollutants that are released
into the air can be lowered by investing in electric cars and buses.
This not only reduces the amount of carbon emissions in the air, but
it also increases visibility as well as lessens the possible health
risks, such as cancer.

Benefits of Wind Energy in the Renewable Energy

Field
Wind energy is the renewable energy with the most opportunities
available. Compared to other renewable energy sources, wind power is
the most cost effective. Compared to all sources of energy, “wind is
one of the lowest-priced energy sources available today, costing 1–2
cents per kilowatt-hour after the production tax credit.” (Energy.Gov,
2022) Wind energy also creates the most jobs in the industry. It’s one
the fastest growing jobs, employing “more than 100,000 workers”
(Energy.Gov, 2022) in the United States. Wind energy is also the most
flexible, for turbines can be built on existing farms or ranches. This
greatly benefits the economy in rural areas, “where most of the best
wind sites are found. Farmers and ranchers can continue to work the
land because the wind turbines use only a fraction of the land.”
(Energy.Gov, 2022) Wind plant owners can make rent payments to the
farmer or rancher for the use of the land, providing landowners with
additional income.

What is Wind Energy?

Wind Energy Basics

Within the modern wind energy industry, there are two types of
turbines used across the world. The most common being Horizontal-Axis
Turbines. These turbines “are what many people picture when thinking
of wind turbines. Most commonly, they have three blades and operate
"upwind," with the turbine pivoting at the top of the tower so the
blades face into the wind”.
(Mikoley, 2020) The second most
common
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type of turbine is the Vertical-Axis

turbine. These turbines come in several varieties, and “are
omnidirectional, meaning they don’t need to be adjusted to point into
the wind to operate.” (Mikoley, 2020) Both Horizontal and Vertical
turbines are built on land and in bodies of water, such as oceans and
lakes.

Source

Why is Wind Energy Important?

Wind energy is important due to many factors. Wind energy is
classified as a renewable energy source, meaning it is “inexhaustible
and non pollutingnon-polluting”. (Acciona, 2022) Some benefits of wind
powered energy include that it reduces the use of fossil fuels, which
is a leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions. Wind energy also
reduces the amount of energy imports, due to the costs of importing
oil overseas. Investing in wind energy also “creates wealth and local
employment” (Acciona, 2022) for surrounding areas. Unlike traditional
methods of energy development, wind energy does not emit toxic
substances or contaminants. These contaminants found in other sources
“can acidify land and water ecosystems, andecosystems and corrode
buildings. Air contaminants can trigger heart disease, cancer and
respiratory diseases like asthma”. (Acciona, 2022) Wind energy also
does not generate any waste or contaminate water sources. This is
helpful in deserted areas where water could be scarce.
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Wind Energy BenefitsWill Solve Climate

Change

Wind Energy Statistics

Source
Wind energy is a quickly
growing renewable energy
source. Within the United
States, “wind capacity
increased by 203.5% between
2010 and 2020, a 12% average
annual increase.” (Center of
Sustainable Systems, 2022)
More than 60,000 wind
turbines have been installed
and are being utilized in the
US. Out of the 50 states,
Texas, Iowa, and Oklahoma are
the leading states in capacity, with Iowa leading 57% of the state’s
electricity on wind. (Center of Sustainable Systems, 2022) Because of
these wind turbines, the US avoided an “estimated 198 million metric
tons of CO2 emissions.” (Center of Sustainable Systems, 2022) This is
a step in the right direction for helping save the environment from
climate change. Wind energy is also helping the economy in several
countries. As of 2019, there are over 120,000 full-time wind industry
employees. (Center of Sustainable Systems, 2022) Wind farmers benefit
from this as well, providing a stable lease payment income or around
3,000 a month. (Center of Sustainable Systems, 2022) These statistics
show that wind energy is an ever-growing, stable, and rapidly
expanding industry with many benefits from the environment to the
economy, which helps solve the issue of .combatting climate change.
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Wind Energy vs. Other Energy Sources

Renewable Energy vs Non-Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is classified as clean energy. Renewable energy
is the energy we derive from Earth’s natural resources. Wind, water,
and the sun are examples of renewable sources. Non-renewable energy is
classified as non-replenishable. Coal, oil, and natural gas are
examples of this. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. The use of fossil
fuels, which is a non-renewable source, is hazardous to the
environment and is “the top cause of carbon emissions in the U.S.
comes from electricity generation produced by burning fossil fuels in
nonrenewable power plants.“ (Just Energy, 2021) The release of carbon
dioxide, which is classified as a greenhouse gas emission, has many
harmful effects to the environment and our well being. “Acid rain,
smog, soot, toxic air emissions, congenital disabilities, cancer,
changes in sea level, cold snaps, droughts, hurricanes, melting
glaciers, and wildfires” (Just Energy, 2021) are all examples of
negative effects. Switching to renewable sources is proven to help
slow climate change. “Wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar, nuclear,
hydrogen, and wave” (Just Energy, 2021) are some examples of
sustainable renewable energy sources. These sources are steadily
growing and improving.
 Page 9

The use of renewable energy not only benefits the environment,

but our society as a whole. One benefit to using renewable energy is
lowered utility bill costs. Installing solar panels on top of homes
and businesses greatly reduces the amount of needed energy from
nonrenewable energy power plants, thus cutting costs. Renewable energy
jobs are rapidly growing and expanding worldwide, with “China being
the clean energy employment leader providing around 4+ million jobs in
the industry.” (Just Energy, 2021) The effort put into investing in
renewable energy sources will benefit and improve our daily lives,
especially in big cities. Smog and other pollutants that are released
into the air can be lowered by investing in electric cars and buses.
This not only reduces the amount of carbon emissions in the air, but
it also increases visibility as well as lessens the possible health
risks, such as cancer.

Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.

Benefits of Wind Energy in the Renewable Energy

Field
Wind energy is the renewable energy with the most opportunities
available. Compared to other renewable energy sources, wind power is
the most cost effective. Compared to all sources of energy, “wind is
one of the lowest-priced energy sources available today, costing 1–2
cents per kilowatt-hour after the production tax credit.” (Energy.Gov,
2022) Wind energy also creates the most jobs in the industry. It’s one
the fastest growing jobs, employing “more than 100,000 workers”
(Energy.Gov, 2022) in the United States. Wind energy is also the most
flexible, for turbines can be built on existing farms or ranches. This
greatly benefits the economy in rural areas, “where most of the best
wind sites are found. Farmers and ranchers can continue to work the
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land because the wind turbines use only a fraction of the land.”
(Energy.Gov, 2022) Wind plant owners can make rent payments to the
farmer or rancher for the use of the land, providing landowners with
additional income.

Conclusion
As the renewable energy field continues to rapidly expand and grow,
wind energy remains as the best choice. As we become more aware of the
dangers of greenhouse gas emissions, wind energy is the right step to
help combat climate
change. It is important
to spread awareness on
the issue of
irreversible global
climate change, for the
future of our society
depends on it. Helping
make changes now will
ensure the wellbeing of
future generations and
our planet.

Source
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References
Advantages and challenges of wind energy. (n.d.). Energy.Gov.
Retrieved June 13, 2022, from
https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/advantages-and-challenges-
wind-energy

Just Energy. (2021, March 1). Renewable energy vs.

Nonrenewable energy. Just Energy.
https://justenergy.com/blog/just-the-facts-renewable-energy-
vs-nonrenewable-energy/

Mikoley, K. (2020). How do wind turbines work? PowerKids

Press.
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What are the benefits of wind power? (n.d.). Acciona.Com.

Retrieved June 13, 2022, from
https://www.acciona.com/renewable-energy/wind-energy/?
_adin=02021864894

Wind energy factsheet. (n.d.). Center for Sustainable Systems.

Retrieved June 13, 2022, from
https://css.umich.edu/publications/factsheets/energy/wind-
energy-factsheet