College of Engineering – Department of Mechanical Engineering

"Better Health, Environment, and Economy with Wind Energy Sources"

A NARRATIVE REPORT

IN ME-419 – SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY UTILIZATION

Submitted by:
Aldovino, Jaztine Yrra B.

Baris, Von Gerald M.

Cerlos, Marievic P.

Dilag, Sofia Katrina A.

Gonzales, Althea Kaye C.

Mercado, Kristian Cedric P.

Ragusante, Eunice Chloe A.

Umali, John Rhey P.

Submitted to:

Engr. Patrick Joseph N. Baliwag

May 2023
 NARRATIVE REPORT

Climate change is a critical global issue that requires immediate attention and

coordinated efforts to solve its far-reaching implications. Numerous technological

advancements have been designed and developed in order to solve this problem. One of the

many solutions being utilized today is using renewable energy sources. Long-term

sustainability is facilitated by renewable energy sources, which provide less polluting

substitutes for fossil fuels and help to lower greenhouse gas emissions. An example of which

is wind energy sources.

Wind energy is referred to as the utilization of wind turbines to convert air movement

into electrical energy. Wind energy is captured by rotating turbine blades around a rotor,

which powers a generator to produce electricity. Kinetic energy is converted to electricity by

individual wind turbines using the aerodynamic force of their rotor blades. Wind farms are

clusters of turbines that operate simultaneously to generate vast quantities of electricity

(Smoot, 2022).

There are numerous benefits that this renewable energy source can offer. Aside from

it being an environmentally friendly energy source, it can also have a good effect on the

health of all living beings in the world. An overlooked advantage of using wind energy

sources is that it can also have a good effect on the economy. The succeeding paragraphs of

this narrative report will further discuss the advantages of using wind as an energy source.

The most evident and widely known advantage of using wind energy sources is that it

contributes to the betterment of the environment. For many years, it has been normalized to

use fossil fuels as an energy source. However, fossil fuels are non-renewable and too much

usage of it can result in negative environmental effects. Wind, on the other hand, is a clean,

free, and widely accessible renewable energy source. According to a WindEurope (2021)
article, wind energy avoided 118 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in Europe in 2019 and

could reduce emissions by up to 270 million tonnes by 2030. Wind turbines do not produce

greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) or any other sort of airborne pollutants

namely nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur oxide (SOx), or particulate matter (PM) while they are

in operation. These toxic gases and pollutants are harmful to the environment and the fact

that wind energy sources do not emit these makes it a much safer energy source.

Additionally, unlike most other sources of electric power, wind energy has a nearly low water

footprint. Despite there being CO2 emissions resulting from wind turbine building,

transportation, operation, and disassembly, these emissions are compensated for in less than a

year of operation.

Since it is harmless for the environment, it also benefits the wellbeing of all life on

this planet. The latest research published in Science Advances looked at the influence of

wind energy and fossil-fuel-based power plants on the quality of air and medical expenses in

the United States. The researchers examined data from 2011 to 2017 to map contaminants

and their impact on various demographic populations. They discovered that in 2014,

state-level wind power initiatives resulted in a $2 billion increase in air quality across the

nation, with only 30% of these benefits reaching those in economically disadvantaged areas.

According to the study, focusing on reducing the number of emissions from particularly

damaging fossil-fuel power plants during times when there is wind-generated power could

quadruple health advantages nationwide to $8.4 billion. In general, the use of wind energy as

a clean and renewable source of energy provides substantial benefits for public health,

including improved air quality, lower healthcare expenses, and minimizing the effects of

climate change on people's well-being (Chu, 2022).

In line with this, nations that have adapted to using wind energy stated that this safer

energy source can also be considered economically advantageous. An article written by Eric
Koons (2022) evaluated how opting to a more wind energy source centric country Philippines

can help its economy. Wind energy has significant potential as a renewable energy source in

the Philippines due to the country's favorable geographical and climatic conditions. The

Philippines is situated in a region with consistent and strong wind patterns, particularly along

its coastal areas and mountainous regions. The country benefits from the Amihan and

Habagat winds, which blow from the northeast and southwest, respectively. These winds

create ample opportunities for harnessing wind energy. The Philippines also has a diverse

topography that includes mountain ranges, hills, and coastal areas. These features provide

ideal locations for wind farms, as wind speeds tend to increase as the elevation rises and are

generally higher near the coast. Moreover, with its extensive coastline and many offshore

islands, the Philippines has great potential for offshore wind energy development since

offshore wind farms can harness stronger and more consistent winds, which can lead to

higher energy production compared to onshore wind farms.

Currently, the Philippines is one of the countries that heavily rely on imported fossil

fuels for its energy needs. Emphasizing wind energy can help diversify the energy mix and

reduce dependence on external sources. By utilizing its domestic wind resources, the

Philippines can enhance energy security and reduce vulnerability to volatile global fuel

prices. By transitioning to wind power, the Philippines can reduce its carbon footprint and

mitigate the environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel combustion.

Furthermore, developing wind energy projects can stimulate local economies and

create job opportunities. Construction, operation, and maintenance of wind farms require

skilled labor, thus supporting employment and economic growth in the region.

On the other hand, it is also stated in the article that despite the immense potential,

there are challenges to be addressed for the effective deployment of wind energy in the

Philippines. These challenges include grid integration, transmission infrastructure

development, regulatory frameworks, community engagement, and financing. However, with

proper planning, policies, and investments, the Philippines can harness wind energy to meet

its growing energy demand while reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to a

more sustainable future.

Since onshore and offshore wind energy in the Philippines are significantly

underutilized, in order to counter these challenges, the wind energy sector is expanding as the

nation works towards achieving its renewable energy goals and aspires for 15.3 GW of

renewable energy capacity by 2030. This involves the development of significant wind farms,

notably the biggest one in Southeast Asia. By 2027, the government's renewable energy

initiative intends to increase the current wind energy capacity by 2,345 MW. A significant

opportunity exists for both domestic and international investors and developers considering

the country's estimated offshore wind potential of 178 GW. The Philippines' substantial need

for electricity, ambitious renewable energy objectives, and high energy costs all add to the

industry's allure. Wind energy is particularly appealing due to these factors.

Wind energy becomes a viable and cost-effective answer to the world's energy needs

by combining its advantages for the economy, the environment, and the well-being of

humanity. Its broad use promotes economic development and resilience in addition to helping

to keep the world cleaner and healthier. Thus, adopting wind energy is a significant move

toward a more sustainable and affluent future that benefits both present and future

generations to come.
 INSIGHTS AND OPINIONS

“This report has further widened my knowledge with regards to wind energy and its

possibility of being further enhanced and developed in our country. With the Philippine’s

economic standing right now, it is difficult to imagine the transition to renewable energy

sources but it is not impossible. Looking at the bigger picture, the advantages of utilizing

wind energy as an alternate source to fossil fuels outweigh the difficulties that will be faced.”

– Jaztine Yrra B. Aldovino

“As a member of modern civilization, I am well aware of how electricity has become a

necessity for daily living. Given that wind is a sort of renewable energy that is simple to

obtain, using wind energy to meet needs has a lot of promise. The narrative report talked

about several technological developments with a focus on wind energy conversion

technologies. Focusing on this area, in my opinion, will make life easier and encourage more

productive work, particularly if wind energy conversion devices are developed with lower

costs and higher efficiency.”

– Von Gerald M. Baris

“Acquiring knowledge about wind energy systems has made me realize its immense potential

of being a primary energy source in the Philippines which could greatly contribute to

economic prosperity and significantly lessen environmental impact. Some key points

regarding the potential of wind energy in the Philippines are the following: abundant wind

resources, suitable geographical features, offshore wind potential, contribution to energy

security, environmental benefits, and job creation and local development. I believe that we

should focus on the development of this field to satiate the Philippines’ energy demands in an

environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach.”

– Marievic P. Cerlos
“Creating a narrative report about the advantages of utilizing wind energy has made me

realize how this alternative could be a game changer for the betterment of the environment.

At present, fossil fuels as an energy source is still prevalent in all parts of the world, however,

I think if humanity will be educated on the benefits of using renewable energy sources, like

wind, we could move towards a greener and safer world. Not only is this good for the

environment, but it could also be of help in improving a nation’s economy. The Philippines

should not take for granted the resources that the country has. It can greatly help the whole

nation if we reduce our fossil fuel consumption and finally choose safer options for energy

sources. It is never too late to start creating new habits and trends especially if it has great

benefits in the long run.”

– Sofia Katrina A. Dilag

“Opting for alternative inexhaustible energy sources with minimal environmental impact has

been extensively explored globally due to the declining supply of fossil fuels, deteriorating

environmental conditions, and escalating demand for energy use. Utilizing wind energy is

one of those with significant potential as an alternative to dependence on fossil fuels. The

narrative report placed a strong emphasis on the benefits of using wind energy, and it can be

inferred that these benefits far exceed the drawbacks, particularly over the long term. Wind

energy harnessing, in my view, will be an economically viable venture for the country if

thorough analysis and effective management are conducted. Wind energy systems, given the

Philippines’ advantageous location and topographic condition for wind harnessing, could be

the key to reliable, economical, and sustainable energy in the years to come.”

– Althea Kaye C. Gonzales

“Learning about wind energy has helped me widen my perspective about renewable and safe

energy. Wind energy on its own has a lot of intricacies that should be considered when it
comes to the design, its location, the materials to be used and the positioning that should be

considered when it comes to the turbines. But such complexities make it possible to form a

much greener solution towards a future that is fit to combat global warming. As a Mechanical

Engineering student, it is important that knowledge when it comes to renewable energy must

be learned and understood as this encompasses the essence of being an engineer, which is to

solve problems with solutions that are analytical, economical and specific.”

– Kristian Cedric P. Mercado

“ The narrative report clearly stated the advantages of the utilization of renewable energy,

specifically, wind energy. It discussed the economic, environmental, and technological

desirability of renewable wind energy, and has made me realize and see how wind energy

will play a vital role in human life later on if non-renewable energy starts to decline. As of

now, the most used energy sources in the world are fossil fuels, and the continuous harm it

gives to the environment and public health and safety is quite alarming. Thus, there should be

a global shift to clean energy such as wind energy considering that renewable energy is

comparable to non-renewables in terms of electricity generation. Furthermore, the abundance

of wind, its cleanliness, and sustainability make it a great option for energy production. ”

– Eunice Chloe A. Ragusante

“Renewable energy has become the most widely used alternative source of energy as a

replacement for fossil fuels which is a major source of energy and is continuously decreasing

its supply due to the high demand. Wind energy is one of the renewable energy that engineers

and scientist is continuously experimenting. The advantage of was heavily emphasized in the

narrative report, and it may be assumed that these advantages has greatly outweigh the its

disadvantages. In my personal point of view, wind energy is a very efficient and

economically helpful in terms of harnessing energy, especially to those country that wants to
transition from being fossil-fuel energy based country. As a future engineer, learning on how

to utilize and harness the renewable energy is very important, to help resolve the

environmental problem that Earth is currently facing. ”

– John Rhey P. Umali

REFERENCES

[1] Chu, J. (2022). Wind energy is healthier for us, here's why. World Economic Forum.

Retrieved May 18, 2023 from

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/12/wind-energy-healthier-human-us/

[2] Koons, E. (2022). What Is the Future for Wind Energy in the Philippines? Energy Tracker

Asia. Retrieved May 18, 2023 from

https://energytracker.asia/wind-energy-in-the-philippines/

[3] Smoot, G. (2022). Wind Energy Explained: All You Need to Know. Impactful Ninja.

Retrieved May 18, 2023 from https://impactful.ninja/wind-energy-explained/

[4] WindEurope (2021). Wind energy and the environment. Retrieved May 18, 2023 from

https://windeurope.org/about-wind/wind-energy-and-the-environment/