In this article, we will take a deep dive into the cool, fun and interesting facts about this renewable energy source that is becoming increasingly popular around the world. From the history of wind power to its modern-day applications, we will cover everything you need to know about this amazing technology. So, whether you’re a student, a researcher or simply someone curious about the world around us, join us on this journey of discovery and learn some exciting new facts about wind energy!
Facts about Wind Energy
- Wind energy is the fastest-growing source of renewable energy in the world. According to the Global Wind Energy Council, the world installed 93 GW of new wind power capacity in 2020, bringing the total global capacity to over 743 GW.
- Wind energy is a cost-effective form of electricity generation. The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for onshore wind power has declined by 70% since 2010 making it cheaper than coal, natural gas and nuclear power in many regions of the world. In 2020, the LCOE for onshore wind power was between $26 and $54 per megawatt-hour (MWh) globally while the LCOE for coal-fired power was between $66 and $152 per MWh.
- Wind energy is a major source of electricity in many countries. Denmark is the world leader in wind energy, with wind power accounting for 47% of its electricity consumption in 2020. Other countries with high levels of wind energy penetration include Ireland (36%), Portugal (27%), Spain (21%) and Germany (18%).
- Wind turbines can be installed on land or offshore. Offshore wind power is becoming increasingly popular due to its higher wind speeds and reduced visual impact. In 2020, the global offshore wind capacity reached 35 GW with the largest installations in the United Kingdom, China, Germany and Denmark.
- Wind energy can provide significant environmental benefits. According to the International Energy Agency, wind energy is responsible for avoiding over 1.1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, equivalent to the emissions of over 280 coal-fired power plants. In addition, wind power avoids the release of other harmful pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
- Wind energy has the potential to provide a significant portion of the world’s electricity needs. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, wind power could supply up to 26% of global electricity demand by 2050, with the potential to create over 3.3 million jobs worldwide.
- Wind energy can be integrated with other forms of renewable energy to create a more reliable and resilient electricity grid. In some regions, wind power and solar power are complementary as wind turbines generate more electricity at night when solar panels are not producing power.
- The United States is one of the largest producers of wind energy in the world with a total installed capacity of over 118 GW as of 2020. Texas is the leading state in wind energy production with over 31 GW of installed capacity.
- Wind energy has a high capacity factor meaning it generates electricity consistently throughout the year. The global average capacity factor for onshore wind turbines was 24% in 2019 while the capacity factor for offshore wind turbines was 38%.
- Wind energy can provide economic benefits to local communities. According to the American Wind Energy Association, wind energy projects have provided over $1 billion in lease payments to landowners in the United States. In addition, wind energy projects can create jobs in construction, operations and maintenance.
- Wind turbines have a relatively small footprint compared to other forms of electricity generation. The land use intensity of wind turbines is around 1-2.5 hectares per megawatt of capacity compared to 9-18 hectares per megawatt for coal-fired power plants.
- The materials used to manufacture wind turbines are recyclable and the turbines themselves have a long lifespan. A typical wind turbine can operate for 20-25 years and at the end of its life up to 85% of the materials can be recycled.
- The cost of wind energy is expected to continue to decline in the coming years. The International Renewable Energy Agency projects that the LCOE for onshore wind power could fall by a further 30-50% by 2030.
- Wind energy can help to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and increase energy security. In 2020, wind energy accounted for around 7% of global electricity generation and its share is expected to grow in the coming years.
- In 2019, the world’s largest offshore wind turbine was installed off the coast of Scotland. The turbine stands 260 meters tall making it taller than the Eiffel Tower.
- The noise produced by wind turbines has been compared to the sound of a refrigerator or a library. However, some people find the sound of wind turbines soothing and some companies have even created wind turbine sound machines for relaxation and meditation.
- In some regions, wind turbines have become popular tourist attractions. The Tehachapi Pass Wind Farm in California, for example, offers guided tours and attracts visitors from around the world.
- Wind turbines have been used in art installations and even as musical instruments. The Aeolian Harp Wind Pavilion in Canada uses wind turbines to create music while the Wind Wand in New Zealand is a large-scale sculpture that changes color depending on the wind speed.
- In some cases, wind turbines have been used to power unconventional objects such as an ice cream van in Scotland or a Christmas tree in Denmark.
- In 2018, a Scottish man named Ian Hamilton used a miniature wind turbine to power his electric bicycle on a 7,200-mile journey from Scotland to Mongolia.
- In 2017, a group of Norwegian engineers created a giant wind turbine to generate electricity from ocean winds. The turbine is 533 meters tall making it almost twice the height of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
- In 2016, a group of Dutch scientists created a wind-powered bike that can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h (50 mph) in strong winds.
- In 2015, a German man named Dirk Auer set a world record for the fastest speed on a wind-powered skateboard reaching a top speed of 147 km/h (91 mph).
- In 2014, a group of students from the University of Maryland created a wind-powered vehicle called the “Wind Explorer” which traveled 3,000 miles across Australia using only wind power.
- In 2012, a group of engineers from the University of Twente in the Netherlands created a wind-powered machine that can produce bubbles in a lake or river to oxygenate the water and promote fish growth.
- The largest wind turbine manufacturer in the world is Vestas, a Danish company that has installed over 117 GW of wind capacity in 81 countries.
- Wind energy has the potential to supply up to 40 times the amount of electricity that the world currently consumes. According to a study by the Stanford University Global Climate and Energy Project, the earth’s surface could generate 72 TW of wind power which is more than five times the amount of energy used globally in 2019.
- The largest wind farm in the world is the Gansu Wind Farm in China which has a total installed capacity of 20 GW and covers an area of over 70,000 hectares.
- Offshore wind turbines can generate up to 50% more electricity than onshore turbines due to the stronger and more consistent wind speeds at sea.
- The first wind turbine used to generate electricity was built in 1888 in Cleveland, Ohio. The turbine was designed by Charles F. Brush and had a rotor diameter of 17 meters.
- Wind energy has the potential to create a significant number of jobs. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the wind energy sector employed over 1.2 million people globally in 2020 with the potential to create millions more jobs in the coming years.
- In 2020, the world’s largest floating wind farm was launched off the coast of Scotland. The farm which consists of five turbines can generate enough electricity to power 20,000 homes.
- The use of wind energy for mechanical purposes dates back to ancient times. The first known wind-powered device was a sailboat invented by the ancient Egyptians around 3,500 BCE.
- In the Middle Ages, windmills were used throughout Europe to grind grains, pump water and perform other tasks. By the 19th century, windmills had become a common sight in rural areas of Europe and North America.
- In the early 20th century, wind turbines were used primarily for electricity generation in remote areas where grid power was not available. In the United States, small wind turbines were used to power rural homes and farms.
- The first large-scale wind turbine was built in Vermont in 1941. The turbine had a rotor diameter of 59 feet and could generate up to 1.25 megawatts of power.
- In the 1970s, the oil crisis and concerns about air pollution led to a surge of interest in wind energy. The first modern wind turbines were developed during this time and the first large-scale wind farms were built in California.
- In the 1980s and 1990s, wind energy continued to grow in popularity as concerns about climate change and the environmental impact of fossil fuels became more pronounced. During this time, many countries established policies to promote renewable energy including wind power.
- The blades of modern wind turbines are typically made of fiberglass, carbon fiber or other lightweight materials. The longest wind turbine blade in the world is 774 feet (236 meters) long.
- Some wind turbines are equipped with radar systems that can detect and track birds and bats to prevent collisions. The radar can detect flying objects up to 10 km away and adjust the turbine’s operation to avoid bird and bat migration paths.
- The world’s first floating wind turbine was installed off the coast of Norway in 2009. Floating wind turbines can be placed in deeper waters than fixed-bottom turbines where wind speeds are typically stronger and more consistent.
- Offshore wind energy is expected to become a major source of electricity in the coming years. According to the International Energy Agency, offshore wind energy could generate 18 times the current global electricity demand by 2040.
- Scientists are exploring new ways to make wind turbines more efficient such as using biomimicry to mimic the shape and movement of bird wings.
- As wind energy becomes more widespread, there is increasing interest in using artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize wind farm operations and increase energy output.
- Advances in energy storage technology are making it possible to store excess wind energy for use during times when wind speeds are low. This could help address one of the biggest challenges of wind energy: the variability of wind speeds.
- The use of 3D printing technology is allowing wind turbine manufacturers to create more complex and efficient turbine components reducing costs and increasing energy output.
- Some companies are exploring the use of kite-based wind energy systems which use kites to capture wind energy at higher altitudes where wind speeds are stronger and more consistent.
- Wind energy is also becoming more accessible to consumers through community wind projects which allow groups of individuals or businesses to jointly invest in and benefit from wind energy production.
- Offshore wind turbines are typically much larger than onshore wind turbines with some reaching heights of up to 600 feet (182 meters) and rotor diameters of up to 500 feet (152 meters).