Did you know that it is also possible to obtain electricity from the wind? That's right! This energy produced by air movement is called wind energy, which is nothing more than the use of the force that the winds have for the activation of electric energy generators.
THE wind energy is considered a clean source of energy because, unlike other energy resources, it does not emits pollutants into the air, thus avoiding the aggravation of environmental problems at the local level and global. Another advantage of wind energy is that winds are sources renewable of energy, that is, they do not deplete with their use, and can always be used.
The use of wind energy for the production of electricity usually happens as follows:
a) some wind farms are formed by equipment calledwind turbines, a kind of “giant pinwheel” composed of three propellers and structured in a very light material, which is easily displaced by the force of the wind.
b) when the winds circulate over the area where the wind turbines are located, their propellers start to move, also turning a generator inside the equipment. This instrument has the function of transforming this circular movement (mechanical energy) into electricity.
c) the energy produced by the wind farms is directed to a transformer and then to the high voltage network, where it is conducted to substations, which have the function of taking all this electricity to homes and other places.
Wind farm in operation in the city of Coachella, in the state of California (USA)
As we have already said, this form of energy production does not emit pollutants into the atmosphere, but that does not mean that there are no downsides. Between the disadvantages of wind energy, we can mention its high cost of production, the noise produced in nearby areas and that generate a lot of discomfort, interference in aircraft routes and in the migration of birds, among others cases. However, these problems are less than those that exist in other energy sources.
Among the countries that most use wind energy in the world, the United States is in the first position, producing more than 35,000 megawatts (MW) per year. Soon after comes China, Germany and Spain, which also use this energy resource in large quantities.
Brazil, in turn, has a high potential to produce energy from winds, mainly in the coastal areas of the Northeast region and also in some areas in the interior of Bahia and of Minas Gerais. However, there is still a lack of investments for the installation of wind farms, which are few in our country.
By Me. Rodolfo Alves Pena
