Wind

Wind Power

Background information and initial pro/cons:

1.From the article “Alternative Energy Sources” from the U*X*L Encyclopedia of Science accessed on Gale Student Resources In Context on the CY Library homepage:

Wind power is one of the earliest forms of energy used by humankind. Windmills were used on farms in the early part of the twentieth century to pump water and generate electricity. Now considered an alternative energy source, wind power is being harnessed by modern windmills with lighter, stronger blades. In states such as California, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Montana, up to several hundred windmills may operate together (called wind farms) in open areas with steady winds. Single giant windmills capable of providing electricity to several thousand homes are also operating in the United States. Several power companies have plans to build large- scale wind farms in Texas, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Minnesota, and smaller plants in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New York before 2020. By that year, the U.S. Department of Energy hopes the contribution of wind power to electrical generation nationwide will be increased by 5 percent. With new technologies being developed to improve windmill performance and efficiency, wind power is a promising, clean, cheap, and abundant source of energy for the future.

2. Search for wind energy on World Book Online on the CY Library homepage: http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar605910&st=wind+energy

3.  Read about Wind Energy Basics on this site from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory:
http://www.nrel.gov/learning/re_wind.html

4. Watch this video about wind energy from Learn360:
http://www.learn360.com/ShowVideo.aspx?ID=742222

Viewpoint Articles

Two articles from Global Resources (2008),accessed on Opposing Viewpoints on the CY Library homepage:

Wind Power Is Unreliable and Not Environmentally Friendly (password: oslis)

Wind Power Is Affordable and Environmentally Friendly  (password: oslis)

Additional Resources

Wind Research from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory