Just like with the Solar Energy synopsis, sweeping impressions and fun facts are a nice place to start.
First off wind farms...I think they're visually amazing. Not a view shared by everyone, but certainly I'm not alone either. As far as windmills and electricity production are concerned it is not even necessary to use 3 blade systems. In fact, two blade systems have been shown to be just as efficient, but less aesthetically pleasing. Huh. Design in mind.
Like giant pinwheels in a field, just magnificent to see.
Living in Holland we get to see a lot of them, old and new.
West Texas also has one or two windmills...
Anyway, to some fun facts, plucked from UK Energy Saving.
- There is evidence that wind energy was used to propel boats along the Nile as early as 5000BC.
- The earliest known windmills were in Persia (Iran) and looked like large paddle wheels.
- In 200BC people in China and the Middle East used windmills to pump water and grind grain
- The largest wind turbine in the world is in Hawaii. It stands 20 storeys high and has rotors the length of a football field.
- The UK is the windiest country in Europe.
- Wind is the fastest growing energy source worldwide.
- An average wind speed of 14mph is required to convert wind energy into electricity.
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