Wind Energy: A Complete Alternative.

Wind Energy: A Complete Alternative

Maise Natalia Soares da Silva
Sault College Northland

January 26, Sault Ste Marie.

Wind Energy: A Complete Alternative.

Wind energy is a kind of energy generated when the power of wind is used to produce an other
kind of energy. After the last petroleum crisis at 1970s, the governments around the world started to
think about alternatives to produce energy. An other factor than helped the governments to rethink
about the energy produced from petroleum was the environmental questions, such as global warm and
the greenhouse effect. For those reasons today lots of countries prefer produce energy from renewable
fonts. The wind energy have growing at the global scene with a big investment from multinational
companies. Despite the benefits wind energy has opponents who argue that it promotes, for example,
noise and visual pollution and kill some species of birds.
Visual and noise pollution are major disadvantages with respect to wind energy. Opponents of
renewable energy argue that noise pollution can cause discomfort can cause disturbances in sleep,
stress and even increase the risk of developing depression. With respect to visual pollution, opponents
argue that the turbine blades are able to stop the sunlight and cause unwanted shadows, and that this
would increase by 40% the chance for people to develop depression.
The sound and visual effects of wind power are felt minimally when the turbines are installed in
residential areas, which is not common. Generally the wind farms are installed in rural or remote areas
where it is almost non-existent presence of residences or building. The numbers used to talk about the
risks caused by wind power are sometimes unrealistic since there is no conclusive research on this
topic.
Migratory birds are another reason for non-adoption of wind energy, according to opponents of
the number of birds killed by colliding with wind turbines has grown after the popularization of this
type of energy production. The concern of environmentalists is mainly related to endangered birds.
They fear that the expansion of wind power around the world causes the disappearance of bird species.
Wind farms are built according to environmental legislation, which in some countries is

Wind Energy: A Complete Alternative.

extremely severe. There is also the issue of environmental responsibility that many companies follow.
Thus it is necessary for the construction of wind farms studies to avoid the construction of these parks
in areas of migration corridor. Other actions taken by companies avoid collision with migratory birds.
For example the proper arrangement of the turbines in the wind farm and the use of tubular towers.
The wind energy is with out doubt the better option about production of renewable energy,
because it has the best cost-benefits when compared with other kinds. It is impossible to develop a
country without increasing power consumption. Despite still having opponents, wind energy is growing
and becoming a viable and reliable source of energy. It is necessary to comply with environmental laws
and that the studies related to improved efficiency of energy production are made. Wind energy is a
viable and sustainable alternative, responsible for generating more and more jobs. Criticisms should be
done in a responsible manner in order to stimulate improvement.

References
The Society for Wind Vigilance. Visual Health Effects and Wind Turbines, Retrieved from
http://www.windvigilance.com/about-adverse-health-effects/visual-health-effects-and-wind-turbines
Wind Turbines and Birds: A Guidance Document for Environmental Assessment, Vol. 6, p. 7
Retrieved from: http://www.bape.gouv.qc.ca/sections/mandats/eole_matane/documents/DB15.pdf