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The future of electricity is in wind power. No one would ever have thought that soft breezes on a warm summers day would produce essential wind energy. Energy that can be used to light up the world.

The power of the wind has worked for mankind for many centuries. It can be harnessed and used to produce other forms of power such as electrical or mechanical energy. The simple act of boat sailing would not be possible without the force of the wind in the sails propelling it across the waters surface. Windmills have often been seen on farming land with the wind turning the blades to bring forth water from wells.In days of yore, the wind was used to set grinding stones in motion to grind wheat into flour. Centuries have passed with the windmills of Holland being used to bring water to areas where it was needed.

In present days, the wind is being used for an important purpose and that is in the production of electricity. Have you ever taken note of how the wind will make a pinwheel turn? The same premise is used in the propulsion of a device named a wind turbine. A turbine has enormous blades that are turned on a hub by the winds energy. The hub is attached to a shaft that turns and in doing so it enters a gear transmission box that increases the speed of the turning. Electricity is produced by this transmissions attachment to a high speed shaft that causes a generator to turn. In high wind conditions, the turbine has an installed brake that is used to prevent damage that could be cause by the blades moving too fast.

Controversy abounds with this modern day technology. The lack of knowledge on the part of the public has been the cause of many unconfirmed fears. Even the whirring sound made by the blades as they rotate has made for demonstrative outcry’s. Still, it is not at all unusual to see small single turbines located on properties for personal home use. Though a good idea for many, it is impractical for most, so wind farms containing thousand of turbines have been implemented and are beginning to take their place in today’s society.

Windy conditions are ideal for placement of wind turbines. The more wind there is, the more electricity can be made. One turbine has the minimum capacity to produce a 100 watts, or one kilowatt of power. This is enough to light ten 100 watt bulbs. When production is increased to 300 kilowatts, three thousand bulbs will glow. Using that as a base of multiplication for the number of turbines producing electricity now and the end result borders on staggering.

By 1999, California was home to over 11,000 turbines. Three large wind farms are located in places such as Palm Springs, Altamont Pass, and San Gorgonio Pass. The amount of power produced here is enough to illuminate the entire city of San Francisco giving California the honor of producing the most electrical power. Denmark and Germany have joined us in the use of wind turbines to produce electric power.

The distribution of this amassed power is carried out with the use of transformers. Electricity can be sent to far away sites through power lines. The arguments in regard to turbine use of wind energy continues today. Regardless of this controversy, more and more of these turbines can be seen as we travel though the countryside. An immense amount of progress has been made with the provision of electric power.

Harnessing the power of wind is now being used for the purpose of making electricity. The future of electricity is in wind power. Wind Energy In excess of 11,000 turbines are presently being used, so one can imagine the number at each site.

Tags: Alternative Energy, green energy, Home Improvement, science, Solar Power, technology, wind energy