Why Wind Turbines Are So Important For The Future Of World Energy

Wind turbines have a critically important role to play in the achieving of the optimum sustainable energy future. They can be used in both an onshore and offshore situation, and small versions of them can even be used in small scale localized energy production. Wind turbines have the great benefit of being especially effective in areas of the world where solar power produces some of its poorest results. This creates the potential for a balanced energy generation system, which is what the world should be working towards.

It often seems as though the media portrays the energy situation as a battle between competing technologies. While that may be true to a very limited degree, it does not really reflect the true situation. The truth is that these technologies need to compliment each other in creating the optimum energy generation system for the future of humanity. This can be achieved by combining three basic elements. Solar power has tremendous potential to energize parts of the globe where there are high temperatures and good sunlight, and it is useful in other areas as well.

Wind turbines are most effective where there are strong currents, and the best locations of all are offshore. The third element which is needed is the use of hydrogen as an effective way to store the electricity generated from solar and wind sources, so that the supply can remain constant even in uncertain conditions. The question is, then, what is the best way to go about harnessing the power of wind turbines? Wind power has gained some unenviable press due to the unsightly nature of wind farm installations, so should we move the turbines offshore?

The answer to this is yes and no. Energy derived from wind power is cheaper, at the moment, when it is produced onshore. This also gives us the opportunity to develop the technology so that it is at its most effective when it moves offshore. Starting with onshore developments with a view to moving offshore when the time is right is the best way forward for the development of wind turbines.

Wind turbines need to be replaced, on average, every twenty five years. This means that the environmental impact of having the turbines on beauty spots need only be temporary. If onshore development leads to a more effective offshore industry, then by the time the onshore turbines need replacing, there may well be no further need for them. The job will have been done, the onshore farms can be dismantled, and the landscape can return to the way it was before. Until then, however, there is a need to use onshore installations in the development of technology for wind turbines.