Wind Energy

Wind energy is one of the cleanest sources of power available to us. It produces absolutely no pollution and, unlike fossil fuels, it will never run out — the wind keeps blowing as long as the sun heats the earth. The basic idea behind it is simple: the kinetic energy of moving air is captured by turbines and converted directly into electrical energy.

The types of winds that can be harnessed for this purpose are not limited to one kind. The permanent wind systems of the world — the trade winds, the westerlies — are reliable sources of energy. Seasonal winds, most notably the monsoon, also carry enormous power. Beyond these large-scale systems, even local winds and the daily cycle of land and sea breezes can be used to generate electricity. …