Wind Energy Pros and Cons

Last updated March 23, 2015 by Mathias Aarre Maehlum

This article contains the most important facts about wind power that should be included on
any balanced wind energy pros and cons list. Everything you are about to read is properly
referenced at the bottom of this page.

See in-depth explanations further down. Let`s start with a quick overview:

Pros of Wind Energy

1. Wind energy is a green energy source and does not cause pollution.

2. The potential of wind power is enormous 20 times more than what the entire
human population needs.[1]

3. Wind power is renewable and there is no way we can run out of it (since wind
energy originates from the sun).

4. Wind turbines are incredible space-efficient. The largest of them generate

enough electricity to power 600 U.S. homes.[2]

5. Wind power only accounts for about 2.5% of total worldwide electricity
production, but is growing at a promising rate of 25% per year (2010). [3]

6. Prices have decreased over 80% since 1980 and are expected to keep
decreasing.[4]

7. The operational costs associated with wind power are low.

 8. Good domestic potential: Residential wind turbines yields energy savings and
protects homeowners from power outages.

Cons of Wind Energy

1. Wind is a fluctuating (intermittent) source of energy and is not suited to meet the
base load energy demand unless some form of energy storage is utilized (e.g.
batteries, pumped hydro).

2. The manufacturing and installation of wind turbines requires heavy

upfrontINVESTMENTS both in commercial and residential applications.

3. Wind turbines can be a threat to wildlife (e.g. birds, bats).

4. Noise is regularly reported as a problem by neighboring homes.

5. How wind turbines look (aesthetics) is a legitimate concern for some people.

Advantages of Wind Energy

1. Green

Wind energy is a green energy source. Harnessing wind energy does not pollute the
environment nearly as much as fossil fuels, coal and nuclear power do.

It is true that the manufacturing, transportation and installation of a wind turbine contributes
to global warming slightly, but the electricity production itself does not involve any emissions
of climate gases whatsoever.
There are some environmental issues associated with wind energy that we will discuss in
the disadvantages section.

2. Enormous Potential

As mentioned in the introduction of this article, the potential of wind power is absolutely
incredible.Several independent research teams have reached the same conclusions: The
worldwide potential of wind power is more than 400 TW (terawatts). [1]

Harnessing wind energy can be done almost anywhere. Whether or not a resource is
financially feasible is another question.

3. Renewable

Wind energy is a renewable source of energy. Wind is naturally occurring and there is no
way we can empty the energy resources. Wind energy actually originates from the nuclear
fusion processes that take place on the sun.

As long as the sun keeps shining (don`t worry, according to scientists it will for another 6-7
billion years)?, we will be able to harness wind energy on earth. This is not the case for
fossil fuels (e.g. oil and natural gas), which our society relies heavily on today.

4. Space-Efficient

The largest wind turbines are capable of generating enough electricity to meet the energy
demand of 600 average U.S. homes.[2] The wind turbines can`t be placed too close to each
other, but the land in-between can be used for other things. This is why many farms would
benefit more from installing wind turbines as opposed to solar panels.
5. Rapid Growth

Although wind power only accounts for about 2.5% of total worldwide electricity production,
the capacity is growing at an incredible rate of 25% per year (2010). [3] This does not only
contribute in the fight against global warming, but also helps lowering costs:

6. Prices are Decreasing

Prices have decreased over 80% since 1980.[4] Thanks to technological advancements and
increased demand, prices are expected keep decreasing in the foreseeable future.

7. Low Operational Costs

It is generally true that operational costs tend to be low once the turbines first have been
manufactured and erected. However, not every wind turbine is created equal some are
more susceptible to maintenance than others.

8. Good Domestic Potential

People can generate their own electricity with wind power in much the same manner as
people do with the best solar panels (photovoltaics).

Net metering (currently implemented in more than 40 states across the U.S. [5]) allows
homeowners to receive bill credits for their excess electricity productionThere is good
money to save/earn with residential wind turbines, but maybe the best perks come from not
being reliant the utility for electricity, which can protect you from blackouts as well as
fluctuating energy prices.
Disadvantages of Wind Energy
1. Unpredictable

Wind is unpredictable and the availability of wind energy is not constant. Wind energy is
therefore not well suited as a base load energy source. If we had cost-effective ways of
storing wind energy the situation would be different.

We can hope for breakthroughs in energy storage technologies in the future, but right now,
wind turbines have to be used in tandem with other energy sources to meet our energy
demand with consistency.

2. Costs

The cost-competitiveness of wind power is highly debatable. Both utility-scale wind farms
and small residential wind turbines typically rely heavily on financial incentives. This is to
give wind power a fair chance in the fierce competition against already well-established
energy sources such as fossil fuels and coal.

Solar power (PV) is generally regarded as the first choice for homeowners looking to
become energy producers themselves, but wind turbines make an excellent alternative in
some situations. It would take a wind turbine of about 10 kilowatts and $40,000 to $70,000
to become a net electricity producer.Investments like this typically break even after 10 to 20
years.

5. Threat to Wildlife

Birds, bats and other flying creatures have slim chances of surviving when taking a direct hit
from a rotating wind turbine blade. However, some environmentalists have blown this issue
out of proportions.
Studies have estimated the number of annual avian fatalities by U.S. wind turbines from
10,000 all the way to 440,000. As a comparison, collisions with buildings may kill up to 976
million birds.[6]

3. Noise

Noise is a problem for some people that live in the proximity of wind turbines. Building wind
turbines in urban environments should be avoided. Noise is not a problem with offshore
wind turbines at all. New designs show significant improvements compared to older models
and generate less noise.

4. Looks

While most people actually like how wind turbines look, there is always some who
don`t. Wind turbines leave a smaller footprint on land compared to the majority of other
energy sources (including solar, nuclear and coal). The problem is mitigated if the wind
turbines are built outside urban areas.

What exactly is wind energy? Wind energy actually comes from the sun. Solar radiation
unevenly heats the surface of earth, which causes hot air to rise and cool air to fill the void.
This movement is the definition of wind energy. Wind is a kinetic form of energy (motion).

There are several techniques we can use to harness this energy. Wind power is a term
used to encapsulate all processes that convert wind energy into useful work. This article
has mainly been about the advantages and disadvantages of generating electricity with
wind turbines (one aspect of wind power).
How can we generate electricity with wind energy? Wind turbines are complicated, but
heres the basic gist: Kinetic energy in the wind is converted into mechanical energy (the
rotation of turbine blades), which again is converted into electricity by a generator sitting
inside the hub of the structure.

If you want to learn more about the two questions above, go to How Wind Turbines
Generate Electricity where the topics are covered more in-depth. Also check out 5 Mind-
Blowing Wind Energy Facts.

The bottom line: The future of wind power looks promising. The development of several
massive wind farms (both on- and offshore) is taking place as you read this. It will be
interesting to see how far weve come ten years from now. The United States aims to
produce at least 20 percent of its electricity by wind power by 2030. [1]

Hydroelectric Energy Pros and Cons

Last updated February 21, 2014 by Mathias Aarre Maehlum

20% of the worlds electricity consumption in 2006 was generated with hydroelectricity
(generating electricity from hydropower), the most used renewable energy source in the
world. We all know that hydroelectricity is both renewable and green, but what are the other
advantages this technology offer? Are there any disadvantages? Read the hydroelectric
energy pros and cons list below to find out!
This article is solely about the pros and cons of hydroelectricity. If you dont know how
hydroelectricity works yet I suggest you first read through
How Does Hydroelectric Power Work?

Advantages of Hydroelectric Energy

1. Renewable

Hydroelectric energy is renewable. This means that we cannot use up. However, theres
only a limited number of suitable reservoirs where hydroelectric power plants can be built
and even less places where such projects are profitable.

2. Green

Generating electricity with hydro energy is not polluting itself. The only pollution occurs
during the construction of these massive power plants.

3. Reliable

Hydroelectricity is very reliable energy. There are very little fluctuations in terms of the
electric power that is being by the plants, unless a different output is desired. Countries that
have large resources of hydropower use hydroelectricity as a base load energy source. As
long as there is water in the magazines electricity can be generated.

4. Flexible
As previously mentioned, adjusting water flow and output of electricity is easy. At times
where power consumption is low, water flow is reduced and the magazine levels are being
conserved for times when the power consumption is high.

5. Safe

Compared to among others fossil fuels and nuclear energy, hydroelectricity is much safer.
There is no fuel involved (other than water that is).

Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Energy

1. Environmental Consequences

The environmental consequences of hydropower are related to interventions in nature due

to damming of water, changed water flow and the construction of roads and power lines.

Hydroelectric power plants may affect fish is a complex interaction between numerous
physical and biological factors. More user interests related to exploitation of fish species,
which helps that this is a field that many have strong opinions on.

Fish habitats are shaped by physical factors such as water level, water velocity and shelter
opportunities and access to food. Draining would be completely devastating to the fish.
Beyond this, the amount of water may have different effects on the fish in a river, depending
on the type and stage of the lifecycle. Not all unregulated river systems are optimal in terms
of fish production, because of large fluctuations in flow.

2. Expensive
Building power plants in general is expensive. Hydroelectric power plants are not an
exception to this. On the other hand, these plants do not require a lot of workers and
maintenance costs are usually low.

3. Droughts

Electricity generation and energy prices are directly related to how much water is available.
A drought could potentially affect this.

4. Limited Reservoirs

We have already started using up suitable reservoirs for hydroelectric power plants. There
are currently about 30 major power plants that are expected to generate more than 2.000
MW under construction. Only one of these projects was started in the last two years.

Biomass Energy: Pros and Cons

by RP Siegel on Friday, May 4th, 2012

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 There is no perfect energy source.

Each and every one has its own advantages and compromises. This
series will explore the pros and cons of various energy sources. Learn
about other forms of energy generation here.

Biomass energy has been around since long before anyone spoke of
renewables or alternative energy sources. There was a time when wood
was the primary fuel for heating and cooking around the world. It is still
used that way today, though in many fewer locations in countries like
ours.

When we speak of biomass today, we are basically talking about

several different applications:

1. Direct burning for domestic heat: This is the traditional method of

burning wood, peat, dung, etc., for cooking and heat. It is still
widely used, especially in developing countries where it is
responsible for many respiratory illnesses and deaths.
2. Electric generation: Biomass is used to feed a boiler which then
provides steam to a turbine which is connected to a generator.
Feedstocks are mainly forest wood residues, and urban/industrial
waste wood. EIA predicts that by 2020, biomass will produce 0.3
percent of the projected 5,476 billion kilowatt hours of total
generation. Roughly 19,786,000 Mw hrs of electricity were created
from biomass last year.

3. Co-generation: Essentially the same as item #2 above, with the

addition that useful heat is withdrawn from the process, improving
its efficiency in a combined heat and power (CHP) arrangement.

4. Gasification: The biomass is heated in an environment where it

breaks down into a flammable gas. After the gas is cleaned and
filtered, it can then be used as natural gas, usually in a combined
cycle turbine. Feedstocks used primarily include forest and
agricultural residues.

5. Anaerobic Digestion: The biomaterials go through a fermentation

process that converts the organic materials into biogas, which is
mostly methane (60%) and carbon dioxide (40%) biogas.
Converting methane into CO2 and water by burning it is a net
positive from a greenhouse gas (GHG) perspective, since methane
is a much more potent GHG than CO2. Enzymatic digestion and
other catalysts are used to enhance conversion. Suitable fuels are
organic materials with high moisture content such as animal
manure or food processing waste. Landfill gas which is siphoned
off of active landfills can also be considered part of this category,
 though, in this case, there are concerns about toxins released,
though some technologies claim to eliminate many of them.

6. Biofuels: This category includes any kind of biomass that is

converted into liquid fuel, primarily for transportation. Most common
are ethanol and biodiesel. Ethanol can be produced from food
crops such as corn in this country, sugar cane in Brazil and sugar
beets in Europe. Cellulosic ethanol can also be made from wood
or paper waste as well as specially grown grasses such as
switchgrass or from agriculture residues. Biodiesel is generally
made from animal fats or vegetable oils. Much homegrown
biodiesel is made from recycled restaurant grease. Commercially,
soybean oil is used in the US, rapeseed and sunflower oil in
Europe, and palm oil in Malaysia. Algae-based biofuel is a special
case, which we covered in a separate posting. While convenient
for transportation, biofuels require considerably more energy to
produce than biomass.

Biomass is often advertised as carbon neutral or nearly carbon neutral,

but this can be misleading. It is true that the carbon released upon
burning it was only recently (in relative terms) pulled out of the
atmosphere, so it can be viewed as returning what was already there
before the plant came up. But any additional carbon emitted in
cultivating, harvesting and transporting the fuel, which can be
considerable, is incremental to that. The less carbon emitted in these
stages of production, the closer the resulting fuel is to carbon neutrality.
There is also the question of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, if
used, and the energy and resources used and carbon emitted in
producing them.

Biomass Energy Pros and Cons:

Pros

Truly a renewable fuel

Widely available and naturally distributed

Generally low cost inputs

Abundant supply

Can be domestically produced for energy independence

Low carbon, cleaner than fossil fuels

Can convert waste into energy, helping to deal with waste

Cons

Energy intensive to produce. In some cases, with little or no net

gain.

Land utilization can be considerable. Can lead to deforestation.

 Requires water to grow

Not totally clean when burned (NOx, soot, ash, CO, CO2)

May compete directly with food production (e.g. corn, soy)

Some fuels are seasonal

Heavy feedstocks require energy to transport.

Overall process can be expensive

Some methane and CO2 are emitted during production

Not easily scalable

While biomass seems compelling at first blush, given that it is renewable

and can be domestically produced, there are a number of drawbacks
that make it far from a perfect solution. Primarily, as our population
continues to grow, the competition for arable land and water needed for
food production is going to make a number of these options unsuitable.
That doesnt mean that biomass cannot and should not play a role in our
overall energy picture for some time to come. The most attractive and
efficient options are those that utilize existing waste materials as inputs,
which is, after all, the way nature operates. There are a number of these
options that utilize forestry, agricultural, and even industrial waste (e.g.
paper) as well, as trash found in landfills and recycled nutrients from
waste water treatment facilities. Not only are these more efficient input
sources, but in many cases using them will also help to address waste
disposal issue. It could be argued, though, that in the future, many of
these same materials might be needed for compost, particularly as the
production of phosphorus, a key ingredient in fertilizer, begins to decline.