Alternative Wind Energy

Using alternative wind energy is not a new concept but it might become a global reality in the not so distant future.

Oil prices are rising all the time. Fossil fuel resources are depleting quickly. It is also clear to us now that burning fossil fuels releases too many harmful gases into the atmosphere. Furthermore, climate change is occurring much faster than anticipated. Producing and consuming coal is not a long-term solution either as the problems associated with it are very similar to oil. We need to develop clean ways to generate our electricity, e.g. using renewable wind energy.

Since every country needs and consumes energy every country needs to make a contribution to finding a solution to our energy crisis. Not all countries consume an equal amount of fossil fuels per annum. Some countries might have already implemented a large amount of renewable energy technology. Especially countries with a large manufacturing base like India and China are under pressure to take fast action as their countries emissions are very high.

We need to stop polluting our planet. We need to stop using fossil fuels and start using other more environmentally friendly sources of energy. The best options are solar, water, geothermal and renewable wind energy. These alternative sources of energy don't produce harmful gases for the environment and are therefore being described as clean energy sources.

For countries to harness these green sources of energy certain preconditions need to be fulfilled. One prerequisite for generating renewable wind energy, for example, would be strong enough winds. Some countries, like Germany and Japan, have spent a few years researching alternative wind energy and are already using it to generate electricity. Countries like Japan have a large shoreline. This makes running wind farms more economical.

To build wind turbine farms you have to go where you can find wind. Most wind can be found out on the open sea. Therefore, more energy could be generated at those locations. Building offshore of course has it's own challenges. To start with extra foundation work would increase the overall cost of such a project. The extra energy that can be produced here might offset the higher initial investment.

Wind energy technology is continuing to improve in efficiency. This will eventually lead to lower production costs and a heightened attractiveness of alternative wind energy. Sven Sigaard, president and CEO of Vestas Wind Systems (Denmark) believes that once it is possible to build wind turbine farms close enough to the shore line and with technology that is efficient enough the kilowatt/hour price can compete with other forms of energy.

Mr. Sigaard originated in Denmark, a country where windmills were already used more than 200 years ago to generate more than 25% of the nation's industrial energy requirements. We should certainly listen to what he has to say.