10 Fascinating Wind Power Facts

In the race to discover a substitute for fossil fuels as the next affordable and abundant energy source to power the human machine, wind has garnered significant attention. It’s plentiful (except when trying to lift a kite), and the prospect of an endless, pollution-free energy source is too attractive to overlook. Plus, consider that humanity consumes roughly 400 quadrillion British Thermal Units (BTUs) each year, as per the U.S. Department of Energy. While ‘400 quadrillion’ might sound like an abstract number, just remember that a single BTU equals the energy produced by a lit match, which puts the scale into perspective [source: McLamb].

Wind has certainly been pulling its weight. For centuries, it has powered grain mills, sailed ships, and even generated electricity since the 1930s. As the demand for energy continues to rise, so do efforts to harness wind as a sustainable source of large-scale electricity. Wind turbines, which stand as tall as 400 feet (122 meters) and weigh nearly 400 tons, are the primary symbols of wind power.

While the basics are well known, this article will dive into some lesser-known, yet remarkable, facts about wind power.

10: In 2009, Wind Power Contributed 1.9 Percent to U.S. Electricity Generation

Wind power has been surging ahead of other renewable energy sources in terms of new electrical generation, with an increase of over 31 percent from 2008 to 2009 alone [source: U.S. Energy Information Association]. Several factors have driven this growth. First, wind turbines were eligible for U.S. government incentives in 2009, motivating developers to invest. Second, the 2008 Farm Bill's Title IX made it easier and more attractive for farmers and ranchers to pursue wind energy projects.

While less than 2 percent may seem like a small contribution, considering how rapidly it's growing, wind is on track to become a much more significant player in large-scale energy production.

9: One of the Longest-Used Energy Sources

Wind power has been in use since at least 5000 B.C., primarily to power sails [source: U.S. Department of Energy]. While this might seem obvious, early sailors weren’t just the first to find an easier way to travel. They also laid the foundation for essential concepts like thermodynamics and lift [source: TelosNet]. These principles were crucial for later innovations, including the first windmills, which were powered by sails. These windmills helped grind grain and pump water, playing a vital role in the agricultural revolution by automating tasks that were previously labor-intensive.

This technology made its way to the Americas, where it played a significant role in settling the untamed wilderness and plains of early America. However, with the rise of new technologies, the windmill was replaced by steam engines and affordable electricity when, in the 1930s, the Rural Electrification Program brought cheap electricity to rural parts of the U.S. [source: National Archives].

Yet, wind is experiencing a revival, as the rising costs and decreasing availability of fossil fuels make them less viable for energy production.

8: One Megawatt of Wind Energy = 2,600 Fewer Tons of Carbon Dioxide

With all the buzz around clean energy, what kind of real impact are we seeing with wind? Every year, 1MW of wind energy can offset around 2,600 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) [source: NREL], highlighting the significance of this energy source. The basic principle is simple: less fossil fuel use equals less CO2 emissions. Reducing carbon emissions has become a key metric for tracking the growth of alternative energy adoption.

Take Massachusetts, for example. In 2004, the average resident produced 4.5 tons of CO2 from electricity usage. Just 1MW of wind energy could power up to 400 homes without emitting any CO2. Additionally, wind energy significantly conserves water, with that same 1MW saving about 1,293 million gallons of water [source: NREL].

7: In 2007, the NAS Concluded Wind Farms Do Not Pose a Threat to Birds

A major concern raised by critics of wind power is the potential risk these installations pose to wildlife. These enormous turbines spin at dangerous speeds, and their massive structures occupy large areas that could otherwise be pristine wilderness or vital bird flight paths.

One particularly controversial wind farm, Altamont Pass in California, has been at the center of this debate due to the negative impact its poor planning has had on the local bird population. The Center for Biological Diversity reports that up to 1,300 eagles, falcons, hawks, and other birds of prey are killed annually because the turbines were placed along an essential migration route.

However, research from other wind farms has shown no significant harm to bird populations, and the National Academy of Sciences has emphasized that fatalities from wind farms are a small fraction compared to the overall bird deaths caused by human activities [source: National Research Council].

6: Wind Power Is Essentially Solar Power

So, where does this endless and pure source of energy come from? The sun. As the sun heats our planet, it creates uneven warming due to surface irregularities and Earth's rotation. These temperature differences lead to fluctuations in air pressure, causing air molecules to move from high-pressure areas to low-pressure ones. This movement results in wind, whose strength, duration, and direction are affected by a variety of factors, including weather, vegetation, water bodies, and the land's shape [source: EIA].

These factors make wind unpredictable, raising concerns that it may never be reliable enough to fully meet our energy needs. However, some of the most consistent winds can be found offshore, which, unfortunately, increases the cost of construction.

5: Global Wind Power Production Increased Fourfold from 2000 to 2006

With so much untapped potential, companies are positioning themselves to capitalize on this energy source. Between 2000 and 2006, wind power production saw a dramatic increase. Even during the global economic downturn in 2009, the wind industry continued to flourish. That year, the global wind power capacity grew by 31 percent, reaching 158,000 megawatts [source: Roney]. Today, wind energy is capable of supplying power to 250 million people, and over 70 countries have wind installations.

A recent report from the United Nations revealed that transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy (not just wind) would require over $12 trillion in investment over the next 20 years [source: Morales]. Achieving this level of financial commitment will be challenging, especially with traditional energy sources still being relatively cheap. To sustain the growth seen between 2000 and 2006, substantial government incentives will be necessary to encourage continued development.

4: Texas Has the Largest Installed Wind Capacity of Any State

True to its reputation, everything is bigger in Texas — including the wind. The state leads the nation in wind power, boasting over 40 projects [source: Weber]. By 2008, Texas had a total wind capacity of 7,907 MW, far surpassing Iowa, which had 2,883 MW. In fact, Texas accounts for a third of the nation's total installed wind capacity [source: Roney].

Texas' success can largely be attributed to its geography. The vast and open Texas Panhandle is perfectly suited for wind energy generation. With its flat terrain and elevated position, the wind blows unobstructed across the plains. Additionally, state policies that provide financial incentives for wind projects have played a key role in making Texas a leader in the wind industry.

3: In 2008, U.S. Wind Turbines Generated Enough Energy to Power Colorado

In 2008, the U.S. wind turbines produced 52 billion kilowatt-hours, which represented approximately 1% of the country's total electricity output for that year. While this figure may seem small, it was enough to power almost 5 million homes, or equivalently, the entire state of Colorado [source: EIA].

Thanks to advancements in technology that are reducing costs associated with wind farming, this practice is becoming more accessible. Combined with government incentives such as tax credits and subsidies, these improvements will significantly aid in the expansion of wind energy production. One such initiative is green pricing programs, which allow consumers to pay a premium for electricity sourced from renewable energy [source: EIA].

2: 38 U.S. States Have Wind Farms

The United States is a key player in the wind power sector, with 38 out of 50 states currently running utility-grade wind installations. Fourteen states have over 1,000 MW of installed wind power – the amount of electricity generated by existing equipment. The top five states producing wind power together account for over 20,000 MW of capacity [source: GWEC].

A 2008 study from the U.S. Department of Energy analyzed the necessary steps for wind power to provide 20 percent of the nation's electricity by 2030 [source: US Department of Energy]. As the viability of such efforts is further explored, and the energy industry finds ways to make wind power as profitable as current energy sources, it is expected that more states will look to harness this abundant resource.

Top States in Wind Power Generation

1: U.S. Wind Resources Could Power the Nation 10 Times Over

While the industrial use of wind power to generate electricity has been evolving for several decades, it remains a relatively new technology that still has a lot to prove regarding its feasibility. The drive to push forward isn't just based on wind power's current output, but on the immense potential it offers. It's true that it's still an expensive project requiring substantial investments and the zeal of a Labrador, but when you think about the wind's constant availability and vast supply, few other energy sources can match what might be achievable.

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, just the land-based wind resources (wind farms on land instead of the open ocean) could provide the United States with its electricity needs ten times over [source: AWEA].

A 2009 Harvard study revealed that a network of turbines, even running at a modest 20 percent of their capacity, could produce more than 40 times the global demand for electricity. If this study, and others like it, are accurate, it would make pursuing wind power as an alternative to fossil fuels an obvious choice.