Wind Energy: The Use of Wind Power, Past and Present

The Earliest Use of Wind Energy

The history of mankind’s use of wind power dates back as early as 200 B.C when rudimentary wind machines were used by the Persians. By the 14th century, the famous Dutch windmills were used to drain the Rhine River delta. The first windmill designed for the production of electricity in the United States was built in 1888.

Wind Energy in American History

Once upon a time, water pumping windmills and small wind electric generators were commonly used throughout the United States. However, the rural electrification programs of the 1930’s and 1940’s replaced these systems.  By the 1950’s, the windmills, once used as a primary source of energy on farms, had been replaced by centrally generated power.

Rural electrification is the process of bringing electrical power to rural and remote areas. This program brought lighting to thousands of homes. It also allowed approximately one-fourth of all farms in America to benefit from the mechanization of many farming operations. This program was implemented with the belief that the standard of living and economic competitiveness of the family farm  in the US would improve. This was a crucial point in America’s economic history.

Recognizing Wind Energy as a Renewable Energy Source

While rural electrification was good for the economy, no one was aware of the problems it was creating for the environment. The power plants fueled by coal to produce the electricity, became major contributors to global warming.

In the 1980’s, as America began to recognize global  warming as in issue of concern, Federal and State Government programs and incentives where established to encourage the use of wind power generation and other renewable energy sources.. More recently, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005) was signed by President Bush to promote renewable energy sources.

How Wind Energy Works

Wind power harnesses wind energy and converts it into a useful form. Wind turbines are used to produce electricity from wind power.  They are rotating machines which convert the kinetic energy in wind into mechanical energy.

A windmill is different than  a wind turbine. A wind mill uses mechanical energy directly  to operate machinery, such as a pump. A wind turbine, on the other hand, converts the mechanical energy to electricity.

Wind Energy in Today’s World

There is a recent revival in the use of wind power as an alternative energy source In a report by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), wind power generation increased by 45 percent in 2007 pumping investments of over $9 billion into our economy.  This is the third consecutive year in which such growth has been reported.

Electricity produced by renewable energy sources is becoming more readily available to consumers through Green Power programs. Currently, 500 electric companies in 34 states offer such programs. These programs sell power produced by wind energy and landfill gas-to-energy projects.

The current production tax credit and tax incentives for renewable energy technology are due to expire at the end of 2008. However, the Senate Finance Committee is including extension of these credits as part of it’s stimulus package.

Wind Energy Goes Full Circle

Seemingly, mankind has always recognized the advantages of wind energy. Throughout time, man has learned to harness that energy for his own use. Technology has allowed for vast improvements in producing electricity using wind energy.

Experience has dictated our need to use alternative renewable energy sources to meet our electricity needs. Wind energy has a solid past and a promising future in filling those needs. Wind energy has always been the appropriate decision for the environment and now seems to offer economic potential as well. Wind energy is a win-win solution.