The Power of Wind – by Logan Minnaar

It’s not just hot air, it’s the power of the future – let me tell you why:

Did you know that an average onshore wind turbine with a capacity of 2.5–3 MW can produce more than 6 million kWh in a year! This is enough to supply an average of 1500 EU households with electricity. While this is exciting, it gets even better – an average offshore wind turbine of 3.6 MW can power more than 3,312 average EU households. You see, it’s not just hot air – its power!

With the increased demand in electricity and the limited availability of fossil fuels (including their environmental impact) the demand for alternative energy sources such as wind energy has been rising fast. In order to meet these demands, manufacturers are pushing the realms of physics and building ever larger wind turbines, with some blades reaching an astounding 80 meters in length.

Now, let’s talk South Africa (SA) – SA has to-date 22 wind Independent Power Producers (IPPs) which have as of 2020 successfully reached commercial operations that reported 2723 job years for SA citizens. This has contributed significantly to the reduction in CO2 emissions (approximately 6.4Mtons) which is 53% of the total 12.1Mtones annual projection – showing significant growth and opportunity for CO2 emission reduction. This is all due to the fact that wind energy is a completely clean energy/fuel source.

So, we now know the key benefits of wind energy and wind turbines, but how are they powered? Well, obviously by wind – but how is wind generated?

In simplistic terms, wind is caused by uneven heating of the earth’s surface by the sun. Because the earth’s surface is made up of different types of land and water, it absorbs the sun’s heat at different rates – creating this phenomenon we know as ‘wind’. A now prominent driver of sustainable energy across the globe.

As much as wind energy is a key role player in the pursuit of alternative and renewable energy sources, it is not always a practical or viable alternative in many parts of the world. As such, it is important that we keep in mind other potential energy sources such as, solar power, hydropower, biomass, etc.

There unfortunately, is no one solution fits all scenario when it comes to renewable energy but rather an interconnected relationship that exists across the realm of alternative and renewable energy sources that often go hand in hand in reducing emission levels and promoting sustainable energy harvesting.

Note: Renewable energy is the way of the future. However, this can only be achieved if we make a conscious and decisive effort to implement it in our day-to-day practices and adopt it as a way of life.

Skyvines Greetings