Wind Power Facts

Wind Power Facts-Early History
Society has benefited from wind power for over 6,000 years. During this time, wind power has been used for grinding grain, pumping water, and for making electricity. Early utilization of wind power included powering sailboats and ventilating buildings in the Middle East. The first useful windmills were built in Afghanistan in the 7th century. These were windmills with vertical axles, fitted with ‘sails’ that caught the wind, and rotated the axles. These early windmills were used to grind corn and to draw up water.

Windmills-Early History of Electricity Producers
The first windmills for producing electricity were built in Scotland in 1887, and were introduced in the United States in 1888. By 1908, there were 72 wind power generators in operation. In the United States, windmills were used in the 1930’s for generating rural electricity on farms and ranches. During this time, steel was inexpensive, and wind generators were positioned on top of fabricated steel towers. At the beginning of World War II, the first large (1.25 megawatt) wind turbine was operated in the Vermont, USA. It failed after 1100 hours of operation due to blade failure related to material shortages during the war.

Wind Turbine Development
During the 1970’s and 1980’s, the Federal Government in the United States helped the wind power industry to improve the technology, and to develop large commercial wind turbines. During this time, the large wind generators set several world records for size and electrical power output. It was also during this time that building home wind generators became popular. Even though they were popular, most homeowners could not afford to build their own wind generators. States then provided tax rebates, and home wind power generation became within reach for many homeowners. The tax rebates funded wind power development for electrical utilities, resulting in the first wind farms.

Wind Power-Future Growth Projections
Wind power is now considered the fastest growing source of electrical energy in the world. In 2004, wind power accounted for 10% of the world’s energy production. By 2020, this number is expected to increase to 34%, and by 2030, wind power is projected to provide for 46% of the world’s energy. In 2010, approximately 10 million homes in the United States were utilizing wind power to generate electricity. The growth of commercial wind farms and residential wind power development are just two reasons why wind power is experiencing a growth spurt today. Coupled with solar energy, the advantages and cost savings of wind power are obvious reasons for predicting a bright future.