RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY

Wind power

Renewable sources of energy

Renewable sources of energy are the sources that are never exhausted, such as geothermal energy,hydroelectric energy,solar energy, wind power etc. They are friendly to the environment and very useful to people.

Wind power

Wind is a renewable source of energy which can be used in producing electricity. The use of wind power does not create pollution as do the power plants.

History of wind powerThis type of power is also called ‘Aeolian power’ because in

ancient Greek mythology Aeolos was the god of wind. Wind power was first exploited in sailing vessels used by the ancient Greeks. As wind was blowing in the sails, it gave the ship the necessary power to move.

Later the people exploited wind power with the creation of windmills which they used to grind wheat and make flour.

During the last 25 years power generators have been created, their design based on windmills ,but for a different use ,that is the production of electric power. The use of wind power generators resulted in the reduction of pollution.

AdvantagesFirst, wind power generators

have replaced power plants which produced

waste and fumes and now it is them that produce ‘green’ electric power.

Besides it is a renewable source of energy and it is

inexhaustible.

DisadvantagesOn the other hand wind power generators may kill

or injure the migrating birds. What is more they

cause noise pollution which means that they should be installed far from housing areas.

Finally the construction and maintenance cost is

too high for the amount of energy they produce.

The wind power in my area

In eastern Macedonia and Thrace there are two important wind farms and one more is going to be built:

1)The wind farm of Psili Rahi was built in 2009. In it there are 12 wind power generators. It is an important source of energy for the residents of Drama.

2)The wind farm of Adriani.

3)The offshore wind farm in Lemnos is going to be built soon. It will be the third biggest wind farm in the world and there will be put 81 wind power generators which will generate 1,692.3 GWh every year.