Wind Energy Essentials (ePub)

Examines the possible societal impacts of wind energy
projects and explains the potential issues faced when siting,
constructing, and operating a wind energy project.

This book begins with a history of wind power and the social
impacts of both electricity and wind power from a historical
perspective, a discussion of basic electrical terms, and a primer
on the conversion of power in the wind to electricity. Much of the
second half of the book is devoted to comparing wind energy to
other forms of electric generation, both renewable and
non-renewable sources. In order to have a true understanding of the
impact of wind energy on society, one also has to have a thorough
understanding of the impacts that other sources of electric
generation have, such as fossil-fuelled plants or nuclear power
plants. The comparison of electric generation sources includes a
review of how such sources are typically utilized within the
electric system, as well as the economic factors and environmental
considerations that affect which resources utilities or operators
of electric grids have to take into account. The authors conclude
with a discussion of energy policies in the U.S., individual
states, and foreign nations, how these policies influence the use
of renewable energy, and what our future may hold in terms of
energy supply and demand. Some highlights of this book are:

* style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Discusses
the wind energy impacts on the environment, local economy, electric
utilities, individuals and communities

* style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Provides
a visual explanation of wind energy principles through tables,
graphs, maps, illustrations and photographs

* style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Offers
a comprehensive overview of the issues associated with the
creation and use of wind energy

* style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Models
chapters around an existing university curriculum

Spanning the broad range of environmental, financial, policy and
other topics that define and determine the relationships between
wind energy technology and our energy-dependent society, Wind
Energy Essentials is a resource for students, universities, and
the entire wind energy industry.