Project three completed in this analytical and persuasive writing class was a combination of many different writing tools. It took a theme established in a previous topic and transformed and developed the theme into literary work that could be accessed, read, and understood by a broader range of individuals including but not limited to peers, children, adults and any other individuals that happened to interact or find interest in the theme. In accordance with the guidelines detailed above, my topic or theme for project three was focused around wind energy, with my main objective developing around the concept of increasing public awareness to the necessity of using wind energy, as well as promoting the use of wind energy by exemplifying its positive impacts on the environment.
In general project three had three specific mediums from which each student was asked to mold and manipulate their topic in order to reach their target audience. The first of these mediums was an Internet blog in which not only peers could view and comment on each individuals topic, but also where the student could potentially draw outside interest. By using an internet blog, the student was able to get their topic exposed to a wider range of readers (other than the instructor) in hope that they could help shift attitudes or create a deeper understanding of their specific topic to more people. The blog also allowed the student to get feedback on ideas and drafts at a faster pace then would generally occur using the traditional paper system. The second medium used in project three was letter writing. Letter writing allowed the individual freedom to take a stand on their specific topic with attempt to provoke change at a higher level. Most letters, and in my specific case were written to government officials or organizations that have an impact on my topic (wind energy), so by writing to these people and organizations it was just another way for the individual to express their thoughts and get their ideas heard, while increasing knowledge of a more formal style of writing. As with my letters, I wasn’t necessarily attempting to create change, but instead receive more information about a area within my topic with which I had some concern. The third medium found in project three was the writing of a fable in which the idea and concepts of the topic were directed towards a younger audience. My hopes with the fable was to express in the need to look towards wind energy for children so that they could start take a more critical look at how the environment is changing around them and how they can become involved in helping to preserve the environment for not only themselves but other generations after them.
Of the three sections of project three, I feel as though each individual medium played an important role in facilitating the message of my topic (promoting the use of wind energy). I feel that each medium reached a different audience, and that each medium played upon different features of the topic that could be addressed by the different audiences. In most cases when an individual wants to create change, it is important to not necessarily focus on one specific audience but rather a boarder range of audiences if you want to get the real change generated.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Sunday, December 2, 2007
A Lesson for the Kids
Here is a funny little fable attempting to show kids how important it is to use wind energy.... hope you like it!!
The Day the Wind Stopped Blowing
The mighty north wind, with his great gaseous breath loved his job. He loved resting below the clouds blowing currents of air on to the unsuspecting humans below. For many years, the north wind watched lazily as humans used the breezes he created for travel, exploration and even entertainment.
He enjoyed nothing more than to see his human friends use his airstreams to help propel their boats as they cruised on the ocean. He loved watching the humans harness his power to grind their grains. He smiled, watching as puffs of air he scattered created waves allowing the humans to frolic amongst the rolling waters. Of all the joys he got from spreading his gift of gust, nothing made him happier than blowing a cool breeze across the surface of the earth on a hot sunny day and watching the expressions of sheer appreciation spread across human and animal faces alike.
For years the relationship between the north wind and his human friends continued effortlessly. Wind would share his gifts with the humans, and all he expected in return was the appreciation that shown on their smiling faces. However, one day, unknown to the north wind, his human friends made a discovery that would change their relationship and shake it to the core. While digging just below the earth’s crust the humans came across plant and animal remains. They discovered that when exposed to high heat and pressure from within the earth itself, a volatile material was created. When this material was burned, the humans were able to make enough energy to fulfill their everyday needs.
As the wind’s human friends developed this material which they decided to call “fossil fuels,” the humans began to depend less and less on the wind. They no longer needed his powerful breath to help them with their chores. They became so preoccupied with this new fossil fuel that they didn’t even use his strong warm breath for entertainment. No more sailing, surfing or flying kites. With the energy that the fossil fuels produced powering the human’s homes and cars, the humans slowly lost appreciation for the relationship they once shared with the north wind.
As the days went by, the north wind grew sad and angry, but he relentlessly continued to share his gift. He kept hoping that one day his human friends would come to their senses and realize the damage they were doing to his and their home by burning their fossil fuels. However, the north wind soon became very frustrated watching the humans continuously burn their fossil fuels, slowing destroying both their homes (the beautiful earth) by emitting carbons into the atmosphere raising global climates. This made him so mad that he decided he would teach the humans a lesson and stop blowing altogether.
At first the humans didn’t even notice that the wind has ceased to blow. They just went about their business as usual continuously burning their fossil fuels; however they soon realized the error of their ways. This happened when their precious fossil fuel reserves quickly depleted. Depleting to the point where soon there would no longer be enough to meet their energy demands.
Now the humans were forced to find a new source of energy if they ever hoped to continue with the lives they had become accustomed to. Only then did the humans decided to call upon their old friend the north wind. He was the one who so many years before had provided them with all they needed. However, the north wind was still so angry that his human friends had so carelessly thrown away their previous relationship that the he refused to blow.
The north wind refused to provide airstreams for the human’s planes to travel on. The north wind refused to scatter puffs of air to create waves the humans could surf on. He refused to produce his friendly gusts that helped distribute seeds from the flowers the humans planted. Above all else, the north wind refused blow a cool breeze across the surface of the earth forcing his human friends sit with the suns hot rays shining down upon them without any source of relief to cool them down.
Almost out of ideas on how to persuade the wind to blow again, the humans decided to build a monument to honor the north wind showing how much they appreciated all that he did for them. Together, with the help of engineers and developers the humans created a giant steel monument. It was made with angled blades mounted upon a motor that would spin freely if and when the wind decided to blow again.
The north wind was so touched by the human’s enthusiasm toward the creation of the monument that he decided to send a small blast of air toward the blades just to see how the monument really worked. Both the north wind and the humans were surprised when the blades turned and sent an electrical current to the motor which stored the current as useable energy.
Without even trying, the humans had discovered a way to solve their energy problems as well as making the wind feel appreciated again. So from that day on humans all across the world built giant monuments for the north wind. In return for this great honor the north wind happily provided a strong breeze to spin the blades on the monuments, in turn providing the humans with all the environment friendly energy they needed.
Moral of the Story:
The power and strength of the great north wind when harnessed can provide all the energy you need to live a happy and healthy life forever.
The Day the Wind Stopped Blowing
The mighty north wind, with his great gaseous breath loved his job. He loved resting below the clouds blowing currents of air on to the unsuspecting humans below. For many years, the north wind watched lazily as humans used the breezes he created for travel, exploration and even entertainment.
He enjoyed nothing more than to see his human friends use his airstreams to help propel their boats as they cruised on the ocean. He loved watching the humans harness his power to grind their grains. He smiled, watching as puffs of air he scattered created waves allowing the humans to frolic amongst the rolling waters. Of all the joys he got from spreading his gift of gust, nothing made him happier than blowing a cool breeze across the surface of the earth on a hot sunny day and watching the expressions of sheer appreciation spread across human and animal faces alike.
For years the relationship between the north wind and his human friends continued effortlessly. Wind would share his gifts with the humans, and all he expected in return was the appreciation that shown on their smiling faces. However, one day, unknown to the north wind, his human friends made a discovery that would change their relationship and shake it to the core. While digging just below the earth’s crust the humans came across plant and animal remains. They discovered that when exposed to high heat and pressure from within the earth itself, a volatile material was created. When this material was burned, the humans were able to make enough energy to fulfill their everyday needs.
As the wind’s human friends developed this material which they decided to call “fossil fuels,” the humans began to depend less and less on the wind. They no longer needed his powerful breath to help them with their chores. They became so preoccupied with this new fossil fuel that they didn’t even use his strong warm breath for entertainment. No more sailing, surfing or flying kites. With the energy that the fossil fuels produced powering the human’s homes and cars, the humans slowly lost appreciation for the relationship they once shared with the north wind.
As the days went by, the north wind grew sad and angry, but he relentlessly continued to share his gift. He kept hoping that one day his human friends would come to their senses and realize the damage they were doing to his and their home by burning their fossil fuels. However, the north wind soon became very frustrated watching the humans continuously burn their fossil fuels, slowing destroying both their homes (the beautiful earth) by emitting carbons into the atmosphere raising global climates. This made him so mad that he decided he would teach the humans a lesson and stop blowing altogether.
At first the humans didn’t even notice that the wind has ceased to blow. They just went about their business as usual continuously burning their fossil fuels; however they soon realized the error of their ways. This happened when their precious fossil fuel reserves quickly depleted. Depleting to the point where soon there would no longer be enough to meet their energy demands.
Now the humans were forced to find a new source of energy if they ever hoped to continue with the lives they had become accustomed to. Only then did the humans decided to call upon their old friend the north wind. He was the one who so many years before had provided them with all they needed. However, the north wind was still so angry that his human friends had so carelessly thrown away their previous relationship that the he refused to blow.
The north wind refused to provide airstreams for the human’s planes to travel on. The north wind refused to scatter puffs of air to create waves the humans could surf on. He refused to produce his friendly gusts that helped distribute seeds from the flowers the humans planted. Above all else, the north wind refused blow a cool breeze across the surface of the earth forcing his human friends sit with the suns hot rays shining down upon them without any source of relief to cool them down.
Almost out of ideas on how to persuade the wind to blow again, the humans decided to build a monument to honor the north wind showing how much they appreciated all that he did for them. Together, with the help of engineers and developers the humans created a giant steel monument. It was made with angled blades mounted upon a motor that would spin freely if and when the wind decided to blow again.
The north wind was so touched by the human’s enthusiasm toward the creation of the monument that he decided to send a small blast of air toward the blades just to see how the monument really worked. Both the north wind and the humans were surprised when the blades turned and sent an electrical current to the motor which stored the current as useable energy.
Without even trying, the humans had discovered a way to solve their energy problems as well as making the wind feel appreciated again. So from that day on humans all across the world built giant monuments for the north wind. In return for this great honor the north wind happily provided a strong breeze to spin the blades on the monuments, in turn providing the humans with all the environment friendly energy they needed.
Moral of the Story:
The power and strength of the great north wind when harnessed can provide all the energy you need to live a happy and healthy life forever.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Letters of Concern
Letter 1:
American Wind Energy Association
1101 14th Street NW, 12 Floor
Washington, DC 2005
To Whom It May Concern,
I am a student at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. As a marine biology major, I have a deep connection with the ocean and its surrounding ecosystems. I had been doing some research for a class in which I was writing a paper commending the implementation of wind energy when I stumbled across your website.
I have found a lot of information concerning terrestrial implementation of wind turbines, but little concerning implementation of both off-shore and near-shore turbines. I was hoping that perhaps you could send me some information regarding off-shore and near-shore turbines in attempt to clarify some concerns I have regarding their implementation and how it may impact the migration patterns of some aquatic mammals.
I commend your organization and all you do to help promote a healthy alternative to the nation’s energy demands. I as a United States citizen appreciate all that your organization does to increase public awareness and provide accurate up-to-date information on the domestic and international wind energy industry. As an individual concerned with our growing environmental crisis I look forward to seeing your organizations future work, but as a marine biologist I cannot ignore the potential impacts that implementation of wind energy could have on the ocean, therefore any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
I want to thank for your time in advance, and look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Kati Therriault
Letter 2:
European Wind Energy Association
Rue d'Arlon
63-65 B-1040 Brussels
Belgium
To Whom It May Concern,
I am a student at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida USA. As a marine biology major, I have a deep connection with the ocean and its surrounding ecosystems. I had been doing some research for a class in which I was writing a paper commending the implementation of wind energy when I stumbled across your website.
I have found a lot of information concerning terrestrial implementation of wind turbines, but little concerning implementation of both off-shore and near-shore turbines. I was hoping that perhaps you could send me some information regarding off-shore and near-shore turbines in attempt to clarify some concerns I have regarding their implementation and how it may impact the migration patterns of some aquatic mammals.
From my research, I have found that European Countries are superior in both the advancement of technology and implementation of wind turbines than their United States counterparts. Therefore it is my hope that with the information you provide that I may help direct my fellow citizens to the ever growing importance of using an alternative energy source (wind) to help diminish the environmental crisis we are currently facing.
As an individual concerned with the growing environmental crisis I look forward to seeing your organizations future work, but as a marine biologist I cannot ignore the potential impacts that implementation of wind energy could have on the ocean. Therefore any information you could provide to help alleviate those concerns would be greatly appreciated.
I want to thank for your time in advance, and look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Kati Therriault
Letter 3:
Utility Wind Integration Group
PO Box 2787
Reston, Virginia 20195 USA
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am a student at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. As a marine biology major, I have a deep connection with the ocean and its surrounding ecosystems. I had been doing some research for a class in which I was writing a paper commending the implementation of wind energy when I stumbled across your website.
I have found a lot of information concerning terrestrial implementation of wind turbines, but little concerning implementation of both off-shore and near-shore turbines. I was hoping that perhaps you could send me some information regarding off-shore and near-shore turbines in attempt to clarify some concerns I have regarding their implementation and how it may impact the migration patterns of some aquatic mammals.
I as a United States citizen appreciate all that your organization does to increase public awareness and provide accurate up-to-date information on the domestic and international wind energy industry. As an individual concerned with our growing environmental crisis I look forward to seeing your organizations future work, but as a marine biologist I cannot ignore the potential impacts that implementation of wind energy could have on the ocean. Therefore, if it did surface that the implementation of off-shore and near-shore wind turbines disrupted the migration patterns of many aquatic mammals would your organization still promote the utilization of wind energy as strongly as it currently does? Would you be willing to work with the organizations concerned with the well being of aquatic mammals to develop a plan that all (both humans and aquatic mammals) could benefit from? Any information you could provide to help alleviate these concerns would be greatly appreciated.
I want to thank for your time in advance, and look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Kati Therriault
American Wind Energy Association
1101 14th Street NW, 12 Floor
Washington, DC 2005
To Whom It May Concern,
I am a student at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. As a marine biology major, I have a deep connection with the ocean and its surrounding ecosystems. I had been doing some research for a class in which I was writing a paper commending the implementation of wind energy when I stumbled across your website.
I have found a lot of information concerning terrestrial implementation of wind turbines, but little concerning implementation of both off-shore and near-shore turbines. I was hoping that perhaps you could send me some information regarding off-shore and near-shore turbines in attempt to clarify some concerns I have regarding their implementation and how it may impact the migration patterns of some aquatic mammals.
I commend your organization and all you do to help promote a healthy alternative to the nation’s energy demands. I as a United States citizen appreciate all that your organization does to increase public awareness and provide accurate up-to-date information on the domestic and international wind energy industry. As an individual concerned with our growing environmental crisis I look forward to seeing your organizations future work, but as a marine biologist I cannot ignore the potential impacts that implementation of wind energy could have on the ocean, therefore any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
I want to thank for your time in advance, and look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Kati Therriault
Letter 2:
European Wind Energy Association
Rue d'Arlon
63-65 B-1040 Brussels
Belgium
To Whom It May Concern,
I am a student at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida USA. As a marine biology major, I have a deep connection with the ocean and its surrounding ecosystems. I had been doing some research for a class in which I was writing a paper commending the implementation of wind energy when I stumbled across your website.
I have found a lot of information concerning terrestrial implementation of wind turbines, but little concerning implementation of both off-shore and near-shore turbines. I was hoping that perhaps you could send me some information regarding off-shore and near-shore turbines in attempt to clarify some concerns I have regarding their implementation and how it may impact the migration patterns of some aquatic mammals.
From my research, I have found that European Countries are superior in both the advancement of technology and implementation of wind turbines than their United States counterparts. Therefore it is my hope that with the information you provide that I may help direct my fellow citizens to the ever growing importance of using an alternative energy source (wind) to help diminish the environmental crisis we are currently facing.
As an individual concerned with the growing environmental crisis I look forward to seeing your organizations future work, but as a marine biologist I cannot ignore the potential impacts that implementation of wind energy could have on the ocean. Therefore any information you could provide to help alleviate those concerns would be greatly appreciated.
I want to thank for your time in advance, and look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Kati Therriault
Letter 3:
Utility Wind Integration Group
PO Box 2787
Reston, Virginia 20195 USA
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am a student at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. As a marine biology major, I have a deep connection with the ocean and its surrounding ecosystems. I had been doing some research for a class in which I was writing a paper commending the implementation of wind energy when I stumbled across your website.
I have found a lot of information concerning terrestrial implementation of wind turbines, but little concerning implementation of both off-shore and near-shore turbines. I was hoping that perhaps you could send me some information regarding off-shore and near-shore turbines in attempt to clarify some concerns I have regarding their implementation and how it may impact the migration patterns of some aquatic mammals.
I as a United States citizen appreciate all that your organization does to increase public awareness and provide accurate up-to-date information on the domestic and international wind energy industry. As an individual concerned with our growing environmental crisis I look forward to seeing your organizations future work, but as a marine biologist I cannot ignore the potential impacts that implementation of wind energy could have on the ocean. Therefore, if it did surface that the implementation of off-shore and near-shore wind turbines disrupted the migration patterns of many aquatic mammals would your organization still promote the utilization of wind energy as strongly as it currently does? Would you be willing to work with the organizations concerned with the well being of aquatic mammals to develop a plan that all (both humans and aquatic mammals) could benefit from? Any information you could provide to help alleviate these concerns would be greatly appreciated.
I want to thank for your time in advance, and look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Kati Therriault
Sunday, November 25, 2007
In the Need for Wind Info
Three organizations associated with wind energy are....
1) American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)
website: www.awea.org
contact info: windmail@awea.org
2) European Wind Energy Association (EWEA)
website: www.ewea.org
contact info: ewea@ewea.org
3) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
website: www.ieee.org
contact info: askieee@ieee.org
4) Utility Wind Integration Group (UWIG)
website: www.uwig.org
contact info: charlie@uwig.org
1) American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)
website: www.awea.org
contact info: windmail@awea.org
2) European Wind Energy Association (EWEA)
website: www.ewea.org
contact info: ewea@ewea.org
3) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
website: www.ieee.org
contact info: askieee@ieee.org
4) Utility Wind Integration Group (UWIG)
website: www.uwig.org
contact info: charlie@uwig.org
Researched Wind
This is my paper about the Nations energy crisis and how we should look to the use of wind energy to help solve it..........
A Need for Wind
Currently in the United States, Americans across the nation are facing pressures involving energy demands. In the past few years, the increased demand for and the reduced supplies of oil have left the nation in what is presently termed an “energy crisis.” In the simplest implication, an energy crisis is defined as a problem of assuring an increasing supply of cheap energy and not one of scarcity (0rr 1030). In the current situation, the present energy crisis involves the early stages of transition from a declining energy base (oil), to another more abundant one such as an inexhaustible alternative energy source (solar power, hydrological power, and wind power). In essence, every American is currently dealing with the situation of ever increasing prices of oil; therefore, to ease the effects of this situation, the most obvious answer is to find an alternative energy source to lessen pressure on the demand and need of oil to fulfill the nation’s energy needs. Of the possible resources available to ease oil pressures, the most applicable in today’s situation is the implementation of the raw, untapped, and constant power of the wind.
Throughout the centuries, the implementation and use of wind to fulfill power and energy demands has been prevalent from the time of the early Egyptians, through European exploration, and even into early American history, but before any of the ancient civilizations were able to use the power of wind to their advantage, they had to first
understand the general characteristics of wind. In essence, according to Robert Righter the author of the book Wind Energy in American History, the fundamental nature of wind represents a primary force, created by the earth’s variations in temperature and air pressure (3). Wind is a form of solar energy, generated when sun-heated air rises and cooler air rushes to fill the vacuum (Righter 3). More generally, wind is the flow of air, of gases which compose an atmosphere and are classified by their spatial scale, their speed, the types of forces that cause them, and the geographic regions in which they occur. With the knowledge of how the wind works, ancient civilization like the Egyptians, the Europeans, and the early Americans, used the raw power of the wind to their advantage; essentially paved the way for the present uses of wind in helping to deliberate today’s energy crisis.
When imagining the main use of the wind in terms of production of energy and power, the first application generally leads one to focus on the most apparent use in both present and historical times. Without question, the main machine that has been able to and continues to harness the raw power of the wind has been the boat. Boats have been harnessing the power of the wind for travel and exploration for centuries. For instance, Egyptians, who later became known as river people, were using wind power to propel small water crafts with sails of linen or papyrus up and down the Nile as early as 3100 B.C. (Righter 6). Likewise, Europeans who are most commonly acknowledged for their use and understanding of the prevailing winds and the specific patterns of circulation associated with the movement of the wind used the sheer power the wind generates to guide exploration of the new world ultimately leading to the discovery of the Americas (Righter 6). In the situations described above wind was used as an energy resource before the general public even truly understood its benefits, therefore, there is no reason why in a society that now comprehends the advantages that wind provides, why it should not be implemented to help resolve the energy crisis.
In congruence, with use in travel and exploration wind was just as important in early American history, to entrepreneur Charles Brush who also discovered the benefits of harnessing the wind, when he turned the vagrant wind of Ohio into useful electricity (Righter 43). In 1888, Brush paved the way for public utility with his Giant Wind Dynamo (resembling the modern windmill) which created enough electricity to power 350 incandescent lights and a number of electric motors which in that time was state of the art, of which nothing comparable had ever been previously attempted before in the United States (Righter 43). In general, the history and use of wind summarizes that wind energy has been around, and in use, since the time of Egyptians. Likewise, wind has been used for travel, exploration, and even public utility on the small scale. With today’s technology, no evidence shows reason why Brush’s design could not be enhanced to be able to provide power for the entire nation, in turn reducing the demand on oil and in quintessence shrinking the energy crisis.
As observed previously, a number of benefits to the implementation and use of wind as an energy source throughout history, but the benefits of travel, exploration and small scale public utility were only the beginning of the payback that could come about from the implementation of wind as an alternative energy source. Among benefits that today’s society can generate from the use of wind energy, the most observable is in the fact that wind energy seemingly causes no negative impacts to the environment. According to Martin Pasqualetti, author of the article Morality, Space, and the Power of Wind-Energy Landscapes, “wind power produces no global warming, wind power floods no canyons, demands no water, contaminates no soil, and leaves no permanent and dangerous waste” (382). More generally what Pasqualetti is attempting to express, is that unlike other energy resources, which can damage the environment with both construction and implementation, wind generated power causes no direct damage to the environment, therefore, leaving the environment in the same condition it was in prior to completing construction.
Another modern benefit of the implementation of wind energy is in the exploitation of private use. Using wind energy supplied by a private wind turbine can not only reduce the demand of public utility, but also ultimately power the same things that the common public utility provides energy to. In support of this, Paul Gipe, author of the book, Wind Power for Home and Business, stated “a private wind machine reduces your consumption of utility-supplied electricity whether it is for lighting, appliances, or electric heat, and just like conventional methods, the wind turbine will power ones clock, stereo, refrigerator and even the lights” (16). In other words, all the electrical needs that one demands from the public utility, or rather an organization supplying the community with electricity, gas, and water, could be met by the landowners themselves if they constructed a wind turbine on their own property and used the power the turbine generated to meet their personal energy demands.
Likewise, individuals or land owners could further benefit from the private implementation of wind energy by selling unused energy, energy that exceeds their demands back to a public utility. For instance, landowners operating a twenty megawatt wind plant at twenty-five percent capacity with an average energy payment of $0.05 would produce gross revenue of over $2,190,000 (Pasqauletti 389). If the landowner interested in private ownership of a wind turbine knew of no other benefits, the revenue they could produce from implementation should be enough to persuade the construction of an individual wind turbine. Therefore, the implementation of wind energy as an alternative energy source can not only help reduce the demand on oil, eliminating the energy crisis, can also be beneficial in terms of environmental impacts, and in the profits the individual can collect.
In comparison with the rest of the world, the United States is behind the times in terms of the implementation of wind energy because it was not until just recently that wind farms began to spring up across the nation, but globally, wind as an alternative energy source is currently in use in many mountainous areas of Europe which rely primarily of wind driven turbines to power their towns and villages (Gipe 23). Likewise, in terms of global implementation Pasqualetti claims, “Globally the generating capacity of commercial wind turbines now exceeds 14,000 megawatts” (382). If that much power is being produced globally, imagine what the United States could produce if wind farms were strategically placed in states like Kansas, Texas, and the Dakotas where there is a constant movement of wind across a flat plain. For instance, North Dakota alone has enough wind energy to supply 36% of the electricity used in the lower forty-eight states (Pasqualetti 388). An area of 50,000 km2 (about the size of New Jersey) could satisfy 20% of the nations demands, and although that is a substantial amount of land, only 5% of it would occupied by turbines, electrical equipment, and access roads with the rest of the land being open for use such as grazing with little interruptions (Pasqualetti 388). Surprisingly enough, if the United States were to implement the use of wind energy on a trial basis, one could assume that the general public would be attracted to the implementation not only by the rising cost of fossil fuels, but by the increased pubic support for renewable energy. With that in mind, and with the notion of implementation already underway globally, the United States could effectively decrease the effects of the energy crisis the nation is currently facing.
Although supporters have found a number of benefits to the implementation of wind energy as an alternative energy source, critics have also found some draw backs to its execution. Of which, the most common argument of implementation arises when the large array of wind turbines degrades the quality of the landscape. More generally, the public opinion is that the cold steel masses which outline the wind turbines take away from the ascetically pleasing nature of the landscape as a whole. Public opinion has even gone as far as to claim that “wind energy is a new way to rape the countryside” (Pasqualetti 389). Undoubtedly, engineers and developers have essentially found no way to hide the large steel frames of the turbines, so if implementation was to occur, the observable presence of the wind turbines would have to be dealt with. This is one such problem that both developers and engineers face regularly in regards to implementation and how execution could potentially aid in developing a resolution to the energy crisis.
Another argument towards the national implementation of wind energy as a renewable energy source is that the construction of the turbines changes the landscape, and that change is threatening to some of the general pubic. Even in the simplest form, change can be a scary occurrence, in congruence changing the landscape that a person has become accustomed to, also seems to be increasingly threatening. Perhaps as Pasqualetti has hypothesized, people expect permanence in their landscape, an idea that has slowly developed over centuries with the notion of natures own slow evolution of change (390). In general, such change can be fundamentally disturbing because we are not biologically evolved enough to cope with the modern speed of change. Therefore, any change to daily routine is found to be threatening. However, if one could suppress their fears and look logically toward the future, they would see that implementation of alternative energy resources like wind energy, is needed to help the nation get out of the energy crisis and move forward with economic growth.
In general, people today have no want or need to see where their energy comes from, an idea which has slowly dissipated through public; consciousness, however with wind energy, hiding the turbines from view is not an option, no matter how hard developers try, the turbines are still going to be visible due to the undeniable fact that in order to harness the power of the wind, the turbines need to stand above the horizon where the wind flows. Therefore, no matter how much developers and engineers do to reduce the impact of the wind turbines on landscape, nothing can render them invisible. Even with the new technologies working to make the turbines more efficient, more powerful, and quieter, it still cannot take away from the fact that the turbines are going to be seen” (Paqualetti 391).Although there are some visual drawbacks to wind energy, with industry working to look more carefully at scale, symmetry of design, careful road preparation, and equipment maintenance, as well as the public accepting and embracing the winds visibility as an asset and not a problem, the drawbacks should not out weigh the benefits of implementation and diminish the need for oil, therefore reducing the energy crisis.
With the energy crisis the United States currently finds itself in, and with a continuous demand for rapidly depleting fossil fuels creating an overwhelming need for implementation and use of alternative energy sources, with the strongest push coming from the implementation of wind as an energy resource. Although not commonly known, wind energy has been used as a direct source of power for centuries, dating as far back as 3100 B.C. where ancient Egyptians used wind power for travel. Likewise a few centuries later, European exploration was ultimately driven by the power of the wind. Therefore, with as rich a history of implementation and use that wind energy has, there should be little question as the aid that implementation into today’s society could provide to help eliminate the current energy crisis.
In general developers in charge of implementing renewable resources have found many benefits to using wind energy above any other energy source, but of all the benefits, the most impressive is the fact that wind energy produces no global warming, wind power floods no canyons, demands no water, contaminates no soil, and leaves no permanent and dangerous waste, like some of the other traditional alternative energy sources do. The current use of wind energy as an alternative form of energy has just recently been observed in the United States, but in places where it has been implanted, the benefits from its use are becoming increasingly popular. If wind farms could be placed in areas like shown through the example with North Dakota, then the nations energy needs could be met without question, reducing the overall need for fossil fuels.
Even with all the benefits of the implantation of wind energy, there cannot be denial that the large wind turbine structures will not visually disrupt the natural beauty of the landscape. If the public was to accept the notion of seeing where their energy supplies come from, then the public opinion for the need of aesthetic quality to the landscape would slowly diminish, taking with it, the overall fear of change. Therefore, with the current energy situation that the United States finds itself in, there is an ever increasing need to find an alternative energy source. Likewise, if the public would like to keep the environment in prestigious condition for enjoyment of future generations, and if the need is there, why not let the use of wind energy fill that need and eliminate some of the demands on fossil fuels, therefore removing the United States from its current energy crisis.
References Cited
Buckley-Golder, D. H., R. G. Derwent, K. F. Langley, J. F. Walker, and A. V. Ward. "Contribution of Renewable Energy Technologies to Future Energy Requirements." The Statistician 1st ser. 33 (1984): 111-132. JSTOR. Institute of Statistician. Eckerd College, St. Petersburg. 23 Oct. 2007. Keyword: Wind Energy.
Gipe, Paul. Wind Power for Home and Business. Post Mills, Vermont: Chelsea Green, 1993. 1-156.
Orr, David W. "U.S. Energy Policy and the Political Economy of Participation." The Journal of Politics 4th ser. 41 (1979): 1027-1056. JSTOR. Southern Political Science Association. Eckerd College, St. Petersburg. 23 Oct. 2007. Keyword: Wind Energy.
Pasqualetti, Martin J. "Morality, Space, and the Power of Wind-Energy Landscapes." Geographical Review 3rd ser. 90 (2001): 381-394. JSTOR. American Geographical Society. Eckerd College, St. Petersburg. 23 Oct. 2007. Keyword: Wind Energy.
Righter, Robert W. Wind Energy in America: a History. London: University of Oakland P, 1996. 1-101.
"Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program." Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. 31 May 2007. U.S. Department of Energy. 23 Oct. 2007.
A Need for Wind
Currently in the United States, Americans across the nation are facing pressures involving energy demands. In the past few years, the increased demand for and the reduced supplies of oil have left the nation in what is presently termed an “energy crisis.” In the simplest implication, an energy crisis is defined as a problem of assuring an increasing supply of cheap energy and not one of scarcity (0rr 1030). In the current situation, the present energy crisis involves the early stages of transition from a declining energy base (oil), to another more abundant one such as an inexhaustible alternative energy source (solar power, hydrological power, and wind power). In essence, every American is currently dealing with the situation of ever increasing prices of oil; therefore, to ease the effects of this situation, the most obvious answer is to find an alternative energy source to lessen pressure on the demand and need of oil to fulfill the nation’s energy needs. Of the possible resources available to ease oil pressures, the most applicable in today’s situation is the implementation of the raw, untapped, and constant power of the wind.
Throughout the centuries, the implementation and use of wind to fulfill power and energy demands has been prevalent from the time of the early Egyptians, through European exploration, and even into early American history, but before any of the ancient civilizations were able to use the power of wind to their advantage, they had to first
understand the general characteristics of wind. In essence, according to Robert Righter the author of the book Wind Energy in American History, the fundamental nature of wind represents a primary force, created by the earth’s variations in temperature and air pressure (3). Wind is a form of solar energy, generated when sun-heated air rises and cooler air rushes to fill the vacuum (Righter 3). More generally, wind is the flow of air, of gases which compose an atmosphere and are classified by their spatial scale, their speed, the types of forces that cause them, and the geographic regions in which they occur. With the knowledge of how the wind works, ancient civilization like the Egyptians, the Europeans, and the early Americans, used the raw power of the wind to their advantage; essentially paved the way for the present uses of wind in helping to deliberate today’s energy crisis.
When imagining the main use of the wind in terms of production of energy and power, the first application generally leads one to focus on the most apparent use in both present and historical times. Without question, the main machine that has been able to and continues to harness the raw power of the wind has been the boat. Boats have been harnessing the power of the wind for travel and exploration for centuries. For instance, Egyptians, who later became known as river people, were using wind power to propel small water crafts with sails of linen or papyrus up and down the Nile as early as 3100 B.C. (Righter 6). Likewise, Europeans who are most commonly acknowledged for their use and understanding of the prevailing winds and the specific patterns of circulation associated with the movement of the wind used the sheer power the wind generates to guide exploration of the new world ultimately leading to the discovery of the Americas (Righter 6). In the situations described above wind was used as an energy resource before the general public even truly understood its benefits, therefore, there is no reason why in a society that now comprehends the advantages that wind provides, why it should not be implemented to help resolve the energy crisis.
In congruence, with use in travel and exploration wind was just as important in early American history, to entrepreneur Charles Brush who also discovered the benefits of harnessing the wind, when he turned the vagrant wind of Ohio into useful electricity (Righter 43). In 1888, Brush paved the way for public utility with his Giant Wind Dynamo (resembling the modern windmill) which created enough electricity to power 350 incandescent lights and a number of electric motors which in that time was state of the art, of which nothing comparable had ever been previously attempted before in the United States (Righter 43). In general, the history and use of wind summarizes that wind energy has been around, and in use, since the time of Egyptians. Likewise, wind has been used for travel, exploration, and even public utility on the small scale. With today’s technology, no evidence shows reason why Brush’s design could not be enhanced to be able to provide power for the entire nation, in turn reducing the demand on oil and in quintessence shrinking the energy crisis.
As observed previously, a number of benefits to the implementation and use of wind as an energy source throughout history, but the benefits of travel, exploration and small scale public utility were only the beginning of the payback that could come about from the implementation of wind as an alternative energy source. Among benefits that today’s society can generate from the use of wind energy, the most observable is in the fact that wind energy seemingly causes no negative impacts to the environment. According to Martin Pasqualetti, author of the article Morality, Space, and the Power of Wind-Energy Landscapes, “wind power produces no global warming, wind power floods no canyons, demands no water, contaminates no soil, and leaves no permanent and dangerous waste” (382). More generally what Pasqualetti is attempting to express, is that unlike other energy resources, which can damage the environment with both construction and implementation, wind generated power causes no direct damage to the environment, therefore, leaving the environment in the same condition it was in prior to completing construction.
Another modern benefit of the implementation of wind energy is in the exploitation of private use. Using wind energy supplied by a private wind turbine can not only reduce the demand of public utility, but also ultimately power the same things that the common public utility provides energy to. In support of this, Paul Gipe, author of the book, Wind Power for Home and Business, stated “a private wind machine reduces your consumption of utility-supplied electricity whether it is for lighting, appliances, or electric heat, and just like conventional methods, the wind turbine will power ones clock, stereo, refrigerator and even the lights” (16). In other words, all the electrical needs that one demands from the public utility, or rather an organization supplying the community with electricity, gas, and water, could be met by the landowners themselves if they constructed a wind turbine on their own property and used the power the turbine generated to meet their personal energy demands.
Likewise, individuals or land owners could further benefit from the private implementation of wind energy by selling unused energy, energy that exceeds their demands back to a public utility. For instance, landowners operating a twenty megawatt wind plant at twenty-five percent capacity with an average energy payment of $0.05 would produce gross revenue of over $2,190,000 (Pasqauletti 389). If the landowner interested in private ownership of a wind turbine knew of no other benefits, the revenue they could produce from implementation should be enough to persuade the construction of an individual wind turbine. Therefore, the implementation of wind energy as an alternative energy source can not only help reduce the demand on oil, eliminating the energy crisis, can also be beneficial in terms of environmental impacts, and in the profits the individual can collect.
In comparison with the rest of the world, the United States is behind the times in terms of the implementation of wind energy because it was not until just recently that wind farms began to spring up across the nation, but globally, wind as an alternative energy source is currently in use in many mountainous areas of Europe which rely primarily of wind driven turbines to power their towns and villages (Gipe 23). Likewise, in terms of global implementation Pasqualetti claims, “Globally the generating capacity of commercial wind turbines now exceeds 14,000 megawatts” (382). If that much power is being produced globally, imagine what the United States could produce if wind farms were strategically placed in states like Kansas, Texas, and the Dakotas where there is a constant movement of wind across a flat plain. For instance, North Dakota alone has enough wind energy to supply 36% of the electricity used in the lower forty-eight states (Pasqualetti 388). An area of 50,000 km2 (about the size of New Jersey) could satisfy 20% of the nations demands, and although that is a substantial amount of land, only 5% of it would occupied by turbines, electrical equipment, and access roads with the rest of the land being open for use such as grazing with little interruptions (Pasqualetti 388). Surprisingly enough, if the United States were to implement the use of wind energy on a trial basis, one could assume that the general public would be attracted to the implementation not only by the rising cost of fossil fuels, but by the increased pubic support for renewable energy. With that in mind, and with the notion of implementation already underway globally, the United States could effectively decrease the effects of the energy crisis the nation is currently facing.
Although supporters have found a number of benefits to the implementation of wind energy as an alternative energy source, critics have also found some draw backs to its execution. Of which, the most common argument of implementation arises when the large array of wind turbines degrades the quality of the landscape. More generally, the public opinion is that the cold steel masses which outline the wind turbines take away from the ascetically pleasing nature of the landscape as a whole. Public opinion has even gone as far as to claim that “wind energy is a new way to rape the countryside” (Pasqualetti 389). Undoubtedly, engineers and developers have essentially found no way to hide the large steel frames of the turbines, so if implementation was to occur, the observable presence of the wind turbines would have to be dealt with. This is one such problem that both developers and engineers face regularly in regards to implementation and how execution could potentially aid in developing a resolution to the energy crisis.
Another argument towards the national implementation of wind energy as a renewable energy source is that the construction of the turbines changes the landscape, and that change is threatening to some of the general pubic. Even in the simplest form, change can be a scary occurrence, in congruence changing the landscape that a person has become accustomed to, also seems to be increasingly threatening. Perhaps as Pasqualetti has hypothesized, people expect permanence in their landscape, an idea that has slowly developed over centuries with the notion of natures own slow evolution of change (390). In general, such change can be fundamentally disturbing because we are not biologically evolved enough to cope with the modern speed of change. Therefore, any change to daily routine is found to be threatening. However, if one could suppress their fears and look logically toward the future, they would see that implementation of alternative energy resources like wind energy, is needed to help the nation get out of the energy crisis and move forward with economic growth.
In general, people today have no want or need to see where their energy comes from, an idea which has slowly dissipated through public; consciousness, however with wind energy, hiding the turbines from view is not an option, no matter how hard developers try, the turbines are still going to be visible due to the undeniable fact that in order to harness the power of the wind, the turbines need to stand above the horizon where the wind flows. Therefore, no matter how much developers and engineers do to reduce the impact of the wind turbines on landscape, nothing can render them invisible. Even with the new technologies working to make the turbines more efficient, more powerful, and quieter, it still cannot take away from the fact that the turbines are going to be seen” (Paqualetti 391).Although there are some visual drawbacks to wind energy, with industry working to look more carefully at scale, symmetry of design, careful road preparation, and equipment maintenance, as well as the public accepting and embracing the winds visibility as an asset and not a problem, the drawbacks should not out weigh the benefits of implementation and diminish the need for oil, therefore reducing the energy crisis.
With the energy crisis the United States currently finds itself in, and with a continuous demand for rapidly depleting fossil fuels creating an overwhelming need for implementation and use of alternative energy sources, with the strongest push coming from the implementation of wind as an energy resource. Although not commonly known, wind energy has been used as a direct source of power for centuries, dating as far back as 3100 B.C. where ancient Egyptians used wind power for travel. Likewise a few centuries later, European exploration was ultimately driven by the power of the wind. Therefore, with as rich a history of implementation and use that wind energy has, there should be little question as the aid that implementation into today’s society could provide to help eliminate the current energy crisis.
In general developers in charge of implementing renewable resources have found many benefits to using wind energy above any other energy source, but of all the benefits, the most impressive is the fact that wind energy produces no global warming, wind power floods no canyons, demands no water, contaminates no soil, and leaves no permanent and dangerous waste, like some of the other traditional alternative energy sources do. The current use of wind energy as an alternative form of energy has just recently been observed in the United States, but in places where it has been implanted, the benefits from its use are becoming increasingly popular. If wind farms could be placed in areas like shown through the example with North Dakota, then the nations energy needs could be met without question, reducing the overall need for fossil fuels.
Even with all the benefits of the implantation of wind energy, there cannot be denial that the large wind turbine structures will not visually disrupt the natural beauty of the landscape. If the public was to accept the notion of seeing where their energy supplies come from, then the public opinion for the need of aesthetic quality to the landscape would slowly diminish, taking with it, the overall fear of change. Therefore, with the current energy situation that the United States finds itself in, there is an ever increasing need to find an alternative energy source. Likewise, if the public would like to keep the environment in prestigious condition for enjoyment of future generations, and if the need is there, why not let the use of wind energy fill that need and eliminate some of the demands on fossil fuels, therefore removing the United States from its current energy crisis.
References Cited
Buckley-Golder, D. H., R. G. Derwent, K. F. Langley, J. F. Walker, and A. V. Ward. "Contribution of Renewable Energy Technologies to Future Energy Requirements." The Statistician 1st ser. 33 (1984): 111-132. JSTOR. Institute of Statistician. Eckerd College, St. Petersburg. 23 Oct. 2007. Keyword: Wind Energy.
Gipe, Paul. Wind Power for Home and Business. Post Mills, Vermont: Chelsea Green, 1993. 1-156.
Orr, David W. "U.S. Energy Policy and the Political Economy of Participation." The Journal of Politics 4th ser. 41 (1979): 1027-1056. JSTOR. Southern Political Science Association. Eckerd College, St. Petersburg. 23 Oct. 2007. Keyword: Wind Energy.
Pasqualetti, Martin J. "Morality, Space, and the Power of Wind-Energy Landscapes." Geographical Review 3rd ser. 90 (2001): 381-394. JSTOR. American Geographical Society. Eckerd College, St. Petersburg. 23 Oct. 2007. Keyword: Wind Energy.
Righter, Robert W. Wind Energy in America: a History. London: University of Oakland P, 1996. 1-101.
"Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program." Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. 31 May 2007. U.S. Department of Energy. 23 Oct. 2007
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