WINDS OF TIME

            For years American’s have grown accustom to relying on fossil fuels as their primary energy source.  This energy is nonrenewal and has forced the American populace, and the American Government to become depended on foreign countries to meet produce fuels to meet the energy need of the nation.  Within the borders of the United States, there are an untapped resource of unlimited potential that has not been resourced proper, has been mismanaged, and has had little funding .  With the rise of fossil fuels, the inconsistent production of fossil fuels, and the threat to national security looming in the near future, a new resource is required immediately to meet the nation’s energy needs.  One of these resources is wind.  Even though wind has been around since the beginning of time, it is not until just recently that we have begun “capturing” the wind.

            It is only a matter of time that we run out of fossil fuels.  In fact, “based on the increase in consumption as well as reserves, the conclusion is that current trends suggest that all fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal) could be depleted within decades, possibly as early as 2060.” (Burek, 2010)  Nearly 70 percent of America’s requirements for electricity are generated by fossil fuels.  In fact, coal is the leading fossil fuel that generates electricity and since it is a nonrenewable resource, finding an alternative source is critical.  Fossil fuels are considered nonrenewable resource because once extracted, it is refined into a number of fuels and cannot be replenished once it is burned.  One alternative is the windmill.  Unlike fossil fuels, the windmill and other renewable resources (other than water) supply less than 1 percent of the electricity generated in the United States.  One can not get a true average of what a windmill would produce, but “some modern wind turbines generate as much as 3.6 megawatts of electrical energy.” (Daugherty, 2005)  Also, there is a huge difference in location and when and how the wind blows.  Understanding that the wind direction and speed is different everywhere and that catching the wind all depends on the right time at the right place.  In comparing the windmill to fossil fuels, the windmill could not generate the same capacity of electricity that is being produced by fossil fuels today. 

Although wind is the fastest growing power source of its kind, it still won’t provide but 12 percent of the earth’s electricity within two decades.  Here in America, places such as Texas, Oregon and Kansas are harvesting wind farms that have helped the wind-energy output by over 60 percent last year.  Most people do not believe the hype when it comes to renewable energy and some even blame it for oil prices to go up.   Other ways to help the environment and help reduce the energy that is being used are the use of conventional fuel through efficiency incentives.  “Strict standards can cut energy use in everything from air conditioners to cars.  Compact fluorescent lamps use a quarter of the electricity of incandescent bulbs to provide the same amount of light.” (Rossevelt, 2002)  In the end, it still is a matter of choice when it comes to helping the environment.  Whether by pressure from the utilities department or strict standards enforced by the Government, we still have a lot to learn when it comes to doing the right thing. 

 Better yet, tell me what you think?

http://youtu.be/FpucONE7WWk

Work Cited

Burek, S. (2010). When will Fossil Fuels Finally Run Out and What is the Technical Potential

for Renewable Energy Resoruces? International Journal of COMADEM. 13(4)22-27, 6p

Daugherty, Michael K.; Carter, Vinson R.. Technology Teacher, Feb2010, Vol. 69 Issue 5, p24-28, 5p

Roosevelt, M.; Sekiguchi, T.(2002).The Winds of Change. Time. 160(9), 40