Discuss the pros and cons of harnessing wind energy using wind turbines, and whether you think this is a viable solution for meeting the energy demands of people

Answer 1

The pros of wind power include the following: it is nonpolluting; it not restricted to daytime (like solar power); they are no more unsightly than electrical towers and power lines; technology is enhancing wind turbine capabilities of capturing a range of wind speeds (5 knots to 45 knots); and as fossil fuels diminish, wind can help fill the gap of our energy needs.

The cons of wind power include the following: it is costly (a single turbine can cost more than $1 million); turbines can be unsightly, the spinning blades of turbines can kill birds; and there needs to be a steady flow of wind that is neither too strong nor too weak.

Whether one thinks this is viable source of energy is subjective, but answers should include some evaluation of the pros and cons of wind power. Furthermore, one might mention that the United States Department of Energy has estimated that wind energy, using current technology, could provide 20% of the U.S.'s electricity by 2030 - a percentage that may seem significant to some and not to others.