Open Access
Table 1
Pros and cons of wind energy [1,3,40,41,52].
| PROS AND CONS OF WIND ENERGY | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Cons |
| Renewable: Wind energy is a renewable resource that does not deplete over time, unlike non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels. | Intermittent: Wind energy is a variable and fluctuating source of energy, meaning that the amount of electricity generated can vary depending on the wind speed and direction. |
| Clean: Wind energy is a clean source of energy and does not produce greenhouse gases or other pollutants that harm the environment. | Land and wildlife impact: Wind turbines require a large amount of land, which can have an impact on wildlife habitats and ecosystems. |
| Cost-effective: Once a wind turbine is installed, it can generate electricity at a relatively low cost, which makes it an attractive option for many countries. | Noise pollution: Noise pollution is highlighted in many articles, and I have personally experienced the noise of a wind farm, which has been protested by residence in the proximity to the wind farms. |
| Job creation: Wind energy projects can create job opportunities in manufacturing, construction, and operation and maintenance. | Visual impact: The rotating blades of wind turbines can visually distracting and disturbing to some people. Also, clusters can be significant, as the number of turbines can create a visually overwhelming effect. Moreover, flicker effect. |
| Can be installed in various locations: Wind turbines can be installed in both urban and rural areas, making it a versatile option for electricity generation. | Energy storage: Energy storage technology is still developing, and without a reliable and affordable way to store excess energy, wind energy cannot always be relied upon as a sole source of energy |
| Abundant: Wind is a ubiquitous resource and is available in many parts of the world, making it a widely accessible source of energy. | Need for Infrastructure: Wind turbines require long transmission lines and other infrastructure to connect them to the power grid, due to remote wind potential sites such as Offshore wind farms, which can be expensive and disruptive. |
| Land Use: Wind turbines can be installed on land that is otherwise unusable for other purposes, such as agricultural land, reducing the competition for land resources. | Initial Costs: While wind energy can be cost-effective in the long-term, there can be high initial costs associated with the installation of wind turbines and related infrastructure. |
| Energy Security: Wind energy can help to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and improve energy security. | Land Use and Land Rights: Wind turbines require greater land extent per MW for their installation compared with the thermal power plants. Hence, land acquisition has become a challenge. |
| Scalable: Wind energy systems can be scaled up or down depending on the energy demand, making it a flexible energy source. | Energy Storage: Wind energy is a variable source of energy and requires energy storage systems such as batteries, pump storage etc. in-order to be demand responsive to the grid. |
| Low Operational Costs: Once installed, wind turbines have low operational costs and can generate electricity for many years. | Turbulence and Wind Shear: Wind turbines are affected by turbulence and wind shear, which can reduce their efficiency and increase maintenance requirements. |
| No Fuel Cost: Unlike fossil fuel plants, wind turbines do not require any fuel, which means that there are no ongoing fuel costs associated with wind energy. | Transportation and Logistics: The transportation and logistics required for the installation of wind turbines can be complex and expensive. |
| Improves Air Quality: Wind energy does not produce any emissions, which means that it does not contribute to air pollution, a significant environmental and health problem. | Decommissioning: Wind turbines have a lifespan of around 20-25 years and must be decommissioned and recycled in an acceptable environment friendly manner to qualify the project to be sustainable, which can be expensive and time-consuming. |
| Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Wind energy can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a major contributor to climate change, by displacing fossil fuels. | Aesthetics: Wind turbines may be considered unattractive by some people, which can impact the property value. |
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