Energy from the Wind
Li Yung
1Every year, more people are looking to get energy from the wind. Wind is a clean, renewable source of energy. Renewable sources of energy come from natural resources that will not run out, such as sunlight, wind, and water. Renewable energy is also called “clean energy” because it does not dirty, or pollute, the air or water.
2We need to use renewable energy sources to keep our world healthy. One problem facing our world is global warming, a rise in the earth’s temperature. Global warming is likely caused by pollution created when people use fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal. Fossil fuels give us energy, but they create pollution and they cannot be renewed. That means that once people have used them, they cannot be replaced. Wind energy, on the other hand, does not pollute and will never be used up.
3Wind is one of the oldest sources of energy. People have used the wind’s power since the beginning of recorded time. Over 5,000 years ago, ancient Egyptians used wind to sail ships on the Nile River. Later, people built windmills, thin buildings with spinning blades that are turned by the wind. When the wind turns the blades, the movement powers simple machines that can grind wheat, cut wood, or help with other tasks. For example, in the United States, people built thousands of windmills in the West that pumped water for farms and ranches.
4Today’s wind machines are a lot like the old-fashioned windmills. These machines, called turbines, use blades to collect the wind’s energy. Instead of using that energy for simple tasks, though, turbines turn the energy into electricity. Today’s wind machines are built on huge towers that are hollow and made of strong steel. The blades, called rotors, are made of tough, light materials called fiberglass and polyester. Here’s how the wind machine works. The wind pushes on the blades, making them turn. The turning blades spin a shaft that is connected to a generator, a machine that makes electricity. This electricity is then sent along wires to homes, businesses, and schools. It is used to power all sorts of tools and machines, from computers to can openers.
5Wind turbines are very striking and impressive to see. The most common type of turbine has blades like airplane propellers. Turbines stand twenty stories tall and have three blades that are each two hundred feet long. The largest wind turbine in the world, located in Hawaii, has blades that are longer than a football field!
6You may also see many wind turbines together in one area. People often build the turbines close together in a wind-power plant called a wind farm. A large wind farm may consist of a few dozen to about one hundred wind machines. One of the largest wind farms in the United States is in Altamont Pass, California. It has more than 900 wind turbines! Wind farms are built in flat, open areas where the wind blows at least twelve miles per hour.
7Scientists have found that wind usually passes over water more quickly than over land. To use these fast winds, people have created offshore wind farms, wind farms located in the middle of oceans and large lakes. The United States does not have any offshore wind farms right now, but projects are in the works in the waters off Massachusetts, Texas, Delaware, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. There also may be a wind farm on Lake Erie near Cleveland, Ohio.
8Despite the growth in wind farms’ popularity, some people oppose their use. One complaint is that the sight of wind farms may ruin the natural beauty of the land. However, some people think wind farms are attractive and interesting. Others look beyond the appearances and consider the great advantages offered by wind energy: a clean, renewable resource that can bring people the power they need.
Question
Why did the author write this passage?
Responses
A to show that energy use is increasingto show that energy use is increasing
B to explain the importance of wind energyto explain the importance of wind energy
C to encourage people to avoid wind energyto encourage people to avoid wind energy
D to persuade people to build wind turbines