Wind Power Versus Hydroelectric Power: Which is Better for the Environment?

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The energy produced and created by using the kinetic energy which comes from the wind naturally is known as the wind power. Wind power is the technology to catch the energy gained with movement, kinetic energy, and change this energy into electrical power which is useful in many places, such as households throughout the nation. Wind power can be produced by using a device called wind electric turbine. Several huge blades, about 30 feet long, are placed on each wind turbine. While wind passes through the blades, the wind with kinetic energy makes the blades to turn. The movement of blades makes a shaft inside the turbine to be in motion as well with the same velocity of the blades. This work turns the kinetic energy into rotational energy which will be stored into a generator located at the bottom of the turbine. After the rotational energy is kept in the generator, this energy is changed into electrical energy. Finally, the electrical energy is removed into the electrical plant for storage by the power lines until the communities are in need of energy.

Referring the process, systems, structures, and equipment that help with conversion between kinetic energy and the pressure energy of flowing water into electrical energy is known as hydroelectric power. Hydroelectric skill became a leading force of development in the living standard during the electrical age. During the Industrial Revolution, hydro mechanical technology was developed based on simple water wheels from ancient times. The method, conversion of flowing water to electricity, is known as very environmental process because no waste is created during energy generation. Many hydroelectric power plants depend on the same similar basic rule as a historical water wheel. Howe...

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...tion or loss of fish habitat, and inundation of wildlife habitat and land in some cases. There could be changes in stream water quality and reservoir in some cases as well.

Although both wind power and hydroelectric power have some disadvantages, I believe wind power is more useful than hydroelectric power because wind power will not produce any pollutants while hydroelectric power produces few minimal pollution. Also, hydroelectric power plant needs high investment costs, so this device cannot be built by the developing countries. On the other hand, the cost of wind power is decreasing because of better generation techniques and technology improvements, so the wind power will become increasingly feasible as a main source of mechanical power and electricity. I believe the device that can be built by everyone is more likely to reduce global warming problems faster.

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