1. Plusses and Minuses of Wind Energy By Haoxiang Wang, Alec Bolinsky, Rhiannon (Annie) Stauffer, Abdullah Harkan Prepared for BIO / EES / EGY 105 at Wilkes University, 11 December 2015

2. Introduction to Wind Energy - History ●Proof of wind energy use as early as 5000 B.C. ●By 200 B.C., simple windmills were used in China ●Vertical-axis windmills used in Persia and the Middle East ●By the 11th century, Middle East used windmills extensively for food production a.Idea was also brought to Europe by merchants and crusaders ●The Dutch refined the windmill a.Settlers took windmills to the New World in the late 19th century

3. Wind Energy History ●Development of electric power - windmills used in 20th century ●Interest in wind power became greater during oil shortages in 1970s ●Wind energy in the US waned during 1980s ●Continued to grow in Europe

4. Wind Energy Today ●Wind energy is now considered fastest growing energy source in the world ●Wind-powered generators in operation in every size range ●Currently produces more than 10% of electricity in 9 states

5. Wind Energy Growth

6. How a Wind Turbine Works

7. Pros & Cons of Wind Energy 1.U.S. emissions have primarily come from power sector a.38% Nation-wide emission b.Coal = 70% of power sector emissions. c.Natural Gas= 20% of power sector emissions 2. Potential for wind energy is extraordinary a.Can supply an estimated 20% of U.S. and world electricity b.Currently only accounts for 4% of the power sector

8. Economic Advantages Revitalizes Rural Economies Fewer subsidies Free Fuel Price Stability Promotes Cost-Effective Energy Production Creates Jobs

9. Social Advantages National Security/Energy Independence Supports Agriculture Local Ownership

10. Environmental Advantages Can be built on existing farms Clean Renewable Largest Turbines can power 600 U.S. Homes Domestic abundance

11. Disadvantages Very high initial investment required Noise and aesthetic pollution Can kill wildlife (Birds flying into rotors) Transmission lines will need to be built for remote wind farms

12. Future of Wind Energy ●Wind Vision Report ●Wind energy can become one of America’s top electricity sources by mid-century a.10% by 2020 b.20% by 2030 c.35% by 2050 ●Will deliver tens of billions of dollars of savings per year

13. In Summary ●Wind power positives outweigh the negatives ●Any negative impact of wind power has a solution ●We must promote wind power renewable energy economy ●Wind can provide a sustainable energy for the future