Wind power isn’t a new concept. In fact, humans have been using wind power for almost 5,500 years to propel boats. Architects have also used wind as a natural ventilator in buildings since ancient times. Hammurabi, the Babylonian emperor, used wind power for an irrigation project in the 17th century. As early as 300 BC, the ancient Sinhalese were using monsoon winds to power their furnaces. The furnaces would be constructed on the path of the monsoon winds in order to exploit the power.
The first windmills were constructed in Afghanistan in the 7th century. These first windmills weren’t much like the ones you see today. They were vertical-axle windmills with long, vertical drive shafts and rectangular shaped blades. These windmills were crafted on six to 12 sails covered in reed matting or cloth and were used to grind up corn and draw up water. Windmills to grind flour were later used in Northern Europe several centuries later. These days, wind power can save money and protect the environment. The first modern wind turbines were built in the early 1980s and scientists are currently working on more efficient designs.
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Critics will point out that the wind seems to stop blowing when you want electricity most -- on hot summer days. And that is a problem. However, a study last year by Stanford University shows that wind power from interconnected farms can be used as reliable base load electric power.
As one might expect, not all locations make sense for wind farms. But legendary oilman T. Boone Pickens says the United States should take advantage of the so-called 'wind corridor,' stretching from the Canadian border to West Texas."Energy from wind turbines built there could supply 20% or more of the nation's power by 2030, according to a new report from the Department of Energy."U.S. electrical demand is expected to grow another 39% through 2030, so wind would help fill the gap. And although wind is expensive, costs per unit should come down with a larger scale operation. Besides, with the cost of coal and natural gas rising, wind is already becoming more competitive.
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