Uses of wind energy

The energy that is obtained from the blowing wind is called renewable wind energy. The renewable wind energy can be harnessed in several different ways and put to use in many practical applications.

The first use of renewable wind energy was made in transportation. Primitive sail boats made from woven mats were propelled by the blowing wind. Renewable wind energy is used in modern sail boats as well that have light weight sails that work like aircraft wings and can be moved in the desired direction. Another traditional use of wind energy is pumping water and grinding grains. Machines called windmills captured wind renewable energy and used it to pump water in rural areas and also generate electricity that could be used as an alternative power source. Traditionally, windmills were also used to drive or turn heavy granite disks crushed dried grains like wheat and corn to make flour.

The most important use of renewable wind energy is the generation of electricity by using modern machines called wind turbines. Wind turbines have a shaft that is connected to an electrical generator. The renewable wind energy rotates the shaft of the turbine and this converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy. Wind energy can also be used as an alternative power resource to generate electricity for commercial purposes.

However, renewable wind energy is not being used to its full potential because not many know of the benefits of using this renewable energy source. Therefore, new technologies must be developed so that maximum benefits can be obtained from wind energy.