Wind energy

Wind is an inexhaustible source of environmentally clean energy. It does not emit any pollutants. Under appropriate conditions, the cost of wind energy is not only significantly smaller than the cost of obtaining energy from fossil fuels, but may be the cheapest energy source.

Although wind energy has been sourced for a few decades, only in the past few years - as a result of concerns about the climate change - installations of wind turbines were increased to a level where the wind became a notable contribution to the world's energy production. In 2010, the power produced by wind power plants amounted to 197 GW, which represented 2.5% of the world's electricity.

A map of wind energy zones has been developed for the Polish areas. According to the map, central- western and coastal areas have the best conditions for the use of wind energy in Poland. It should be noted, however, that the local average wind speed depends on terrain, therefore the optimum conditions can be virtually obtained in all regions of the country.

Terrain and presence of obstacles that dramatically reduce the local wind speed and cause the turbulence affect the efficiency of wind turbines. Wind flow disturbance caused by an obstacle have a negative impact on both the stability and endurance of the construction of power plants. Wind turbines use wind power in terms of its speed from 4 to 25 m/s. At a wind speed of less than 4 m/s wind power is insignificant, and at speeds above 25 m/s the plant is stopped for safety reasons. 

Poland is one of the leaders in Europe in terms of the emergence of new wind turbines. In 2009, the installed capacity of wind energy supplied 725 MW, and a year later - 1107 MW. In early August 2012 there were 619 wind power plants with total capacity of 2,188.941 MW in Poland (as at 31.07.2012, the source ERO). According to government plans, by 2020 their power is expected to be 6650 MW.

The biggest advantages of wind power is the ability to supply hard to reach places with power, thereby that you can meet the energy needs of the population and the low cost of energy production. The construction of wind turbines lowers expenditure on fuel, reduce emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Wind energy plays an increasingly important role in the global energy balance.

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