| Wind is one of the cleanest, if not cleanest, | | | | of wind power and produces twice as much |
| renewable energy sources available to us. What | | | | electricity as any other state. |
| most people don't know is it is also the fastest | | | | 7. Modern windmills actually come in two forms, |
| growing energy sector. | | | | vertical and horizontal models. |
| Wind is an indirect version of solar power. | | | | 8. Horizontal windmills are the stereotypical version |
| Different surfaces on the Earth react differently | | | | that comes to your mind when the word is |
| to being hit by sunlight, particular in regards to | | | | mentioned. |
| heat. As sunlight heats up surfaces, they warm | | | | 9. Vertical mills look like upside down egg beaters, |
| up at different rates. The surround air also warms | | | | but are hypnotic when they spin. |
| up at different rates, fertilizing the wind process. | | | | 10. Unlike traditional utilities, most energy produced |
| Temperatures over a body of water like a lake | | | | by wind is done by private businesses and sold to |
| will always be cooler than temperatures over | | | | utilities through an electric grid hookup. |
| rocky ground. Hot air rises and cool air rushes into | | | | 11. Wind power in the U.S. generates a whopping |
| fill such voids. As this process occurs, the rushing | | | | 17 billion kilowatts per year, more than enough to |
| air manifests as wind and an incredibly cheap and | | | | provide all electrical needs for the city of Chicago. |
| clean energy source. | | | | 12. More than 30 states have wind farms |
| The fact that wind is a naturally occurring event | | | | generating and supplying electricity to utility |
| makes it a great energy source. Consider the | | | | companies. |
| following: | | | | 13. California, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, and |
| 1. Wind is a renewable energy source because it | | | | Wyoming are the dominant forces in producing |
| will exist as long as sunlight beats down on us. 2. | | | | energy from wind. |
| Wind has been used by man as an energy source | | | | 14. The biggest energy producer from wind is |
| ever since we've sailed boats. | | | | Germany, which is also dominant in solar power |
| 3. The first windmills were used to turn wheels to | | | | production. |
| grind grain in Iran. | | | | For many, these wind findings will be a surprise. |
| 4. American colonist used windmills to move | | | | The sole fact that there is enough power |
| water, grind grain and cut wood. | | | | produced by wind energy to handle a city the size |
| 5. Wind energy harnessed by windmills was a | | | | of Chicago is pretty impressive. As we move into |
| dominant source of energy in rural America in the | | | | the 21st century, new technology is heading in the |
| 1920s. | | | | direction of creating wind energy platforms for |
| 6. In modern times, California is the biggest user | | | | individual residences. |