Harnessing the Power of Wind!

Wind certainly isn’t something we’re lacking in the United Kingdom! We are actually the windiest country in Europe which makes us well placed to utilise this source of energy to create power.

As a form of solar energy, wind is created when the uneven heating of the earth creates pockets of rising warm air and sinking cold air. The change in air pressure creates wind which can be used as a sustainable energy source.

To harness this energy wind turbine farms are created in windy areas of land or shallow water around the coast. As the wind causes the blades the spin, it powers a generator that converts the kinetic energy into electricity. Even a gentle breeze will turn the blades enabling energy to be stored.

Some wind power facts:

• We have 8,600 onshore wind turbines in the UK and 2,300 offshore
• Each wind turbine can generate enough electricity for 1,500 households a year
• There is a low carbon footprint associated with building wind farms
• The tallest wind turbines are off the coast of Liverpool. They are higher than the Blackpool Tower and one single rotation will power a home for 29 hours!
• Wind power is growing rapidly and in six years we’re gone from 7% to 20% of UK electricity generated by wind power

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has pledged to invest £160m in wind energy.

"Your kettle, your washing machine, your cooker, your heating, your plug-in electric vehicle - the whole lot of them will get their juice cleanly and without guilt from the breezes that blow around these islands," said Boris.

Mr Johnson wants to see offshore wind powering every home in the country by 2030. A bold statement and if actioned will significantly help on targets towards net zero emissions by 2050.

Discussion points!

Talk to your children about why wind power is great!

1. Wind power will never run out! We have lots of wind and the more we use it, the less we use fossil fuels which are bad for the environment.
2. The space between the turbines can be used for farm animals and crops.
3. It’s very cheap to generate! Which means that household bills will be cheaper too.
4. Why not watch a video about a wind farm.