How is Wind Energy Making a Difference in 2018?

Recent studies have shown that nearly 25 percent of global electricity is now coming from renewable sources, and that includes wind energy. Tens of thousands of new turbines are being built every year, which has many people wondering what the future has in store for this industry.

Current State of the Industry

Many people are surprised to hear that wind is the second most widely used renewable source of energy. Wind energy capacity is growing by an average of 25 percent every year, and some people expect that to grow as technology improves. As with many other sources of renewable energy, two of the biggest hurdles that wind energy experts are facing is storing and transporting the electricity. As batteries and power lines continue to improve, wind energy costs will fall.

Advancements in Wind Energy Technology

For many years, the only way to turn wind into electricity was to spin large blades. While traditional turbines are quite effective, they have some distinct drawbacks. In addition to being expensive, they also take up an incredible amount of room. Recently, improvements have been made in wind turbine technology. A few different companies from around the world have developed wind turbines that turn vibrations from the wind into electricity. These turbines are somewhat similar to wave energy converters that turn the rocking motion of waves into energy.

Pros of Wind Energy

One of the biggest benefits of wind energy is the fact that it is extremely efficient. A single commercial turbine can easily power hundreds of homes, and some of those turbines have been designed to last for decades. Wind turbines can also produce energy during the night as well as the day. As long as the wind is blowing in any direction, the turbine will remain functional. Finally, some experts believe that wind turbines could easily generate 20 times the amount of power that the entire human population needs.

Cons of Wind Energy

It is important for green energy enthusiasts to remember that wind energy has benefits and liabilities. Building a turbine and getting it running requires a huge amount of money, and some turbines won’t cover their initial building costs for nine or 10 years. That means they will only be profitable for 15 or 20 years. The blades on the turbines can be a threat to birds and other flying wildlife as well. Large wind farms could potentially impact huge flocks and migration patterns. The amount of concrete used in the construction equates to a lot of co2 emmited, however this is more than made up for very quickly once the turbines are operational. 

Wind energy might not be perfect, but the industry is advancing at an astounding rate. Within the next few decades, it could end up being one of the most efficient forms of renewable energy.

Limitless Energy are designers and installers of renewable energy systems in Wales and beyond. We are energy consultants for domestic and commercial projects and can produce reports detailing potential opportunities to help reduce energy consumption and receive financial support. Contact us today for a consultation on how a renewable energy system could benefit your home, your business, and the environment!

Shrink the Environmental Footprint of Your Business by Implementing These 4 Practices

As a business, the operations in the workplace are likely a top priority. Due to the impact that companies can have on the environment, an increasing number of establishments are giving more thought to their environmental footprint. If you want to reduce your effect on the planet as a business, there are a few necessary steps that you can begin taking.

Recycle Electronics

When it’s time to replace your printers or computers in the office, you’ll need to discard the old equipment that is no longer used. Instead of throwing out the items, you can recycle electronics to ensure that the items are repaired, or the parts can be used. You can also replace outdated equipment or appliances with energy-efficient counterparts. Consumer Reports explains how to safe recycle your electronics , “Plenty of nonprofit organizations and local communities offer options to help you recycle old electronics. 

Recycle Paper and Plastic

Begin skipping paper as much as possible by making everything electronic in the office. You can also begin recycling paper in the proper way by preventing contamination from being present in the recycling bin and also recycling any paper that has been shredded. It’s important to separate paper waste from other kinds of trash. Otherwise, according to Fluent Conveyors, “contaminants like dirt and trash liquids can soak into the paper, causing the value and quality of the paper to be reduced. This could result in the recycled paper mill or manufacturer rejecting the load.” Now that’s a real waste!

Promote recycling in the workplace by providing each employee with a recycling bin at their desk. This can limit the amount of waste that is generated. You can also host contests or offer incentives to team members who recycle the most plastic each week to promote the habit and create a green workplace.

Source Responsibly

If you are producing a product that requires using natural resources, it would be smart, not only for the sake of the environment, but also for marketing efforts, to acquire these natural resources in a safe and sustainable way. For example, if producing something akin to kratom powder or CBD oil, products which are often consumed for health purposes, you will want to reassure your customers of where they come, as well as the quality of the resource. To use the example for before, if you look to Kats Botanicals pages on kratom, you will see that it mentions the source of their kratom. You will want to similarly do this with your product.

Reduce Energy 

Limiting the amount of wasted energy that your business generates is one of the many ways that you can begin to reduce your global footprint. This can be done through clever building management systems, renewable energy systems and changing lights to LEDs etc.. Waste energy can also be minimised through reducing packaging, go paperless, and utilize composting programs that are available in your local community to limit how much is discarded each day.

If you’re selling physical products, consider switching to recycled, biodegradable packaging. Corrugated boxes made from recycled paper and cardboard are produced with minimal environmental impact, and will compost more easily than synthetic alternatives. There are several methods for getting your branding onto this type of packaging, so you don’t need to sacrifice branding power when switching to more sustainable packaging.

 

Not only are there many different ways to shrink your environmental footprint, but it’s possible to save more money with a few minor steps taken as a manager or business owner. Remaining conscious of your company’s impact on the earth can allow you to find new ways of being eco-friendly as you continue to succeed in the industry.

Limitless Energy are designers and installers of renewable energy systems in Wales and beyond. We are energy consultants for domestic and commercial projects and can produce reports detailing potential opportunities to help reduce energy consumption and receive financial support.

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