The Energy Co-op's wind comes from wind farms throughout the
region. Pennsylvania has become a national leader in the development of new
wind energy with more than 170 megawatts of wind power planned to be built
in the next two years – enough to power 53,000 homes. Wind power is still
relatively more expensive than some other forms of renewable energy but
we’re committed to supporting the development of local, emissions-free
energy.
For the past three years The Energy has been a leader in
promoting the use and development of wind power. Last
year alone, Energy Cooperative members purchased over 1,915, 933 kWh of new,
clean, local wind power. That's equivalent to planting 26,631 trees or
taking 2,299 cars off the road.
How do we get electricity from wind?
Easy. Wind power has been harnessed for thousands of years in the form of
sailboats and windmills. Today’s wind turbines, however, are much more
technologically advanced and can convert direct wind energy into
electricity. This happens when the wind blows and turns a rotor on a wind
turbine. As the rotor spins, it drives an electric generator, thus producing
electricity.
To learn more about wind power:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)'s
Wind Technology Center
American Wind Energy
Association
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