Introduction

What is Alternative Energy? Alternative energy can be defined as any source of energy used to interchange fuel resources without harming the environment or energy derived from other sources without the use of natural resources: burning fossil fuels such as carbon dioxide which contributes to global warming. There are several types of alternative energy such as: wind power (focus of this report), solar power, geothermal energy, hydroelectric energy, alcohol and many more available for use.

What is Wind Power? Wind power, a reliable source of electricity, can be defined as producing energy from the wind. Wind power is simply converting wind energy into a usable form of energy. Wind power is actually a form of solar power as wind comes from the sun. When air moves, generating wind, it has a kinetic energy: the energy created when mass in motion. The wind’s kinetic energy can be caught and transformed to other customs of energy such as electricity or mechanical power which are examples of wind power. Some examples that utilize wind power to some extent are: wind turbines which are used to make electricity, wind mills, a form mostly used, are used for mechanical power or wind pumps for pumping water. Wind was one of the earliest forms of energy harnessed to do work, one of which is sails which propel ships. Wind is an entirely renewable resource hence the reason why it is considered a pure and clean form of energy.
They are different types of wind mills available for use. Wind mills are generally classified as vertical axis or horizontal axis windmills. In a vertical axis windmill, the axis alternated by the wind runs perpendicular or upright to the ground where as in horizontal axis, each blade pushes the axis in the same direction all the time. The efficiency of the horizontal axis windmill is higher than that of the vertical axis