How green is wind power?
Generating wind power produces no pollution and no by-products. Furthermore, it uses only nominal amounts of water, in the production of energy. Whereas fossil fuels and nuclear use water for both creating steam to turn turbines and for cooling, in addition to consuming non-renewable mineral deposits, wind turbines only use small amounts of water to clean rotor blades in arid climates in order to enhance performance. Source: American Wind Energy Association estimate, based on data obtained in personal communication with Brian Roach, Fluidyne Corp., December 13, 1996. Assumes 250-kW turbine operating at .25 capacity factor, with blades washed four times annually.
