A BRIEF MODERN HISTORY OF WIND POWER
Onshore wind is a proven , mature technology that has evolved , particularly in recent years , to maximise electricity produced per megawatt capacity installed . Offshore , the use of wind is expected to grow rapidly to take advantage of stronger winds at sea . In the 18th century , windmills began being used to mill ingredients such as flour . Jumping to the late 19th century , during the Industrial Revolution , wind turbines were first used for the production of electricity in Scotland , but it was Danish inventor Poul la Cour ’ s experiments with electricity generation using wind turbines that laid the groundwork for the integration of wind power into the emerging electrical grid .
With the rise of electricity generation in the 20th century , wind turbines were adopted for electricity generation in remote areas not served by traditional power infrastructure . This was followed by significant advancements in wind turbine technology and the oil crises of the 1970s which spurred renewed interest in renewable energy .
Since the turn of the millennium , there has been a dramatic expansion of wind power worldwide , driven by technological advancements , declining costs and growing environmental concerns . Growing from humble beginnings , wind farms can now be large-scale operations that generate enough power to provide electricity to thousands of homes and businesses . Future developments will see offshore wind skyrocket as leaders in the wind sector move to leverage the stronger and more consistent winds at sea to harness even greater amounts of renewable energy .
78 June 2024