The world faces an imminent energy crisis. Moreover, there is the perpetual threat of environmental pollution. As a result there is a conscious effort everywhere to switch to alternative modes of power generation that do not pollute the environment, are sustainable and do not rely on the consumption of our already dwindling reserves of fossil fuels. Wind power technology is not a novel invention, but actually dates back to the time of the early settlers who used the power of the wind for crushing grains with the help of gigantic windmills having ‘sails’ measuring 10 to 20 feet. However, it was not until 1979 when Danish engineers developed small (and practical) electricity generators fitted with light PVC blades capable of producing electricity that wind power became practically feasible and commercially viable. This paved the way for the wind power turbines that we see today.
The success of the Danish engineers didn’t go unnoticed by the world and other nations were quick to follow in their footsteps. As a result, soon after their first appearance, wind turbines came up in great numbers all across the US and the UK. No wonder, they were often dubbed as ‘roaring monsters’ due to the great noise made by rotors. However, use of better bearings and careful redesigning of the inner mechanism have reduced the noise to intermittent ‘wheezing’ heard during times when the turbines are spinning at high speed. In fact this is one of the top reasons why wind turbines are rarely installed in residential areas or close to human habitation.
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