Wind Power or Motion Energy and Pakistan
Definition
• It is the process which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity.
Benefits
• Wind energy has emerged as clean, abundant, affordable, inexhaustible renewable, widely distributed and environment-friendly source of energy with no emission of greenhouse gases
Benefits
• Wind energy has emerged as clean, abundant, affordable, inexhaustible renewable, widely distributed and environment-friendly source of energy with no emission of greenhouse gases
Process of electricity generation
• Windmills and wind pumps convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power.
• This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks such as grinding grain or pumping water.
• A wind turbine has a generator which converts this mechanical power into electricity.
• Large-scale wind farms, which consist of many turbines, are connected to electrical grids to provide electricity to a large area.
• Individual turbines can provide electricity to isolated locations.
Uses
• Humans use wind power, or motion energy, for many purposes that include sailing, flying a kite, and even generating electricity.
• This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks such as grinding grain or pumping water.
• A wind turbine has a generator which converts this mechanical power into electricity.
• Large-scale wind farms, which consist of many turbines, are connected to electrical grids to provide electricity to a large area.
• Individual turbines can provide electricity to isolated locations.
Uses
• Humans use wind power, or motion energy, for many purposes that include sailing, flying a kite, and even generating electricity.
Wind Energy and Pakistan
• Unfortunately, at present wind power contributes little to power production in Pakistan
• Coastal areas and mountains with high wind potential are considered most suitable for generation of wind power.
• Coastal areas and mountains with high wind potential are considered most suitable for generation of wind power.
Evaluation of developing wind power in Pakistan
Advantages
Abundant
• Wind is a renewable resource. It will never deplete.
Environment friendly
• It is environment friendly unlike fossil fuels.
Utilized independently
• Wind energy has the advantage that it can be utilized independently, and deployed locally in rural and remote areas of Pakistan.
Good for rural electrification
• The locations far away from the main grid are suitable for generating wind electricity. It is very expensive to connect small villages to the national electric grid because of the huge infrastructure costs.
Attracts tourism
• Wind farms are interesting features of landscape attracting tourism.
Available in different sizes
• Wind turbines are available in a wide range of sizes depending on the requirement.
Solution to energy crisis
• Wind power can help to solve Pakistan's energy problems thus leading to industrial and agricultural expansion.
Solution to energy crisis
• Wind power can help to solve Pakistan's energy problems thus leading to industrial and agricultural expansion.
Increase in job opportunities
• Wind farms provide a source of income for farmers and may attract small industries to rural part of Pakistan where job opportunities are limited.
Disadvantages
Expensive
• Wind turbines are expensive to build thus increasing the burden on the economy.
Inconsistent
• The strength of the wind is not constant and varies from zero to storm force.
• This means that wind turbines do not produce the same amount of electricity all the time.
• They automatically stop working when there is a storm.
• This means that wind turbines do not produce the same amount of electricity all the time.
• They automatically stop working when there is a storm.
Hurts fragile balance of ecosystem
• Wind turbines can kill birds and bats thus harming the fragile balance in ecosystems.
Burden of scarce land resources
• Large wind farms are needed to provide entire cities with enough electricity thus causing a burden on scarce land resources.
Built only in specific spaces
• Wind farms can be developed only in coastal areas and mountainous region with high wind speeds.
• 7500 turbines are needed to produce the same amount of electricity as one nuclear power station.
• 7500 turbines are needed to produce the same amount of electricity as one nuclear power station.
Wind Power in Pakistan
Suitable coastline
• The coast of Pakistan is about 1000 km long and has a population of about 10 million people.
Supportive strong winds
• High wind is available nearly all year round in these areas.
• It is observed that the annual wind speed in Baluchistan and Karachi is such that it can be used to generate electricity.
• It is observed that the annual wind speed in Baluchistan and Karachi is such that it can be used to generate electricity.
Gharo Wind Power Plant Project
This will be the first wind power project of 50 MW to take advantage of strong winds in the coastal areas.
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