With many people looking to rely less on energy that causes pollution and more on clean, natural energy, windmills are popping up across the world. Whether you drive through empty prairies or busy cities, you may have noticed these simple machines in the landscape and wondered why they're there. Does this Spark an idea?
Facts
A windmill is a machine that captures wind energy and converts it to energy that can be used in a variety of ways. As the wind turns the blades of a windmill, the blades turn a shaft that operates other machinery that performs work, such as pumping water or milling grain. A wind turbine generator is a windmill that's connected to a generator and creates electricity.
History
Researchers believe that the first windmills originated around the 7th century A.D., and the technology was passed on throughout the Middle East to China. These windmills were terribly inefficient and eventually gave rise to post mills, or windmill-like machines that are turned by hand. France and England were home to the earliest European windmills.
Uses
Windmills are often used by farmers and ranchers to transport water for irrigation and livestock. If one area of a farm has an expansive lake, a windmill can be used to pump water from the lake to crops that need water to flourish or to livestock as drinking water. Windmills can pump water from the natural water source to other locations on the the property.
Wind energy is becoming more popular. In the past 25 years, wind-energy technology has grown leaps and bounds. It is the cleanest form of energy and does not disturb surrounding wildlife. Wind-energy systems can be expensive to install, but you can greatly reduce your electric bill by creating your own power from wind energy.
Locations
The key factor in building a windmill is the availability of wind. Winds are usually higher near coastlines and wide expanses of terrain below sea level. You should also consider the wind speed, wind direction, gustiness and hazard conditions.
Types
The types of windmills are generally associated with their function. An aeration windmill circulates the water in small ponds or pump water from your pond to a trough that will water your animals or an irrigation system. An aermotor windmill can be used to get water from a well, but it cannot pump water from your existing pond like an aeration windmill can. Finally, the wind turbine creates electricity by connecting a windmill to a generator.
Tags: water from, pump water, pump water from, aeration windmill, creates electricity