The Wind Back When
The Wind Back When
I’ve written before about how “new” the wind industry is, but really that’s quite relative. When we look at “The Wind Industry” we’re usually thinking about the utility scale era. Wind Turbines that produce the kind of power that is able to be put on the grid, in other words. In the United States, California was the state to first kick off this type of power production in large scale. This was around the late 70’s to early 80’s and compared to today’s modern turbines those machines are ancient. But none the less, that was really the starting point for the large scale wind power production that we are headed for. In another 30 years I’m sure we’ll be looking back at today’s technology and be equally amazed at the advancements.
Looking at the future and potential of wind is very exciting; however I’m always equally as excited when I read about the history of wind power. I’m sure most people are aware of the wind mills that were constructed for grinding grain or pumping water on farmland. This is a very effective uses of the wind’s energy and these types of structures have been in use as early as the middle ages. Before the use of electricity was wide spread wind was a major help in getting work done. These of course were all mechanically engineered systems that relied on physics and nature to provide the power behind the work. They even figured out how to saw giant logs into lumber with nothing more than wind and gears, which I think is just amazing!
Now with all of this ingenuity happening, it’s no surprise that wind was later used to produce electricity. Once the electric generator was introduced to the world it didn’t take long for someone to put two and two together. Like when you realized as a kid you could use your red licorice as a straw in your soda. Best idea ever for a good sugar buzz! My favorite electricity generating turbine from the past has to be the Jacobs Turbine. In the 1920’s and 30’s the Jacobs brothers were producing the first commercially successful Wind Energy system. Of course, at that time there were plenty of rural areas without any access to the electric grid and that was the key to their success. This turbine looked very similar to the small scale wind systems you can find today with 3 blades and the same basic parts sitting atop a tower.
There is certainly a great deal of history in the Wind Industry. While we are still very early into the modern generation, it was the wind power of the past that has helped to shape our current path. Be curious about the evolution of wind energy as it will most definitely help you in the future.
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