. why isnt wind energy used to provide electricity in most parts of the northeastern united states?

Answer 1

This is more opinion than fact, but here are a few answers:

1. It's on the way. Massachusetts is discussing putting wind turbines off Cape Cod, but there are elements that are opposed to it. There are also projects that I am aware of in Vermont and Maine, and there may be others that I am not aware of.

2. Area: In general, wind farms require quite a bit of area, and have to be located in places where there are prevailing winds. Since a lot of the northeast, including New England, is fairly densely populated and may not have sufficient wind, that does not leave unlimited places for sites.

3. Expense: Even though the fuel is free, wind farms are still generally more expensive to make than traditional sources of electricity and require a lot of money in terms of start up money. That may change in years to come.

4. Need: In terms of overall energy need, wind farms are unlikely to provide 100% of electrical need. If I am not mistaken the project in Massachusetts (Cape Wind) will produce enough electricty for most of Cape Cod. That still leaves a lot of people in Massachusetts searching for other solutions.

Answer 2

I'm not an expert, but probably for several reasons:
1) In order to use wind power as a reliable source of energy, you need to be in an area where wind action is relatively constant and significant.
2) Wind farms require a lot of space. For this reason, you probably won't see a wind farm in a densely populated uban area. Also, they are considered eyesores by some (the "not in my back yard" syndrome).
3) There are other environmental problems with windfarms, such as the deaths of birds that fly into the blades. This can cause significant bird mortality. So unless they have come up with some way to prevent avian death, you probably won't see any major wind farms along the major bird "fly ways" (migration routes).

Answer 3

Until now, other means of providing electricity have been less expensive. The possibility that oil prices has ill drop discouraged investment, but I think now that oil is likely to stay above $30/barrel, wind farms and other alternative energy sources are feasible. Some states also subsidize projects. There are also concerns about the appearance of the towers, and rotors killing birds.

Answer 4

I live in a very windy area too on the shore of lake superior -- they wanted to build a wind farm on the hill but so many people objected that they couldn't build -- it think it costs more to produce -- our local company MP&L had an option of purchasing wind produced electricity from a wind farm in the southern part of the state but it would cost more than hydro power so they didn't do it -- it such a shame all that free energy being wasted --

Answer 5

Winds are not steady in direction or velocity.
Wind mills disrupt the broadcast TV and radio signals.
High population density and noise the windmills make.
Conservative attitudes.

Answer 6

Talk to ConEd. If we were in the use and used DC it would be great, plus the cost of running out and fixing a broken windmill is costly we have one in europe, it's great until it breaks down and takes a month to fix it, wating for parts.

Answer 7

like solar energy,the equipment for obtaining wind energy is very expensive and maybe that area is not characterized by heavy winds so it won't be feasible to set up windmills when there are other alternatives

Answer 8

because some people say its too expensive(But its cheaper in the long run) and they take up space. But i dont know why. THe government doesnt seem to have much interest in alternatvie energy as opposed to many other governments

Answer 9

Hang around a few more years and you'll see it become less expensive to install wind driven power thus more of them.

Answer 10

Because it isn't cost effective. That's the reason for most alternative energy means not catching on.