Why does the UK government insist on calling Wind Power renewable energy?

Question

The wind blows and moves on by.

Then later another wind blows usually from a different direction and moves on by.

The way the UK government talks it seems to think that there's this great big lump of wind whizzing round the Earth all the time.

It didn't seem to be like that when I was taught geography!

In fact thinking back to my days in Physics they taught me that energy could not be created or destroyed E=mc^2 and stuff like that!

So energy can not possibly be renewed if it can't be destroyed.

Or maybe the Government has legislated so much that they have manged to change the basic Laws of Physics?

Answer 1

...you have way to much time on your hands.   (go figure out why the Bumble Bee can fly, that should keep you busy for a while)

Answer 2

Renewed as in constant and not needing OTHER resources to maintain it.The "constant" is in your statement about it can not be distroyed.Once approved, a wind farm doesn't take long to build, so the projects stuck in planning could give us a quick and substantial leap forward in renewable capacity - adding 7.5 per cent of our total electricity supply Renewable energy is made from resources that  Nature will replace, like wind, water and sunshine.It is renewed constantly naturally

Perhaps you would prefer the term“clean energy” or “green power” because it doesn’t pollute the air or the water.

It is the future and I understand why you find it a threat lol

Answer 3

I would rather this Nuclear Power planets guarded by extremely high surveillance higher than any airport. And all cars should switch to Hydrogen and people should have grants so that they can change there engines.

Answer 4

No (known) energy source is truly renewable.

Even the sun isn't truly renewable.

Renewable energy (wiki) is: using "natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat, which may be naturally replenished."

Answer 5

Renewable energy is any energy that isn't going to run out.  For instance, we will run out of oil so it isn't considered renewable.  Wind is created every day by the heating of the Earth by the Sun.  It is considered renewable b/c we won't run out.  Physics has nothing to do with it.  Of course when the Sun or Earth no longer exist there will be no more wind, but there won't be any humans here either so who cares.

BTW, if you study weather (not geography) then you'd know there are 'great big lumps of wind whizzing 'round the Earth.'  Ever heard of the Trade Winds?

Answer 6

They use the term "renewable energy" for things that are constant, such as the wind, sun, etc.

Yes, there is a great big lump of wind whizzing around the Earth all the time. :)

It's just a natural byproduct of the planet's rotation and day/night temperature differentials.

The wind has the "potential" of energy.  By using windmill type setups, we are simply converting that energy into another form, not destroying or creating it.

But I do see your basic point.  According to the laws of physics, nothing is infinitely "renewable".  The Earth is slowing down, the moon is moving farther away, the sun will grow colder, etc.

What I get the most kick out of reading are the reports from the uber-environmentalists who say we should invest in more wind power to protect the climate, and then later reading reports from similar groups saying that the windmills are bad because they're killing all the birds.

Can't please everyone!

Answer 7

I agree, and of course it does not just apply to wind power, but solar, wave and tidal as well.  It is just one of those catch phrases that seems to have taken over the world....what word would you have used....it is sometimes referred to as sustainable...which I suppose is better.

Answer 8

That sounds weird!

Answer 9

Your confusing physics with something much more simple. Wind is not entirely an earthly phenomenon- its' powered by heat from the sun, which for all intents and purposes is a limitless,"renewable" source of energy. Semantics, really.

Answer 10

A comparative statement and a relative term in relation to fossil fuels.

It is of course nonesense as we use masses of fossile fuels to create the wind turbines/solar panels and wave booms in the first place. Plus the amount of energy used to convert and 'transport' the power generated and all the miles driven by the engineers to maintain the varu=ious units.

However it keeps a few off the streets and stops the masses from panicking as the think the government is 'doing something' and has their 'little world' protected and all is under control.

Still whilst we use up the resources to create a process to keep some semblance of normality we're getting our 'share'.