The exploitation of wind energy is now mature and economic. This source is by nature emission-free: the conversion to electricity indeed occurs without any release of substances in the air.
This technology transforms wind energy into mechanical energy using wind farms which function like the old wind mills.
The rotation produced by the force of the wind pushing on the blades is used to set wind generators (electric) or air motors (device pumps) into motion.
Actually, modern air generators have little in common with traditional wind mills, since they are very sophisticated machines, built with materials that make them endure external forces. The larger machines can resist forces comparable with those endured by airplane wings. Moreover, thanks to technological development and innovation, generators have a much higher quality, and are jncreasingly powerful and silent.
Europe has the highest installed wind power in the world. Germany, Denmark, Holland, Spain and Portugal are among the greatest users of this resource because of their constant windy conditions.
Italy has reported the highest increase in the last decade, despite actual territorial and environmental difficulties due to mountainous density and average wind scarcity. For this reason wind power plants are located in the most favourable regions, such as Sardinia, Puglia, Campania, the highest spots of the Apennines and western Sicily.
According to some estimations, wind power will continue its growing trend in the near future at a 30% rate every year. Enel is at the forefront of this constant development process, with a overall capacity of 362 MW and a production of 400 million kWh..
