Which statement about wind energy is true?

Which statement about wind energy is true?

• A. Wind energy is nonrenewable
• B. Wind energy is renewable
• C. Wind turbines require water to operate
• D. Wind energy produces large amounts of CO2 during operation

Answer: (B)

Wind energy is renewable because wind is a natural, replenishable flow of energy powered by solar heating of the Earth. When we harvest wind with turbines, we convert the moving air’s kinetic energy into electricity without consuming the resource, so the supply isn’t depleted by use. Water isn’t needed to generate wind power, which makes the statement about requiring water incorrect. And in normal operation, wind turbines emit essentially no CO2; most emissions tied to wind energy come from manufacturing and installation, not from running the turbines. So the true statement is that wind energy is renewable.

Wind energy is renewable because wind is a natural, replenishable flow of energy powered by solar heating of the Earth. When we harvest wind with turbines, we convert the moving air’s kinetic energy into electricity without consuming the resource, so the supply isn’t depleted by use. Water isn’t needed to generate wind power, which makes the statement about requiring water incorrect. And in normal operation, wind turbines emit essentially no CO2; most emissions tied to wind energy come from manufacturing and installation, not from running the turbines. So the true statement is that wind energy is renewable.