Wind energy involves converting the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical energy using wind turbines to generate electricity. It has several benefits such as preserving water resources, being compatible with other land uses, and providing economic benefits without producing harmful emissions or waste. There are two types of wind farms - on shore and off shore - but both have some negative views involving visual or noise impacts for on shore farms and potential environmental disruptions for off shore farms. Canada has over 90 existing wind farms producing over 2,369 MW of energy, powering the equivalent of 680,000 homes, with Ontario leading the country in wind energy capacity and farms.

1. Recreation &
Environmental Qualities
WIND ENERGY
RCR1413
AlyciaBannon
&
JocelinMcAlpine

2. Wind Energy
What is Wind Energy?
“Wind energy is the kinetic energy
of wind converted into mechanical
energy by wind turbines that drive
generators to produce electricity for
distribution.”

3. Benefits of Wind Energy
Wind Energy:
• preserves water resources
• is compatible with other land uses and
can serve as a boost for rural economic
development.
• does not produce any harmful
waterborne emissions, or toxic solid
wastes

4. More Benefits
Wind Energy:
• is completely renewable, highly reliable and
very efficient
• is one of the most economical sources of
new large-scale electricity generation
• is good for employment and job creation: it
is estimated that the Canadian wind industry
employed 3,785 people in 2006.

5. More Benefits of
Wind Energy
Wind Energy:
• generates tourism for local communities.
• creates alternative revenues for farmers who
lease their land.
•Using wind to produce enough power for over
200 homes (2,000,000 kWh) of electricity
instead of burning coal will leave 900,000
kilograms of coal in the ground and reduce
annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2,000
tonnes.
•Video

6. Two Types of Wind Farms
ON SHORE 
OFF SHORE 

7. A Negative View of
Off ShoreWind Farms
Off Shore Wind Farms:
Can disrupt the wave patterns (surfing &
•
boating)
Change the mammal migration routes
•
Disrupt the seabed resources (cold &
•
warm coral reefs)

8. A Negative View of On
Shore Wind Farms
On Shore Wind Farms:
• create undesirable visual and landscape
effects
• the noise that the turbines create can
cause health effects towards humans, and is
disrupting lives
• clear cutting of forestry

9. The Future Of Wind
Farms
VIDEO

10. Canada’s Wind Energy
• Canadian Wind Energy Association (canwea), works
with municipalities through out Canada to produce
wind farms
• Canada has over 90 wind farms in use right now
• Canada has over 2, 369 MW of installed wind energy
capacity
• Currently powers to the equivalent of 680,000
Canadian homes

11. Ontario’s Wind Energy
•Ontario is the leading province in Canada for
use of wind energy, having the largest wind
farm and producing 782.1 Mega Watts
• Ontario currently has 20 wind farms
• Ontario’s largest wind farm is located in
South Western Ontario (Township of
Melanchton) with a total of 133 windmills!