The most important use of the windmill was for grinding grain. In certain areas its uses in land drainage and water pumping were equally important. The windmill has been used as a source of electrical power .Wind power or wind energy is mostly the use of wind turbines to generate electricity. Wind power is a popular, sustainable, renewable energy source that has a much smaller impact on the environment than burning fossil fuels.

Historically, wind power has been used in sails, windmills and wind-pumps but today it is mostly used to generate electricity. Wind farms consist of many individual wind turbines, which are connected to the electric power transmission network.

A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location. A large wind farm may consist of several hundred individual wind turbines distributed over an extended area. The land between the turbines may be used for agricultural or other purposes. For example, Gansu Wind Farm, the largest wind farm in the world, has several thousand turbines. A wind farm may also be located offshore. Almost all large wind turbines have the same design — a horizontal axis wind turbine having an upwind rotor with 3 blades, attached to a nacelle on top of a tall tubular tower.

New onshore (on-land) wind farms are cheaper than new coal or gas plants, but expansion of wind power is being hindered by fossil fuel subsidies. Onshore wind farms have a greater visual impact on the landscape than some other power stations.Small onshore wind farms can feed some energy into the grid or provide power to isolated off-grid locations. Offshore wind farms provide a steadier and stronger source of energy and have less visual impact. Although there is less offshore wind power at present and construction and maintenance costs are higher, it is expanding.

Offshore wind power is wind farms in large bodies of water, usually the sea. These installations can utilize the more frequent and powerful winds that are available in these locations and have less visual impact on the landscape than land-based projects. However, the construction and maintenance costs are considerably higher.

Advantages of Wind Power are

Wind power is cost-effective. ...

Wind creates jobs. ...

Wind enables industry growth and competitiveness. ...

It's a clean fuel source. ...

Wind is a domestic source of energy. ...

It's sustainable. ...

Wind turbines can be built on existing farms or ranches.

Here are some of the best places to see windmills in the world.

• England. England was one of the first European countries to build windmills. ...

• Spain. ...

• Denmark. ...

• The Netherlands. ...

• Japan. ...

• United States. ...

• Canada.

Benefits of Renewable Energy

Generating energy that produces no greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and reduces some types of air pollution.

Diversifying energy supply and reducing dependence on imported fuels.

Creating economic development and jobs in manufacturing, installation, and more

Less global warming.

Improved public health.

Inexhaustible energy.

Jobs and other economic benefits.

Stable energy prices.

Reliability and resilience.