What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using the wind as a source for generating electricity?

Answer 1

Advantages
Like hydroelectric power - wind power uses the energy of nature and is what is called free energy. It is also clean in that it doesn't have pollution as a waste product.

Disadvantages
Initial cost of wind turbines is a major investment, as is maintenance, but those cost are coming down.

Is dependent on the vagaries of the weather. Either no wind or too much makes energy collection difficult,

There is also a possible detriment in that as wind farms become more numerous that the weather patterns of a region may be affected by the slowing of the natural winds (something that cannot be avoided since windmills are powered by the wind which is slowed as a result). I know of no studies that would say that this is a good or a bad side effect.

Other disadvantages would include the fact that fossil fuel plants remain running at almost full capacity to offset the wind variations. Thus no reduction in fossil fuel use or CO2 reduction.

Millions of birds and bats are killed each year with existing systems. As the numbers increase, so will these fatalities.

Wind systems rarely produce enough power to generate another wind system. Thus even if the fossil fuel plants were not running, wind itself produces less power then they take to build. Thus, they do not even qualify as green. They do allow a feel good to the whole idea, even though the overall is a negative affect on the planet.

Answer 2

Advantages include wind being a renewable resource that produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. It is also cost-effective once the infrastructure is in place. Disadvantages can include intermittency of wind, requiring backup power sources, and visual or noise impact on local communities.