Renewable Energy Resources for Irrigation - Practices of Irrigation and On-farm Water Management - page 491

Fig. 13.2 Solar power plant near Serpa, Portugal (38 ◦ 1 51 N, 7 ◦ 37 22 W)
will have the capability to concentrate the sun by 500 times onto the solar cells for
ultra high power output. The Victorian power station will generate clean electricity
directly from the sun to meet the annual needs of over 45,000 homes with zero
greenhouse gas emissions.
13.5 Wind Energy
13.5.1 Wind as a Renewable and Environmentally Friendly Source
of Energy
Wind power is renewable and produces no greenhouse gases during operation, such
as carbon dioxide and methane. Wind is called a renewable energy source because
the wind will blow as long as the sun shines. Wind power is one of the most envi-
ronmentally friendly sources of renewable energy. At one time, wind was the major
source of power for pumping water, grinding grain, and transporting goods by sail-
ing ships. Present day applications of wind power include water pumping and the
generation of electricity.
13.5.2 Historical Overview of Wind Energy
Wind power has been harnessed by mankind since ancient times. Over 5,000 years
ago, the ancient Egyptians used wind to sail ships on the Nile River. Later, people