Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity, wind mills for mechanical power, wind pumps for pumping water or drainage, or sails to propel ships. Today we use more electricity than ever before. As electricity use grows, so does the need for more power plants. Today, most electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels. Tomorrow, resources may include more renewable energy, especially wind. More renewable generation will improve the environment.

Reducing Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions

Some scientists believe that global warming is caused by the “greenhouse effect.” Greenhouse gases, like CO2, are produced naturally in our environment through volcanic activity and organic matter decomposition. CO2 is also produced when fossil fuels like coal and natural gas are burned to generate electricity. Using wind to generate electricity reduces CO2 emissions. Trees and plants naturally absorb CO2 and it would take a 3,776-acre forest to remove as much CO2 as some wind farms prevent.

Wind energy does not deplete natural resources. Wind is renewed every day as the earth heats and cools. We save about one pound of coal for every kilowatt-hour generated by wind. Some wind farms save about 13,110 tons of coal each year. This represents roughly 131 railroad cars annually—a train 1.22 miles long. Purchasing one block of wind power each month for a year eliminates burning about 2,052 pounds of coal. The energy generated by wind turbines balances with the energy used to make them in a matter of months. Much of the energy used to manufacture turbines is contained in the rotor and nacelle.

How exactly are we carbon neutral?

Most electricity comes from coal or nuclear powered generation – each of which have harmful impacts on our health and the environment. At LiveDesignz, 130% of our power usage equivalent for our servers and office equipment is utilized in the form of wind-powered Renewable Energy Certificates.

Renewable energy certificates (RECs), also known as green certificates, green tags, or tradable renewable certificates, represent the environmental attributes of the power produced from renewable energy projects and are sold separate from commodity electricity (your normal utility bill). Anyone can buy green certificates whether or not they have access to green power through their local utility or a competitive electricity marketer (us!). And they can purchase green certificates without having to switch electricity suppliers. Make no mistake, this is real green power that we are purchasing, certified by Green-E, a national third-party certifying agency.

By purchasing renewable energy certificates, we're not only offsetting our own emissions of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases, we're participating in a community of responsible businesses and individuals. The income from REC's goes towards either supporting existing wind turbine farms or developing new ones. We're part of the solution - imagine if more people participated too!

Fun Facts

The earliest known windmills were in Persia (Iran) and looked like large paddle wheels.

Today the largest wind turbines in the world have blades longer than a football field.

A typical horizontal wind turbine stands as tall as a 20-story building and has three blades that span 200 feet across.

One wind turbine can provide enough electricity for about 250 homes.

U.S. wind farm capacity totaled more than 25,000 megawatts in 2008 – enough power to serve approximately 7 million average American households.

Wind energy is generated in 30 different states. Those with the most wind production are Texas, California, Minnesota, Iowa and Washington.

The U.S. ranks first in the world in wind power capacity, followed by Germany and Spain.

The average server produces the same emissions as a 15 mpg SUV.

All of our servers are now 130% wind powered! LiveDesignz is not just helping neutralize its environmental impact, its helping reverse it!

LiveDesignz servers utilize certified Renewable Energy Credits representing 130% of the electricity consumed.

Learn More About Renewable Energy

We encourage you to learn more about how you can participate in renewable programs for home and business. More on Wind Energy