Renewable energy can come from several different sources, but what makes wind energy different from hydro, solar, or biomass? Let’s take a look at how wind compares to other renewable sources.

Hydroelectricity uses running water to spin a turbine to then generate electricity. The majority of electricity in the Yukon is currently produced in this way. Hydroelectricity can be generated all day throughout the year, but the maximum output changes seasonally, dropping during the winter when water flow is usually lowest and demand is at its highest. Hydro dams and reservoirs require large amounts of land to be flooded, which can have severe environmental impacts.

Solar electricity converts solar energy (ie, sun rays) into electricity. It can be scalable, from small residential rooftop solar panels to large solar fields. Solar panels can’t produce power when the sun is not shining, like at night or a very cloudy day, and thus are usually paired with an energy storage system. Solar is subject to seasonal swings, producing more energy in the summer and less in the winter. Solar and wind can be complementary generation sources, where one can be producing power while the other is not.

Biomass energy produces energy by burning organic material, such as wood or pellets. It is considered a dispatchable (on-demand) energy source as fuel (wood) can be burned when there is a need for power. Biomass generators require burning fuel, whereas with wind, once the turbine is up, power can be produced as long as the wind is blowing. Excess fuel for biomass generators can be stockpiled for later use, but a sustainable fuel supply chain can be a challenge for arctic regions where few or no trees are available. Biomass has the added benefit of producing both electricity and heat, which can be used for district heating purposes to offset heating needs in the winter. Unfortunately, burning organic material for fuel involves emitting carbons and air pollutants, but this is generally considered offset by new tree growth.

Wind energy uses the natural movement of air to generate electricity, producing power only when the wind blows. Unlike diesel or biomass generators, wind turbines require no fuel to operate. They also have a smaller physical footprint compared to hydroelectric dams. As a result, wind energy tends to have a lower environmental impact in terms of both land use and carbon emissions. However, wind power typically generates less energy than diesel or hydro sources and cannot provide consistent base load power on its own. Wind turbines can also pose a risk to birds through collision and habitat disruption, but these effects can be mitigated with proper site planning and operation procedures. Wind energy is considered an intermittent generation source as it depends on weather conditions and cannot produce energy unless the wind is blowing. Because of this intermittency, wind turbines are often paired with energy storage systems, such as batteries, to store energy when it is windy and provide backup energy during periods of low wind. Wind usually continues blowing during winter storms and long nights, complementing other sources like solar that depend on clear skies during the day. On the downside, wind turbines have many moving parts and generally require more maintenance as a result. Despite these challenges, for the same amount of installed power capacity, wind turbines typically generate more actual electricity over time than solar panels.