Wind
Wind Energy

Wind turbines in the Pincher Creek area, Alberta  © Steven Earle

Wind is primarily generated by the differential heating of different surfaces of the earth—both because of differences in solar intensity from the equator to the poles, and because of differing albedos (albedo=reflectivity, water has a very low albedo, forests have a moderate albedo and snow has a high albedo). Wind velocities and directions are also affected by the earth’s rotation.