Wind power. Legislative and financial framework. Possibilities of exploitation in Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Wind energy can be converted into a usable form of energy using wind turbines to produce electricity, wind mills for producing mechanical power, wind pumps for pumping water, or sails for moving the ships. Currently, on the worldwide scale, there are wind farms consisting of hundreds of wind turbines, which are connected to an electricity grid. With existing technology for new constructions, wind energy produced on land is convenient priced compared to the energy produced from fossil sources, in some places, the energy produced by wind energy conversion systems can be even cheaper. Wind power off shore is higher, also the visual impact produced by turbines is lower, but the construction and maintenance of these turbines are more expensive than in the case of those constructed on land. Small wind farms can provide energy for remote or isolated areas that are not connected to grid. Compared to energy obtained from fossil sources, wind energy is renewable, widely available, clean, produces no emissions of greenhouse gas during conversion and uses little space. Environmental effects are generally less problematic than the ones created by other energy sources. Moldova is far behind the world's progresses regarding renewable energy and pragmatic solutions for spreading conversion technologies are needed, keeping in mind the current economical, political and social problems that the republic faces.