Wind Power

Wind mills have been used for centuries.  Nowadays they are called things like turbines, but the basic idea is the same.  They are using the wind to turn the central shaft which is then used for power.

Wind

To be a useful site for a wind farm, an area needs plenty of reliable wind.  Up to a point the stronger the wind the more power can be produced; the amount of power available increases with the third power of the wind speed.  That is, if the wind speed is doubled, the available power is multiplied by 2³ or 8 times.

However, if the wind gets too strong the turbine has to stop generating the electricity to prevent damage.

Generally tropical areas are not very suitable.  Places like Norway and Tasmania which are in the path of reliably strong winds tend to be the best places.

Sources

http://www.talentfactory.dk/en/tour/wres/enrspeed.htm

http://www.aweo.org/problemwithwind.html

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1881646,00.html

http://www.visitdenmark.com/uk/en-gb/menu/turist/turistinformation/fakta-az/wind_turbines.htm

http://www.tchange.com.au/infrastructure/roaring40s.html