Wind Energy

What is it?

Wind is a renewable energy which produces no air pollution.It is also the world's fastest-growing energy source. Since the wind is free, operational costs are nearly zero. Technology advances are making turbines more cost efficient. The government is offering people tax bonuses to those who install wind turbines.

Three bladed wind turbine

How does it work?

Wind power involves converting wind energy into electricity by using wind turbines. A wind turbine is composed of 3 blades called a rotor. The rotor is attached to a tower, on average about 20 meters high, this is due to the winds being more powerful higher above the ground. A wind turbine captures the wind to produce energy. The wind causes the rotor rotate, the movement of the blades gives power to a generator which produces energy.  The energy is stored in batteries. The turbine speed can even reach to about 250 kilometers per hour. Brakes are used to help in case of emergencies with winds too powerful, otherwise there are chances that strong winds may rip off the turbine blades.

A generator is creates electricity from the rotation of the rotor.

The tailvane targets the turbine to gather as much wind energy as possible.

The nacelle is the seal that protects the generator and gear box from exterior objects. It is easily removed for maintenance.

                                                                                       

Graph of how much energy is produced. in kilowatts.

How efficient is it?

Wind energy will never run out and is completely renewable. A turbine typically does not start to generate electricity until the wind speeds are around 16 kilometers an hour and reach maxi mum power output at around 50 kilometers per hour. To prevent damage to the generator, the turbine will shut down if the winds move at around 80 kilometers an hour. At the moment, wind turbines cost more to produce than they generate.

Although it is Wind power supplies merely 2% of global electricity usage (159.2 gig watts)

Mostly used it Europe it supplies 19% of electricity in Denmark, 11% in Spain and Portugal, and 9% in the Republic of Ireland. 

What are the problems?

Wind farm

This Australian government is putting in 1 billion dollars towards wind power. Wind turbines have a high initial cost. On average, can cost up to $30,000 to be installed, including the grants provided by the government it can usually take up to 20 years to liquidate the cost, a wind turbine requires regular maintenance. The cost of maintenance is generally around $300 to $900 for annual maintenance costs contributes to the long amortization time.

Their power isn’t consistent and depends solely on the power in the wind; meaning will be times when they produce no electricity at all. Large wind machines have to be shutdown if the wind is too strong, to avoid harm. The only realistic way to produce large amounts of power is to build large groups in a location where the wind is most constant, such as floating on platforms out to sea.



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Resources:

http://www.energymatters.com.au/renewable-energy/wind-energy/, http://windenergysystems.blogspot.com/2009/07/3-blades-good-30-blades-bad-all-wind.html, http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-do-wind-turbines-work.html, http://www.thesolarguide.com/wind-power/turbine-parts.aspx