How Wind Power Works
Friday, October 23rd, 2009Humanity has relied on wind power for generations, dating all the way back to ancient times. It has been used for various applications such as the sailing of ships, grain grinding and water pumping.
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In modern times, wind energy is applied in activities of recreation such as windsurfing as well as the industrial creation of electrical power. That’s right; many people all over the world are starting to harness the wind’s energy in order to power their homes and businesses. Industries all over the world have also considered switching to wind energy for their power production. So let’s take a look at how wind power works.
The flow of air that embodies the wind releases kinetic energy as it blows. This energy can be transformed into other types of energy, such as electricity. Wind patterns are widely influenced by the actions of the sun which represents another source of clean power. Wind is caused in part by the sun’s irregular warming of the atmosphere, the rotation of the earth, and the uneven surfaces of the earth . Water bodies, the earth’s terrain, and vegetation also play a part in influencing the patterns of the wind. The process by which electrical power can be generated from the wind is known as “Wind Power”. Wind turbines, wind energy converters, and generators are employed for this exact purpose. In ancient times, systems localized around wind energy converters were widely known as windmills.
The principle used behind the functioning of a fan is the inverse of that which is used by a wind turbine. A fan uses electricity to create wind, as oppose to a wind turbine which coverts existent wind energy into electrical power.
Wind Power Systems
Acquainting yourself with wind power systems is the first step towards understanding how wind power functions. This then is how a wind turbine functions.
Usually, each turbine is found with two to three blades which are in the shape a propeller. When flowing air runs over the turbine’s blades, it causes them to rotate.
A shaft, which is connected to the blades , is also made to spin in sync with the rotation of the blades. Turbine shafts are divided into two: The High speed kind and low speed kind. Also connected to the shaft is a generator which creates energy when rotated.
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A controller is used to start and to shut off the machine. In situations of high to extreme winds, there is a brake which prevents the machine from overreaching.
Wind power is thus very easy and straightforward.
Currently, there are 2 types of wind turbines that dominate the market: the horizontal axis turbines and the vertical axis turbines. The horizontal wind turbine possesses three blades which are designed to be used in the direction of the wind. It is by far the most popular. The vertical axis variety, which resembles the shape of an eggbeater, can be pointed in any direction.
In determining how much electrical power can be produced from wind energy the size of the wind turbines has to also be taken into consideration. However, even the largest turbines cannot produce power in the absence of wind. It is because of this reason that solar energy is sometimes combined with that of wind energy. The combination of a wind and solar power system guarantees the most efficient results.
Currently, residential areas are found to contain small wind systems which boasts power levels that are rarely above 50kw. They are also used for the backing up of local supplementary power. With a good wind power system installed, it is possible to reduce the household power requirements by more than 50%.
By connecting wind turbines to central lines, it is possible to have energy distributed amongst the local
grid. These installations are also called wind farms or wind power plants. Countries like Spain and Denmark already possess such farms which are used in the electrification of neighbouring towns. Other countries such as the U.S, Brazil, South Africa, and Australia are constantly assessing how wind power works, in order to better implement it in the future.
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