Wind Energy Turbines: Make Them WORK for You
Mike Walden
August 07, 2009
Solar energy can be tapped and harnessed to capture wind. This wind, in turn, can produce wind energy. The continuous movement of wind creates motion energy. Generators driven by wind energy can transform this motional energy into mechanical power. Specially made wind power generators that can produce electricity by harnessing the wind energy reserves are called wind energy turbines. These turbines have grown immensely popular over the past few years, and have certainly the most up-to-date methods to produce electricity. The surface of earth is heated up, albeit unequally, by the rays of the sun. Unevenness of the earth surface, its rotational movements as well as the different types of earth´s vegetation causes different places to get heated up by different levels. A kinetic energy, viz., wind, is created as a result of this unequal heating of the atmospheric layers of earth. Oceans, seas and other bodies also contribute to this differential warming process. As a result, there always exists a certain difference in the temperature levels at the poles of the earth and at its equator. Wind from the relatively colder regions move to the warmer parts of the world as a result of this difference in temperature. A wind energy converter is used to generate electricity from this movement of wind (which itself produces kinetic energy).
Varieties and ways of working of wind energy turbines
Horizontal-axis and vertical-axis turbines are the two major groups in which all wind energy turbines are generally divided. The axis around which the rotation of the turbine takes place forms the basis of this classification. Among the two types of turbines, the horizontal-axis variety is much more used for the purpose of producing electricity. These horizontal axis turbines have an axis that is horizontal. Rotation of the turbine takes place along the latter. These turbines generally comprise of an electric generator, a rotor shaft as well as two to three blades. The direction of wind movement determines the way in which the blades are attached. The shaft gets moved by a mechanized process (by the moving blades of the turbine). This generates mechanical energy, which, in turn, is stored and converted by the electric generator to produce electricity. Hence, the velocity of wind is a much more important factor in determining the amount of electricity generated, than the speed at which the propelling blades move. In more sophisticated wind energy turbines, a gearbox is used to quicken up the rather slow rate at which the blades rotate. This ensures that the electric generator can function much more efficiently. Generally, a lofty tower is used as the ideal installation site of a wind turbine. The height of such towers should be about hundred feet above the ground surface, since wind flows at a quicker rate, and without any blockades, at these height levels.
A wind energy turbine is generally found to be pointing in the upward direction of a wind tower. This is because of the turbulence that is created behind the tower of the wind turbine. The nature of the blades of wind turbines is extremely stiff, which stops winds flowing at high velocities forcing the turbine blades in the interiors of the turbine tower. On the other hand, downwind wind turbines do not need the blades being held in the direction in which the wind blows by additional techniques. However, at the time of heavy wind flows, their efficiency levels fall considerably, due to the fatigue failures, which result in pushing down the wind resistance levels. The horizontal-axis wind turbines are, in turn, broadly classified into three separate groups the windmills of the 12th century, those that were created in the 19th century, and the presently used wind energy turbines. The last-named, is, by far the most modern and up-to-date variety of wind turbines.
On the other hand, the primary rotor shaft of the vertical axis wind turbines is oriented in a vertical manner. Hence, for proper performance of these turbines, they need not be pointing in the direction in which wind blows. Hence, at places where the flow of wind is uncertain and/or varies too often, these turbines offer great working benefits. A vertical axis wind turbine can effectively and simply make use of wind that flows from varying directions, in an efficient fashion. However, although there are many advantages of using a vertical axis wind turbine, they have certain disadvantages as well. For example, such turbines are, typically, large in structure, and consequently, cannot be set up on towers that have the required height levels. This diminishes the usage of these turbines for the purpose of production of electricity.
An instruction guide can help a great deal in the process of installation of wind energy turbines at your home. In fact, once a person has adequate knowledge about the installation procedure, setting up the system is rather simple. A guide would help you be aware of the exact spot in the house, where wind turbines would function at their best. The wiring system and the related necessary pattern of wiring would also be touched upon. You will also get to know how to get relatively cheap components of the wind energy turbines, and the batteries for free. Such set of complete information would help you install the system in an easy, cost-effective way. Once properly installed, wind energy turbines do hold out tremendous advantages to its users.
This article is based on the book, "Earth 4 Electricity- Renewable Energy Made Easy " by Jim Martin. Jim Martin is a researcher, inventor and home energy consultant who written dozens of home energy related articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide.
To Learn More about Jim Martinīs Unique Step By Step Solar and Wind Power System Visit: Earth 4 Electricity.
For further information visit: Wind Power Environmental Issues
Varieties and ways of working of wind energy turbines
Horizontal-axis and vertical-axis turbines are the two major groups in which all wind energy turbines are generally divided. The axis around which the rotation of the turbine takes place forms the basis of this classification. Among the two types of turbines, the horizontal-axis variety is much more used for the purpose of producing electricity. These horizontal axis turbines have an axis that is horizontal. Rotation of the turbine takes place along the latter. These turbines generally comprise of an electric generator, a rotor shaft as well as two to three blades. The direction of wind movement determines the way in which the blades are attached. The shaft gets moved by a mechanized process (by the moving blades of the turbine). This generates mechanical energy, which, in turn, is stored and converted by the electric generator to produce electricity. Hence, the velocity of wind is a much more important factor in determining the amount of electricity generated, than the speed at which the propelling blades move. In more sophisticated wind energy turbines, a gearbox is used to quicken up the rather slow rate at which the blades rotate. This ensures that the electric generator can function much more efficiently. Generally, a lofty tower is used as the ideal installation site of a wind turbine. The height of such towers should be about hundred feet above the ground surface, since wind flows at a quicker rate, and without any blockades, at these height levels.
A wind energy turbine is generally found to be pointing in the upward direction of a wind tower. This is because of the turbulence that is created behind the tower of the wind turbine. The nature of the blades of wind turbines is extremely stiff, which stops winds flowing at high velocities forcing the turbine blades in the interiors of the turbine tower. On the other hand, downwind wind turbines do not need the blades being held in the direction in which the wind blows by additional techniques. However, at the time of heavy wind flows, their efficiency levels fall considerably, due to the fatigue failures, which result in pushing down the wind resistance levels. The horizontal-axis wind turbines are, in turn, broadly classified into three separate groups the windmills of the 12th century, those that were created in the 19th century, and the presently used wind energy turbines. The last-named, is, by far the most modern and up-to-date variety of wind turbines.
On the other hand, the primary rotor shaft of the vertical axis wind turbines is oriented in a vertical manner. Hence, for proper performance of these turbines, they need not be pointing in the direction in which wind blows. Hence, at places where the flow of wind is uncertain and/or varies too often, these turbines offer great working benefits. A vertical axis wind turbine can effectively and simply make use of wind that flows from varying directions, in an efficient fashion. However, although there are many advantages of using a vertical axis wind turbine, they have certain disadvantages as well. For example, such turbines are, typically, large in structure, and consequently, cannot be set up on towers that have the required height levels. This diminishes the usage of these turbines for the purpose of production of electricity.
An instruction guide can help a great deal in the process of installation of wind energy turbines at your home. In fact, once a person has adequate knowledge about the installation procedure, setting up the system is rather simple. A guide would help you be aware of the exact spot in the house, where wind turbines would function at their best. The wiring system and the related necessary pattern of wiring would also be touched upon. You will also get to know how to get relatively cheap components of the wind energy turbines, and the batteries for free. Such set of complete information would help you install the system in an easy, cost-effective way. Once properly installed, wind energy turbines do hold out tremendous advantages to its users.
This article is based on the book, "Earth 4 Electricity- Renewable Energy Made Easy " by Jim Martin. Jim Martin is a researcher, inventor and home energy consultant who written dozens of home energy related articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide.
To Learn More about Jim Martinīs Unique Step By Step Solar and Wind Power System Visit: Earth 4 Electricity.
For further information visit: Wind Power Environmental Issues