Wind Energy Basics

Since wind is a converted form of solar energy, wind energy and solar energy go hand in hand. The radiation from the sun heats the various parts of the earth at differing rates. This occurs because the different surfaces of the earth, e.g. water and land, absorb or reflect the sun’s radiation at different rates. Consequently, sections of the atmosphere warm differently. As hot air rises, the atmospheric pressure at the earth’s surface is reduced, causing cooler air to be drawn in to replace it; the result of which is wind.

The energy that the wind then produces can be transformed by a wind energy system into mechanical or electrical energy, which can then be harnessed for functional use. Mechanical wind energy is most often used to pump water in the form of a farm windmill found in rural locations. The farm windmill is one example of a mechanical wind pumper which can be used for many other purposes as well, such as sawing, grinding grain, and pushing a sailboat. Electrical wind energy is generated through the use of electrical turbines, which create electricity for homes and businesses and to sell to utilities.

Electrical wind turbines come in two basic designs: vertical-axis, or “egg-beater” style, and horizontal-axis, or “propeller” style. The horizontal-axis wind turbines constitute almost all of the “utility-scale” turbines in the global market, which consequently makes them the most common type of wind turbine used today.

Utility-scale wind turbines used on land-based wind farms are available in a variety of sizes. The rotor diameters of these turbines range from 50 to 90 meters with towers of roughly the same size. A turbine that has a 90-meter rotor and a 90-meter tower for a total height of approximately 135 meters would definitely fall on the large end of the size spectrum for wind turbines. Offshore turbine designs, however, are currently under development to have even larger rotors.

Turbines that are intended to be used for homes or small business are much smaller. The rotor diameters of these turbines are typically 8 meters or less and are placed on towers measuring 40 meters or less in height.

The electrical output of a wind turbine depends on both the size of the turbine and the speed of the wind through the rotor. Wind turbines manufactured today have a range of power ratings from 250 watts to 5 megawatts. Not surprisingly, wind speed is a crucial factor in determining the efficiency of a turbine. For small turbines, an annual average wind speed that is greater than 9 miles per hour is required, while utility-scale turbines necessitate a minimum speed of 13 miles per hour.

Wind Energy in California

The wind is not only useful for kite flying and providing a cool breeze on a hot summer day. The energy of the wind can also be used to perform other kinds of work. The wind’s kinetic energy can be altered into either mechanical or electrical energy. Boats use wind energy as the wind presses against the boat’s sails and causes the boat to be pushed through the water. Wind energy is used by farmers to pump water from wells through the use of windmills. Plus, wind energy is used to rotate large grinding stones to mill wheat and corn similar to the way that a water wheel rotates because of water power.

These are all examples of how mechanical wind energy is used, but another example of how wind energy can be used is to generate electrical energy, electricity. The way that the wind is used to create electricity is through the use of devices called wind turbines. Wind turbines are exactly like large versions of toy pinwheels, using the blowing wind to cause the blades of the wind turbines to spin.

The blades of a wind turbine are connected to a center point that is attached to a turning shaft. The turning shaft runs through a gear transmission box which is where the turning speed of the blades is adjusted. The transmission box is affixed to a high-speed duct whose job is to turn a generator which then creates electricity. If wind speeds become too high and forceful, there is a brake in the turbine that will prevent the turbine’s blades from spinning to fast and getting damaged.

In the state of California, there are many windy areas that are perfect for wind turbines. A significant problem with wind turbines, however, is that the wind is an unreliable source of energy. It is not windy all of the time, which means that when there is no wind power, energy can’t be produced. In California, it is generally windier during the summer time when the wind streams inland from cooler locations, like the ocean, and then replaces the hot rising air from California’s central valleys and deserts.

In order for the blades of a wind turbine to be able to turn fast enough to generate electricity, wind speeds must be above 12 miles per hour. On average, each wind turbines produces between 50 and 300 kilowatts of electricity. To put this into perspective, this means that a wind turbine that creates 300 kilowatts of electricity has the capability of illuminating 3,000 light bulbs that use 100 watts of electricity.

In the year 1999, there were 11,368 wind turbines in California. These turbines are not spread out or located in isolation from one another. Rather, they are grouped together in what are referred to as wind farms. For the most part, these wind farms are located in the 3 windiest sections of the state. These sections are: Altamont Pass, east of San Francisco; San Gorgonio Pass, near to Palm Springs; and Tehachapi, south of Bakersfield.

If the forces of the wind farms in these 3 California locations are combined, they generate enough electricity to power a city the size of San Francisco. California’s wind farms produce 11 percent of the entire world’s wind-generated electricity. Denmark and Germany are two other locations that use a significant amount of wind energy.

The Basics of Wind Energy

The phrases wind power and wind energy describe the means of harnessing the faculties of the wind to create mechanical power or electricity. This act is carried out by way of wind turbines, which function in a fashion similar to the way that windmills operate. Wind turbines are typically found grouped together on what is called a wind farm. The mechanical power or electricity that is generated by the wind turbines is able to be used for things like grinding grain, pumping water, and providing electricity to homes, offices, and schools.

Wind turbines have propeller blades akin to those found on an airplane. These propellers rotate as the wind blows, thus, powering an electric generator, which provides an electric current. In other words, wind turbines operate in the opposite way that a fan functions. While fans use electricity to create wind, wind turbines utilize the wind to create electricity. The wind causes the propellers to move, which in turn causes a shaft to revolve, which then hooks up to a generator that creates the electricity.

There are two basic groups of types of wind turbines. First, there is the vertical-axis type. This variety is just like the egg-beater Darrieus model. The second type is the horizontal-axis. This variet is exactly like the traditional windmills that are found on farms and are used to pump water. Most of the modern wind turbines are the horizontal-axis type of turbines. These turbines consist of three major components. These components are comprised of a blade or rotor, which transforms wind energy into rotational shaft energy; a drive train, which typically incorporates a gearbox as well as a generator; and a tower, which provides support to the rotor and drive train. Other more minor pieces of equipment include controls, electrical cables, ground support equipment, and interconnection equipment.

Wind turbines are available in many different sizes and power ratings. The largest type of wind turbine reaches more than 20 stories in height, has propellers that extend farther than the length of a football field, and the quantity of electricity that it produces is enough to power 1,400 homes. The type of wind turbine that is most commonly suited for individual homes has propellers that are between 8 and 25 feet long and stands around 30 feet high. This home-sized type of turbine supplies an adequate amount of electricity to sustain an all-electric home or office.

In the long-run, wind turbines are a very cost-efficient source of energy. The initial cost of preparing and installing wind turbines, however, is a more substantial investment than fossil-fueled generators. Yet, since wind turbines have minimal operating expenses and it is not necessary to purchase fuel in order for them to function, wind turbines are a significantly more competitive energy source than other types of technology. Moreover, the energy produced by wind turbines is an entirely a free and renewable form of energy. Plus, wind turbines do not emit any damaging air pollutants the way other energy sources do.

Cost Efficiency of Wind Energy

Wind energy is the means of converting the powers of the wind into a useable form of energy, like electricity. This feat is accomplished through the use of turbines, which operate in a similar fashion to windmills with blades revolving in the wind. As the blades rotate, energy is being created, which can be collected and turned into electricity. Wind turbines, which can reach up to 400 feet in height, are typically found on wind farms where enough wind is able to be collected to supply an entire community with electricity, but single unit wind turbines are also available for individual use.

One of the greatest aspects of wind energy is that it is an entirely renewable source of energy. Unlike other resources, the earth will never be able to exhaust its supply of wind. However, as a natural phenomenon, the problem with wind as an energy source is that it is changeable in its availability. Plus, wind blows at varying speeds. Sometimes, the turbines are hit with forceful gusts and other times all they have to work with are puffs and zephyrs. As a result, wind power creates energy at inconsistent levels. Typically, turbines will not produce electricity until wind speeds hit at least 10 miles per hour, reaching their maximum energy output at around 33 miles per hour and shutting down all together if wind speeds exceed 50 miles per hour.

However, what wind energy lacks in consistency, it certainly makes up for it in cost efficiency. Other than the cost it takes to manufacture and install the turbines, which can be pricey, ranging in cost from 1.8 to 2.3 million dollars, there are no additional expenses involved with electricity production using wind energy. While the price of setting up wind turbines may be higher than erecting a coal or natural gas fueled generation facility, in the long run, wind energy is going to be the more cost efficient option. Fluctuations in fuel prices have no effect on wind energy, seeing as it does not rely on fuel for production. Moreover, the turbines have relatively low maintenance costs. With a life-expectancy of approximately 20 years, the turbines are designed to run for 24 hours a day, so while minor parts may need to be fixed or replaced from time to time, the major components should remain intact and fully functioning for the duration of this time period.

In addition to being highly cost efficient, wind energy is also very environmental friendly as it does not depend on fossil fuels or create any damaging by-products. So, while wind energy may not be the most reliable source of energy, there are still significant financial and environmental benefits that wind energy provides, making this form of energy a source worthy of consideration.

An Overview of Solar Wind Energy

It’s common knowledge that power can be derived by utilizing solar or wind energy. But did you know that there is something else called solar wind energy? It’s a perfect tool for these times, when the environment is suffering so much from our old energy methods. Here’s some basic information you need to know about solar wind energy.

Solar wind energy utilizes a vertical axis wind turbine with embedded solar cells. If there is sun but the wind is not that strong, the power will mainly come from the sun. If the wind is strong, like during times of a developing storm when the sun isn’t out, power gets generated by wind. You’ll be able to utilize this to the fullest if the wind is strong and the sun is up.

The turbine produces electricity when the breeze is at a minimum of 4 mph, and it will be able to produce a good amount of electricity when the wind is at 20 mph. As the wind blows, the solar cells get cooled by the rotation. This process also helps the machine generate a good amount of electricity.

The common design of this machine is quite imposing, as it can go about 6 feet wide and 18 feet high. It is not cheap to own one, but considering the benefits that you can gain from it, you can look at it as an investment. Once it’s up and running, you can start counting the savings you accumulate by getting rid of your monthly electric bill.

One of the best versions of solar wind energy technology is designed with the double-helix curved wind vanes installed on a vertical axis covered with solar cells, which are covered with clear Teflon. This installation setup is still more affordable than buying solar panels and wind turbine separately.

Hopefully, there will be more innovations like solar wind energy in the future. This way, people can continue to enjoy life while harming the environment less and less.