Last updated: 24 March 2022

The Rise of Wind Energy

What is Wind Energy?

Wind energy is the energy resulting from wind force that is found on the Earth's surface. Exploited, it can be transformed into mechanical energy for pumping water, for example, or milling wheat using running wind mills. By connecting a rotor to an electric generator, modern wind turbines convert wind energy that spins the rotor into electricity.

Early Uses of Wind Energy

Wind energy can be dated back to early civilizations, such as the Egyptians who used the energy generated by wind when they sailed the Nile upstream. Since then, wind energy has been used on more advanced sailing vessels, serving mainly commercial transportation, military and scientific purposes.

Wind energy has been exploited overland when the first windmill was built in ancient Persia in the seventh century. Since then windmills are used for grinding wheat, pumping water, sawing wood or for providing other forms of mechanical energy. But large-scale exploitation barely appeared in the twentieth century, with the advent of modern "windmills" - wind turbines, which can generate a power between 250 kW and 300 kW.

Wind Turbines

Due to the fact that wind is a clean and an endless source of energy, wind turbines are installed in developed countries where wind intensity allows for this. Wind power can be exploited to supplement traditional sources of electricity, such as heat generated by burning coal.

Improvements to the rotors and propellers, combined with an increase in the number of turbines installed, resulted in an increase in wind power by about 150% since 1990.

Modern Uses of Wind Energy

To find a power source to charge your cell phone can be a problem when you are on a trip to the mountains or simply forgot to take your charger with you. But the solution to this problem may be simpler than previously thought. Students from the Indian Institute of Technology have come up with a great idea to this problem by creating portable turbines, which are fueled by the wind, and can be attached to a mobile phone charging.

Although the technology is not yet on the market, it paves the way for the future of wind energy and its many uses in everyday life. The device is meant for those who are in coastal areas where wind is always present. But it can be used everywhere, even during a trip, as long as there are air currents. This might be an ideal solution for those who do not have at hand a source of electricity, as it is the case in third world countries.

Wind energy is a promising source of electric power in the future due to its clean energy and endless availability. However, because wind speeds vary throughout the day, season or years the wind generated power becomes an intermittent resource. In areas of the world with wind turbines, these produce energy at levels of around 60% during the year. Even so it may be insufficient even if wind turbines are operating at full capacity.

Parts of a Wind Turbine

A wind turbine consists of several elements which work together to make it functional. Although it might look like a turbine contains many components, you would be surprised to find out that it is only composed of a few.

Blades – The blades are among the most important wind turbine components. Most often, the blades are made with the same technologies used in the aviation industry, composite materials, ensuring simultaneously mechanical strength, flexibility, elasticity and low weight. Sometimes metal or wood materials are used in the construction of the blades. The form and conception of the blades of a wind turbine is essential to ensure the necessary rotational force. This design is specific to each type of power plant.
Nacelle - The nacelle is intended to protect the wind turbine components which are mounted within it, namely the main shaft speed multiplier, brake, shaft high speed, electric generator, electric generator, cooling system and swivel system.
Pillar - Aims to support the wind turbine and allows access for the execution of maintenance or repair works. On the inside, the pillars are fitted with both the network distribution of electricity produced by the wind turbine and the access stairs to the platform.
The Base – The base is made of concrete reinforced with steel bars. The base has several designs, the first is a shallow flat disk and the other is a deep cylinder shape.

How Does a Wind Turbine Function?

The system is based on a simple principle. The wind moves the blades which in turn acts the generator. The mechanical system is comprised of a speed multiplier which directly acts the central axis of the electric generator. The electric current obtained is either submitted for storage in the batteries and then used with the aid of a DC-AC inverter in small capacity turbines, or shipped directly to the alternating current (AC) network and to distributors.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Turbines

Depending on the type of wind turbine we have a number of advantages and disadvantages.

Horizontal axis turbines (HAWT) - In which the propeller blades of turbines, generator and electric motor shaft are mounted on top.

Advantages

The propeller is near the center of gravity of the turbine, increasing stability.
The alignment of the propeller with the wind direction offers the best angle for the blade, maximizing the resulting electricity.
Propeller blades can be folded to prevent damage in case of strong winds.
Tall pillars allow access to stronger winds, resulting in an increase in current produced by the turbine.

Disadvantages

HAWT turbines’ efficiency decreases with their height because of wind turbulence.
Tall pillars and long blade propellers are difficult to transport, sometimes the cost of transport is 20% that of the equipment itself.
HAWT turbines are difficult to install and require cranes and skilled personnel.
Tall turbines near radars can obstruct the air traffic control.
Because of their height, horizontal axis turbines have a negative impact on the surrounding landscape.

Vertical axis turbines (VAWT)

Advantages

They are easier to maintain because the moving parts are placed closer to the ground.
Propeller blades are vertical, so there is no need for a "rudder" propeller orientation.
By building vertical turbines, they have a high aerodynamic efficiency at high and low pressure.
The propeller blades of a vertical axis turbines have a section larger than those of a horizontal axis turbines.
VAWT turbines are more efficient in areas with turbulent wind because the propeller blades are placed closer to the ground.
Low height allows installation in areas where legislation does not allow high buildings.
No need for a tower on top to be installed, so they are less expensive and better withstand strong winds.
Can be built on larger mechanisms that rotate completely, no longer requiring special and expensive bearings.

Disadvantages

VAWT turbine efficiency stands at 50% of the average efficiency of HAWT
Most VAWT turbines need to be have an electric motor switched on in weak wind conditions.
Anchored VAWT turbines create mechanical stress on the cable clamping mechanism in the propeller shaft.
Most parts of VAWT turbines are placed at the bottom, so changing them involves dismantling the whole structure.