Wind Power - Energy

 Introduction

                                      Wind power is the use of wind energy to generate useful work. Historically, wind power was used by sails, windmills and wind pumps, but today it is mostly used to generate electricity. This article deals mostly with wind power for electricity generation. Wind power or wind energy describes the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks such as grinding grain or pumping water, or can be converted into electricity by a generator. 

         

 

Types Of Wind Energy :

1) Offshore Wind Power 

                                       

                                 Offshore Wind Energy is the generation of electricity through wind farm in bodies of water, usually ate sea. There are higher wind speed offshore than on land, so offshore farms generate more electricity per amount of capacity installed. Offshore wind farms are also less controversial than those on land, as they have less impact on people and the landscape. Unlike the typical use of the term " offshore" in the marine industry, offshore wind power includes inshore water areas such as lakes, fjords and sheltered coastal areas as well as deeper-water areas. Most offshore wind farms employ fixed foundation wind turbines in relatively shallow water. Floating wind turbines for deeper waters are in an earlier phase of development and deployment. 

2)  Vertical - Axis Wind Turbine

                               A vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) is a type of wind turbine where the main rotor shaft is set transverse to the wind while the main components are located at the base of the turbine. This arrangement allows the generator and gearbox to be located close to the ground, facilitating service and repair.  VAWT's do not need to be pointed into the wind, which removes the need for wind -sensing and orientation mechanisms. A vertical axis wind turbine has its axis perpendicular to the wind streamlines and vertical to the ground.  

3) Horizontal - Axis Wind Turbines 

                                    Horizontal Axis Turbines are similar to propeller airplane engines. Horizontal Axis Turbines have blades like airplane propellers, and they commonly have three blades.  Large three-bladed horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) with the blades upwind of the tower produce the overwhelming majority of wind power in the world today. These turbines have the main rotor shaft and electrical generator at the top of a tower, and must be pointed into the wind. Small turbines are pointed by a simple wind vane, while large turbines generally use a wind sensor coupled with a yaw system. Most have a gearbox, which turns the slow rotation, of the blades into a quicker rotation that is more suitable to drive an electrical generator with no gearbox in between. 

                                    Most horizontal axis turbines have their rotors upwind of the supporting tower. Downwind mechanism have been built, because they don't need an additional mechanism for keeping them in line with the wind. In high winds, the blades can be also allowed to bend, which reduces their swept area and thus their wind resistance. Despite these advantages, upwind designs are preferred, because the change in loading from the wind as each blade passes behind the supporting tower can cause damage to the turbine. 

Advantages Of Wind Energy Systems

                                      Wind energy offers many advantages, which explains why it's one of the fastest growing energy sources in the world. To further expand wind energy's capabilities and community benefits, researches are working to address technical and socio-economic challenges in support of a decarbonized electricity future. 

a) Wind energy is clean and renewable energy sources. 

b) It is an air pollution less process to generate electricity. 

c) Economical and less place consuming energy. 

d) Does not result in any acid rains. 

e) The operational cost is very low , because of only one turbine is placed for generating the electricity. 

f) For wind energy generation, there is no need of fuel, because wind turbines are powered exclusive by wind energy. The turbine doesn't require fuel or an electrical connection after it is finished and mounted. 

g) The environmental impact is minimal. While wind turbines are typically constructed on hills, mountains, and in the ocean, they can also be placed in fields or gently sloping terrain without interfering with the cultivation of crops or the use of the land for animal pasture. 

h) Wind energy is the one of the cleanest forms of energy. Wind energy doesn't cause climate change because it doesn't release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere while producing energy because fossil fuels don't power the turbines. 

i) The energy produced by wind turbines can power many homes. So, using wind energy for our home or business doesn't necessarily require to make a huge financial investment. Due to this wind energy is considered cost effective. 

j) The wind energy industry creates many jobs opportunities. Since wind turbines became economically feasible, the wind energy sector has experienced rapid growth. this has led to the industry producing jobs all around the world. Jobs are currently available in wind energy consulting and wind turbine production, installation and maintenance. 

Disadvantages Of Wind Energy System

                                  As we know that every advantageous product also has disadvantages as well. Some disadvantages of wind energy systems are given below.

a) For some residents who live near to wind turbines, noise is a concern. The turbine blades produce a whooshing sound as they move through the air, while the generator inside the turbine emits a mechanical hum. 

b) Wind energy systems have location limitations. For wind turbines to be economically viable, they must be built in a region where they can provide enough electricity. Broad plains, hilltops and coastal areas are ideal for wind farms because thay all provide reliable, powerful winds. Offshore or in more rural places, or in remote locations far from cities and towns are often where most of these ideal locations are found. 

c) The set up of wind turbine systems are expensive, because of for commercial and residential uses, the production and installation of wind turbines demand significant upfront costs. 

d) Safety of people at risk - The wind turbine blades are susceptible to damage from violent storms and strong winds. People working nearby could be in danger from the malfunctioning blade. They might be hit by it, resulting in permanent physical impairment or, in some cases, even death. 

e) Wind turbines edge can harm animals, especially birds and other flying critters that may be close. 

f)  Remoteness Of Location - The cost of travel and maintenance on the turbines increases and is time consuming. Offshore wind turbines require boats and can be dangerous to manage. 

Future Scope Of Wind Energy

                                          Wind energy is available without any cost of fuel and it does not emit any greenhouse gases. This makes it a great source of energy production for any developing state. The field of wind energy has tremendous scope for innovation, translating to real world applications and tremendous economic opportunity. Wind energy independence from the climate conditions, so we have to generate the power for any time. Wind energy deployment increases community revenues. Local communities will be able to collect additional tax revenue from land lease payments & property taxes. Wind energy preserves water resources. Wind energy supports a strong domestic supply chain by providing a jobs in manufacturing, installation, maintenance and supporting service. 

A good market players in wind turbine industries are : 

a) Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy S. A. : Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy S. A., formerly Gamesa Corporation Technologica S.A. and Grupo Auxiliar Metalurgico S.A. is a Spanish German wind engineering company based in Zamudio, Biscay, Spain. In Spain, the company has two other main sites one in Madrid and the other one in Sarriguren (Navarre). The services commercial office is located in the Parque de la Innovacion de Navarra in Sarriguren. It manufacturers wind turbine and provides onshore and offshore wind services. 

b) Vestas Wind Systems A/S : Vestas Wind Systems A/S is a Danish manufacturer, seller, installer and services of wind turbines that was founded in 1945. The company operates manufacturing plant in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Taiwan, India, Italy, Romania, the United Kingdom, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Australlia, China, Brazil, Poland and the United States. 

c) GE Renewable Energy : GE Renewable Energy was created in 2015, combining the wind power assets. GE purchased from Alstom with those previously owned by, GE and operated under the Power and Water division. It is a manufacturing and services division of the American company General Electric. It is headquartered in Boulonge-Billancourt, France and focuses on the production of energy systems that use renewable sources. Its products include onshore wind, offshore wind, hydroelectric and solar power generating facilities. It is the world's largest wind turbine manufacturer.  

 d) Suzlon Energy Limited : It is a Indian multinational wind turbine manufacturer headquartered Suzlon One Earth in Pune India. In 1995, Tulsi Tanti , a Gujarati businessman, was managing 20 -employees textile comapny. Due to the erratic availability of local power and its rising cost, the hieghest business expenditure after the raw materials was electricity. the cost of electricity also offset any profits made by the company. After providing electricity for his own company, Tanti moved into wind energy production as a way to secure the textile company's energy needs and founded Suzlon Energy. In 2001, Tanti sold off the textile business, Suzlon was still run by Tanti, now in the role of Chairman. 

 e) Enercon GmbH : It is a wind turbine manufacturer based in Aurich, Lower Saxony, Germany. It has been the market leader in Germany since the mid-1990's. Enercon has production facilities in Germany, Brazil, India, Turkey and Portugal. 

f) Senvion : Senvion S.A. (called REpower Systems SE until 2014) was a German wind turbine manufacturer founded in 2001 in Germany, majority owned by a private equity firm. Senvion as REpower Systems, as it was initially called, was established in 2001 through the merge of German wind companies: HSW (Husumer Schiffswerft), the engineering consultancy Pro+Pro (a subsidery of Denker & Wulf and aerodyn Energiesysteme GmbH), the wind turbine manufacturer BWU and Jacobs Energie; and since April 2015 Centerbridge Partners. It was under the ownership of Suzlon, an Indian wind turbine manufacturer, from 2007 to 2015.

g) Goldwind : Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd. commonly known as Goldwind, is a Chinese multinational wind turbine manufacturer in Beijing, China. Goldwind was a state-owned enterprise before 2007, with largest shareholders including Hexie Health Insurance, China Three Gorges renewable group, and the National Social Security Fund, state controlled co-operations holding almost 40% shares. It's founder, Wu Gang, is a Communist party member. 

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Conclusion

                                  Electricity generation from the wind energy is the most efficient energy conversion system as these energy conversion systems utilize less energy, reduce very less carbon dioxide and produces high amount of overall energy. Wind energy describe the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines converts the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. Wind turbines are divided as per their applications and installations. they may be Vertical Axis wind Turbines, Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines ,Offshore Wind Power, etc. 

                              Wind power is considered renewable energy source. Wind power is considered a sustainable, renewable energy source, and has a much smaller impact on the environment compared to burning fossil fuels. Wind power is variable so it needs, energy storage or other dispatch able generation energy sources to attain a reliable supply of electricity. Land-based (onshore) wind farms have a greater visual impact on the landscape than most other power stations per energy produced. Wind farms sited offshore have less visual impact and have higher capacity factors, although they are generally more expensive. 

 

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