Understanding Wind Power

Author: sol green

Author: sol green

Wind Electricity Nuts and bolts

Small wind-energy systems can supply electricity on inaccessible, off-grid sites, or directly in town connected to the power grid. Though wind systems have need of additional upkeep and need more attention than solar-electric or microhydro-electric systems, if you invest up front in high-quality equipment, design, and installation, wind-energy systems can make economic and environmental sense. They also bring about a great deal of satisfaction-theres nothing quite like watching your wind generator convert a summer breeze or a winter storm into electrical energy.

How It Works

Boiled down to its simplest principles, a wind generators revolving blades change the winds kinetic energy into rotational momentum in a shaft. The turning shaft turns an alternator, which produces electricity. This electrical power is passed through wiring along the tower to its end use.

The blades use engineered airfoils, matched to the alternator, that catch the winds energy. Most current wind generators make use of three blades, the best balance between the utmost efficiency possible (one blade) and the equilibrium that comes with multiple blades. Together, the blades and the core they are attached to are termed the rotor, which is the collector of the system, catching winds that pass by. Most turbines on the market at present are upwind machines-their blades are on the windward part of the tower. A few downwind machines are offered, but neither design has a clear working advantage over the other.

In nearly all small-scale designs, the rotor is connected precisely to the shaft of a permanent magnet alternator, which creates untamed, three-phase AC. Wild, three-phase electrical power means that the voltage and frequency change constantly with the wind speed. They are not set like the 60 Hz, 120 VAC electricity coming out of everyday home outlets. The wild production is rectified to DC to either charge batteries or feed a grid-synchronous inverter. In most configurations (up to 15 KW in peak power), the rotor is as a rule connected directly to the alternator, which eliminates the additional upkeep of gears. In systems 20 KW and bigger, as well as a few smaller wind systems (like the Endurance, Tulipo, or Aircon), a gearbox is used to raise alternator speed from a slower spinning rotor.

The blades must turn to meet the wind, so a yaw bearing is needed, allowing the wind turbine to follow the winds as they shift direction. The tail directs the rotor into the wind. Some kind of governing system limits the rotor rpm as well as generator output to defend the turbine from extreme winds. A shutdown means is also helpful to halt the device when needed, such as for the duration of an extreme storm, when you do not require the power, or at which time you desire to repair the system.

Go to Screw The Power Company for more interesting articlesAbout the Author:

Sol Green is a family man who believes that we can protect the environment by utilizing alternative energies that are clean as in solar and wind power.

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