How Wind Energy Equipment Works

By John Taylor


Wind is one of the most reliable renewable energy sources that are easy to capture and use. Wind energy equipment is powered by turbines connected to generators to produce electricity. Turbines also comprise of blades that rotate in the presence of moving air. Rotors found in these blades are connected to a generator and facilitate the unlimited production of power.

Turbines resemble fans in design and structure. They however operate differently when compared to usual fans. They utilize moving air to power a generator that produces electricity. Moving air is a form of solar energy that is produced when the atmosphere is heated by the sun. Moving air spreads at varying speeds depending on the topography of a landscape. Flat terrains are the best for tapping moving air.

Turbines usually convert the kinetic power in moving air to mechanical power that produces electricity in the process. Mechanical power has several uses and one of them is to spin a generator. The speed of moving air should be relatively high for mechanical power to be produced in large amounts. This results to high electricity production.

There are two types of turbines used to convert moving air to useful power. The first type is usually installed horizontally with respect to a terrain. The other type lies vertically from a landscape. Both of them have approximately three blades that face the direction of moving air. Turbines can also be constructed either on land or on large water bodies such as lakes and oceans. Those that are constructed on water bodies are referred to offshore mills.

Mills are also classified based on the capacity to produce electric power. For example, a typical turbine produces at least one hundred units of kilowatts. Other turbines have the capability to generate more power and this depends on their mechanical structure. These machines are normally constructed on open terrains and are positioned effectively to facilitate the production of bulk power.

Low voltage mills are suitable for powering houses, water pumping machines and telecommunication dishes. They can be used in such contexts because their electrical power production is significantly low. These devices are also suitable for powering small voltage batteries and diesel powered generators.

Electricity that is generated by turbines varies every second when moving air passes. The time variation is normally significant and has minimum effects on the operation of a generator. This variation also depends on the speed of moving air. For example, there are weather seasons when air in motion moves at a very little velocity. Electrical power generation and consumption is however supposed to be balanced to maintain stability of an electric grid.

The wind industry amasses thousands of revenue hence strengthening the economy. The construction of large turbines in flat terrains also receives enormous support in terms of finances to encourage development. More sophisticated mills are also manufactured by mechanical industries to cope up with the large amount of power generated from moving air.




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