Wind is the cause of the irregular heating of the atmosphere. Wind flow patterns are altered by the earth's terrain, bodies of water,
and vegetative cover.
Wind energy is 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. The mechanical power can convert into electricity to power homes, businesses, schools, and the like.
Wind Turbines
Wind turbine’s propeller blades turn in the moving air and power an electric generator that supplies an electric current. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity.
Modern wind turbines fall into two basic groups; the horizontal-axis variety, like the traditional farm windmills used for pumping water, and the vertical-axis design, like the eggbeater-style Darrieus model, named after its French inventor. Most large modern wind turbines are horizontal-axis turbines
Turbine Components
Horizontal turbine components include:
• blade or rotor, which converts the energy in the wind to rotational shaft energy;
• a drive train, usually including a gearbox and a generator;
• a tower that supports the rotor and drive train; and
other equipment, including controls, electrical cables, ground support equipment, and interconnection equipment
Wind turbines are available in a variety of sizes, and therefore power ratings. The largest machine has blades that span more than the length of a football field, stands 20 building stories high, and produces enough electricity to power 1,400 homes. A small home-sized wind machine has rotors between 8 and 25 feet in diameter and stands upwards of 30 feet and can supply the power needs of an all-electric home or small business.
Utility-scale turbines range in size from 50 to 750 kilowatts.
Single small turbines, below 50 kilowatts, are used for homes, telecommunications dishes, or water pumping
Cost Issues
The cost of wind power has decreased dramatically in the past 10 years, the initial investment than fossil-fueled generators. Roughly 75-80% of the cost is the machinery, with the balance being site preparation and installation. If wind generating systems are compared with fossil-fueled systems on a "life-cycle" cost basis, however, wind costs are much more competitive with other generating technologies because there is no fuel to purchase and minimal operating expenses
Additional Information on Wind Energy
http://energy.gov/science-innovation/energy-sources/renewable-energy/wind
http://windeis.anl.gov/guide/basics/
and vegetative cover.
Wind energy is 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. The mechanical power can convert into electricity to power homes, businesses, schools, and the like.
Wind Turbines
Wind turbine’s propeller blades turn in the moving air and power an electric generator that supplies an electric current. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity.
Modern wind turbines fall into two basic groups; the horizontal-axis variety, like the traditional farm windmills used for pumping water, and the vertical-axis design, like the eggbeater-style Darrieus model, named after its French inventor. Most large modern wind turbines are horizontal-axis turbines
Turbine Components
Horizontal turbine components include:
• blade or rotor, which converts the energy in the wind to rotational shaft energy;
• a drive train, usually including a gearbox and a generator;
• a tower that supports the rotor and drive train; and
other equipment, including controls, electrical cables, ground support equipment, and interconnection equipment
Wind turbines are available in a variety of sizes, and therefore power ratings. The largest machine has blades that span more than the length of a football field, stands 20 building stories high, and produces enough electricity to power 1,400 homes. A small home-sized wind machine has rotors between 8 and 25 feet in diameter and stands upwards of 30 feet and can supply the power needs of an all-electric home or small business.
Utility-scale turbines range in size from 50 to 750 kilowatts.
Single small turbines, below 50 kilowatts, are used for homes, telecommunications dishes, or water pumping
Cost Issues
The cost of wind power has decreased dramatically in the past 10 years, the initial investment than fossil-fueled generators. Roughly 75-80% of the cost is the machinery, with the balance being site preparation and installation. If wind generating systems are compared with fossil-fueled systems on a "life-cycle" cost basis, however, wind costs are much more competitive with other generating technologies because there is no fuel to purchase and minimal operating expenses
Additional Information on Wind Energy
http://energy.gov/science-innovation/energy-sources/renewable-energy/wind
http://windeis.anl.gov/guide/basics/