Wind Turbines

https://pursuitengineering.blogspot.com/2017/02/wind-turbines.html
 A wind turbine works the opposite of a fan

wind turbines use wind to make electricity.

The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which

connects to a generator and makes 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 a generator can
convert this mechanical power into electricity.
If the mechanical energy is then converted to electricity, the
machine is called a wind generator.
 Types of Wind Turbines

Wind turbines are classified into two general

types

Horizontal axis
Vertical axis

A horizontal axis machine has its blades rotating

on an axis parallel to the ground

A vertical axis machine has its blades rotating on

an axis perpendicular to the ground
Horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWT)

Theses wind turbines typically either have two or

three blades. These three-bladed wind turbines
are operated "upwind," with the blades facing
into the wind.
Horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWT)

Up-Wind Turbines

Some wind turbines are designed

to operate in an upwind mode
(with the blades upwind of the
tower). Large wind turbines use
a motor-driven mechanism that
turns the machine in response to
a wind direction. Smaller wind
turbines use a tail vane to keep
the blades facing into the wind
Horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWT)

Down-Wind Turbines

Other wind turbines operate

in a downwind mode so that
the wind passes the tower
before striking the blades.
Without a tail vane, the
machine rotor naturally
tracks the wind in a
downwind mode.
Horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWT)

Shrouded Wind
Turbines

Some turbines have an

added structural design
feature called an
augmentor. The
augmentor is intended
to increase the amount
of wind passing through
the blades.

Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT)

 Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT)

Savonius Wind Turbine

The Savonius turbine is S-shaped if

viewed from above. This drag-type
VAWT turns relatively slowly, but
yields a high torque. It is useful for
grinding grain, pumping water,
and many other tasks, but its slow
rotational speeds make it
unsuitable for generating
electricity on a large-scale
 Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT)

Flapping Panel
Wind Turbine

This illustration shows

the wind coming from
one direction, but the
wind can actually
come from any
direction and the wind
turbine will work the
same way
 Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT)

Darrieus Wind
Turbine

The Darrieus turbine is

the most famous vertical
axis wind turbone. It is
characterized by its C-
shaped rotor blades
which give it its
eggbeater appearance.
It is normally built with
two or three blades.

 Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT)

Giromill Wind Turbine

The giromill is typically

powered by two or three
vertical aerofoils attached to
the central mast by
horizontal supports. Giromill
turbines work well in
turbulent wind conditions and
are an affordable option
where a standard horizontal
axis windmill type turbine is
unsuitable
 Parts of a Wind Turbine

The nacelle contains the key components of the

wind turbine, including the gearbox, and the
electrical generator.
The tower of the wind turbine carries the nacelle
and the rotor. Generally, it is an advantage to
have a high tower, since wind speeds increase
farther away from the ground.
The rotor blades capture wind energy and
transfer its power to the rotor hub.
The generator converts the mechanical energy of
the rotating shaft to electrical energy
The gearbox increases the rotational speed of the
shaft for the generator
 Installing a Wind Turbine

The basic steps for installing a small wind

turbine on your property are:
Determine whether the wind resource in your
area makes a small wind system economical.
Determine your household electricity needs
by checking your monthly or yearly electricity
usage.
Find out whether local zoning ordinances
allow wind turbine installations.
Purchase and install a wind turbine sized to
the needs of your household.
 Siting a Wind Farm

Winds
Minimum class 4 desired for utility-scale wind farm (>7
m/s at hub height)

Transmission
Distance, voltage excess capacity

Permit approval
Land-use compatibility
Public acceptance
Visual, noise, and bird impacts are biggest concern

Land area
Economies of scale in construction
Number of landowners

 Advantages of Wind Power

Environmental
Economic Development
Fuel Diversity & Conservation
Cost Stability
small project size
Short/flexible development time
Dispatch ability
 Disadvantages

Generally remote location

Grid connectivity -- lack of transmission
capability
Intermittent output only when the wind blows
Low capacity factor
Birds of Prey (hawks, owls, golden eagles) in
jeopardy
Shutting down all the turbines for at least two
months each winter
Replace all before permits expire in 13 years
 Wind Energy and Power

Atmospheric pressure differences accelerate and

impart kinetic energy into the air

Wind energy conversion machines (WEC) convert

wind energy into electrical or mechanical forms

How much power can we extract?

 Wind Energy Natural Characteristics

Wind Speed

Wind energy increases with the cube of the wind

speed 10% increase in wind speed translates into
30% more electricity

2X the wind speed translates into 8X the electricity

Wind energy increases with height to the 1/7 power

2X the height translates into 10.4% more electricity

 Air density

Wind energy increases proportionally with air density

Humid climates have greater air density than dry

climates

Lower elevations have greater air density than

higher elevations

Wind energy in Denver about 6% less than at sea

level Blade swept area

Wind energy increases proportionally with swept

area of the blades
 Blades are shaped like airplane wings
10% increase in swept diameter translates
into 21% greater swept area

Longest blades up to 413 feet in diameter,

resulting in 600 foot total height

Height

Wind energy increases with height to the

1/7 power

2X the height translates into 10.4% more

electricity