Wind power is an alternative energy source that is being used successfully in some countries. There are still some obstacles to making wind power work and the use of wind turbines a sustainable option, but these issues are being addressed and have shown some promise. Low-wind condition countries cannot yet use these turbines successfully, but new technology has been invented to solve this problem. Visit the USEFUL LINKS page on RMEDTECH to learn more about this great technology.
Today, we are looking at wind power and turbines and discussing what they are and how they work.
How do Wind Turbines Work?
Wind turbines look like fans, but instead of creating wind through switching on the electricity, it uses wind to create electricity. Simply said, the natural wind that occurs on our planet makes the turbine propellers turn. The turning propellers turn the shaft that forms part of the turbine. The whole thing is connected to a generator that works only when the wind power turns the shaft. That is how wind power creates electricity.
Types of Wind Turbines
There are two main types of wind turbines in use at the moment. Other prototypes and models are also being developed to address the issue of using wind turbines in low-wind conditions. The two main types are:
Horizontal-axis: This type of turbine looks like a normal fan with three propellers mounted at the top of a pole or shaft. They look like modern-day windmills.
Vertical-axis: These turbines look a bit different and can be likened to an egg beater or eye-shaped design.
Locations for Wind Turbines
Wind turbines are more effective in areas where there is a lot of wind. Depending on the conditions, these turbines can be built on land or in oceans or lakes. Weather experts and scientists evaluate potential areas for wind farms to see whether the wind speed and frequency will be sufficient to justify installing wind turbines. In some areas and countries, wind turbines are not successful at all because there is not enough natural wind to turn the turbines.
Advantages of Wind Power
Wind power is one of the best options for renewable energy and it has many advantages. This type of energy has its limitations, but people across the world are working to solve the issues involved.Wind power generally works with wind turbines of some sort to generate electricity as discussed above. The wind is a renewable source that we cannot run out of. The one drawback of this energy is that it is dependent on weather patterns. Despite that, this is a great source of renewable energy that will help us save the planet. Countries like the UK and China are having great success with their onshore and offshore wind farms. Here is why wind power is great:
- It is a renewable source of energy. The wind cannot run out or become exhausted as a source. It is a naturally occurring thing that is caused by the sun heating up the atmosphere. So, unlike fossil fuels and nuclear energy, the wind will be a source of energy for as long as the sun shines.
- It doesn’t cause pollution. Wind power does not cause any damage to the planet in terms of pollution. It doesn’t have any types of emissions that are the result of generating electricity. According to studies, wind power can make a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when it is used on a larger scale.
- It doesn’t need water to generate electricity. Most of the current mainstream sources of energy require water in its processes. Wind power requires no water in generating electricity. This is a very big advantage because water is becoming increasingly rare and all life on earth depends on water. So, the less water needed for the generation of electricity, the better.
- It is cost-effective. Wind power is an affordable alternative source of energy. The largest costs go into building wind farms, but once they’re up, the costs are minimal. Some wind farms charge a mere few cents per kilowatt-hour for wind power generated on the farm. Compared to other sources of energy, that is the cheapest you will ever get.
- It doesn’t require major tree removal. Most of the areas where the wind is ideal to harness are found in open spaces in rural areas. These areas are usually farmland which makes it very easy to set up a wind turbine or two. These turbines then supply electricity to the farms and they get paid for the use of their land by the companies that build the wind turbines and harness the energy. This is great for both parties. It is also ideal for rural areas where the electricity grids cannot reach.
- It creates jobs. Wind power, as with solar power, is a growing market and is also responsible for the creation of thousands of jobs. Job opportunities related to wind power are growing at a great speed and will continue to do so as it becomes a more prominent energy source.
Wind power is a good option for a sustainable energy source. However, there are still some things that need to be addressed before everyone in the world can benefit from it. It is very clear that despite some challenges, wind power is a very real and very advantageous type of energy. Its advantages are numerous and will definitely help with reducing the exhaustion of other natural resources.Currently, the UK is one of the countries that have had the most success with harnessing wind power and creating electricity.