WIND+ENERGY+-+Tom

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Wind Energy is becoming more and more noticeable to the world in the modern economy. (Danemark) Basically wind energy works quite simply; the wind (movement of air particles) is picked up (crashes into the blades) by blades which are spun (by the wind) and spin a shaft which is then connected to a generator to transform that energy into electricity.

the most common wind energy is made up of newer vertical wind turbines which are usually made with three blades. These blades catch up the wind with the perfect shape to both cut through the wind it is spinning against and catch the wind that is flowing towards it to make it spin faster. The blades rotate on a rotor which spins the main shaft in the turbine. The main shaft is connected to the gearbox and generator which tranfers the spinning of the rotor and manipulates it into electrical output.

The energy transfers are as follows: Kinetic (wind) --> Kinetic (rotor & main shaft) --> Electrical (generator)

How efficent are they really?

Only about 50% of the energy int he wind is converted to spinning the blades, rotor, and main shaft as the wind particles move around the blades and don't give off all the energy they have as they impact with the blades.

Secondly, overall the turbines only work at 30% of their maximum capacity as the direction of wind changes and the natural uncertainty that there will be wind at all.

"Wind turbines usually operate 75-90% of the time – but not at full capacity." (Wind Turbine Efficiency)

A modern wind turbine can have a maximum capacity of about 2MW/h which results in 5256 MW/year when multiplied (365 days x 24 hours) and cut down to 30%.

This is enough energy to power about 1100 homes in the UK per year.

100% Energy in Wind 4W/h --> 50% Energy converted into spinning the turbine at a maximum of 2MW/h--> The Change in Wind Direction allows only 30% of the original 50% and so it results in only 15% of the energy in the wind is converted into actual electricity at around 5256 MWh generated per year which is enough to power about 1100 homes per year in the UK.

The wind turbines only work when there is sufficient wind and so they are placed in wide open places like the ocean and plains where they can pick up as much wind as possible. They are also equipped with a sensor that tells them in which direction to face depending on where the wind is coming from. The bigger the turbine the more energy it can output. These wind turbines are extremely good for the environment as they emit no pollution in any form. Although they are not very efficient yet, wind turbines are the most environmentally friendly way of making electricity.

Works Cited (Bibliography):

"What Is a Wind Turbine ?" Thesis. // Wind Energy //. Web. 25 Oct. 2010. < [] >.

// Wind Turbines Copenhangen Desktop Wallpaper Preview | Wallcaper.net //. Photograph. Wind Turbines Copenhangen, Copenhangen. // Wallcaper.net ...an Escapade in Desktop Wallpaper. // Web. 25 Oct. 2010. < [] >.

"Wind Turbine Efficiency." Interview. // Wind Energy Planning //. Oxford University Wind Energy Studies. Web. 25 Oct. 2010. < [] >.

"Wind Turbines and the Wind Energy - How Much Power Is in the Wind?" // Science and Technology Education from Flying Turtle Exploring //. Web. 26 Oct. 2010. < [] >.