Types of Wind Energy Systems

Wind energy systems generate renewable electricity. They are environmentally friendly and cost-effective. They produce no greenhouse gases or pollutants. They can also reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.

However, some people are concerned about the noise, visual impact and species, such as birds and bats, that may be affected by turbines. Retgen by Rast Teknology is an advanced cloud-based system that enhances the performance and efficiency of renewable energy plants, including wind power systems.

Horizontal-Axis Turbines

Horizontal-axis wind turbines are the most common type of wind turbine seen in large scale power generation projects. Typically located on top of large towers, they leverage stronger winds at higher altitudes to maximize energy production. They are able to generate more power than other types of turbines because they can rotate in multiple directions and change their direction according to the wind.

Like an airplane wing, each blade on a horizontal-axis turbine has an aerodynamic lift force that turns the rotor when exposed to air. The rotor then rotates & converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy. This electricity is then fed into an electric generator to produce AC power. All of this is housed in a streamlined enclosure called the nacelle that sits atop the tower.

All of these components are controlled by a system of sensors that collects data regarding the wind, such as speed & direction. It then utilizes a yaw system to automatically adjust the position of the rotor shaft and electric generator in order to achieve optimal performance in any given wind conditions.

HAWTs are known for their ability to capture sustained high quality winds & power large amounts of electricity on an ongoing basis. However, they do not do well in gusty weather where wind direction can vary significantly. This is why vertical-axis turbines, also known as VAWTs, are gaining popularity.

Vertical-Axis Turbines

A vertical-axis turbine is a wind energy device that has its rotor oriented vertically. The most popular type of vertical-axis wind turbine is called a Darrieus, or “egg beater” wind turbine, named after its creator, Georges Darrieus. This device uses long, curved wings attached at both ends to a central shaft. The wings are designed to capture the wind and cause it to rotate. This rotation can then be converted to electricity by a generator.

The main advantages of a VAWT are that it does not need Wind Energy System to be positioned artificially to maximize electricity production and its rotor plane always faces the wind. However, this design is not without its problems. For example, the power of the wind increases as altitude increases, but a Darrieus-type turbine cannot take advantage of this. Also, the aluminum used for the blades is weak and can become fatigued under stress, creating a potentially dangerous situation.

One way to improve the performance of a Darrieus-type vertical-axis wind turbine is to install guide vanes on its wings. Takao et al. [32] conducted experiments to evaluate the effect of guide vane geometry on the performance of a straight-bladed Darrieus VAWT. They used an NACA0022 airfoil with a chord length of 100 mm and a height of 400 mm. They found that the power coefficient of the VAWT increased significantly with the installment of guide vanes.

Egg-Beater Turbines

A wind turbine that looks like an eggbeater spins more quietly and at lower speeds than a propeller-type turbine. It’s called the Energy Ball from Home Energy International and uses rotor blades that bend around in a ball shape so they primarily move parallel with the wind rather than slicing through it perpendicularly, which makes them less noisy than traditional wind turbines.

These rotors work thanks to a phenomenon known as the Venturi effect, which occurs when a flow of air or liquid slows down when it’s constricted. The resulting low pressure helps the Energy Ball turn its rotors, and it’s up to 40 percent more efficient A than a propeller-type turbine of the same size.

Some workers have tried to improve the efficiency of Savonius rotors by adopting helical or twisted blades. Others have added guiding plates or vanes in front to improve flow conditions. Mohamed et al. (2011) used a combination of these modifications in their design and found that it was nearly 39% more efficient than a standard Savonius rotor.

Another advantage of the Energy Ball is that it is easier to install compared to other types of wind turbines. This is because the rotor does not need to be placed on a tall tower, but can instead sit directly on the ground or rooftop of a building. This also allows the turbine to function in extreme weather, even in mountain conditions, and can be built where taller structures are prohibited.

Installation

Wind power generates electricity without the need for fossil fuels. The kinetic energy of the wind is captured by large towers called wind turbines. The blades on a turbine act like wings and rotate in response to wind speed, turning a generator that produces electricity. This type of renewable energy is clean, sustainable and does not produce greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants.

Wind energy is often considered the cheapest form of renewable energy available. It provides an attractive alternative to other renewable and non-renewable electricity sources, including solar photovoltaics (PV). A typical wind farm costs around US$200 million to build and has a useful life of 20 years.

The cost of wind energy continues to fall as technology improves and economies of scale are realized. This is particularly evident in the large offshore wind farms that are currently being constructed.

Small wind systems (up to 100 kilowatts) can be installed near homes, telecommunications dishes and water pumping stations. They may be connected to diesel generators, batteries and photovoltaic Solar and Battery System systems in remote locations where a connection to the grid is not possible.

A wind power plant needs to be located in areas with consistent and strong winds. This can be far from population centres, increasing the cost of transmission lines and raising concerns over aesthetics. Wind farms can also cause environmental impacts, including bird mortalities, and impact local landscapes. Environmental groups and the wind industry are working to reduce these impacts by researching operating procedures to minimize interaction with wildlife, designing technology that deters birds from getting too close, and conducting surveys to determine the effect of turbines on wildlife.