Wind Power

Wind power is taking the energy generated from the wind and using it in more productive ways. Wind turbines are a machine that can transform the kinetic energy found in wind and convert it into mechanical energy. Mechanical energy works with kinetic energy to balance into the mechanical system.




When the mechanical energy is converted into electricity it can be called a wind turbine.

There are two different types of wind turbines - Horizontal axis and Vertical axis.

The most commonly used of these two are horizontal axis turbines.

The horizontal axis turbine features the main rotor shaft and generator at the top of the turbine. The horizontal axis is pointed into the wind. Most of these horizontal axis have a gearbox that allows the blades to turn quicker to generate more electricity. The tower is what provides turbulence. The turbine can be pointed somewhat upward and stand well above the blades. The blades are made of durable material capable of withstanding high winds.

Types of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines

1. Windmills - Consist of four or more blades, usually short, and can wooden blades. These were used to grind grain. As the winds picked up it would rotate a mechanism inside allowing it to run the grain through a mill crushing it.
2. Rural Windmills - Were originally from Australia but later moved over to the USA. Farmers found that this type of windmill was good to pump water and electricity to the barns and fields. This windmill had several blades and can still be seen today in fields. They were constructed of metal usually in order to carry electricity for lights or maybe a radio.
3. Modern Turbines - Are what we have now standing in fields. They feature three blades that are pointed at the ends. The reason for their unusual shape is because they have been proven to exceed wind velocity up to 6 times more, allowing for high efficiency and reliability.

The advantages of this type of wind turbine include stability, tallness, bendable, durable and strong. The disadvantages include that they cannot operate well close to the ground, are hard to transport over sea, difficult to install, not in big demand, there are also concerns about how they may affect radar and structural damage caused by storms.