RENEWABLE SOURCE OF ENERGY

WIND ENERGY

THEORY

What is Wind Energy?

Wind energy is the kinetic energy associated with the movement of atmospheric air. Wind turbines
transform the energy in the wind into mechanical power, which can then be used directly for grinding
etc. or further converting to electric power to generate electricity.
Wind turbines can be used singly or in clusters called wind farms. Small wind turbines called aerogenerators can be used to charge large batteries.

How is wind energy created?

Wind power is created by different types of wind power generators. The two most commonly used wind
machines are:
1. Windmills
Windmills are the oldest form of technology used to create wind energy. They were originally created to
help pump water for farming and consisted of a tower with a multi-bladed rotary engine. The wind
would turn the blades, which would then turn a crankshaft that would pump the water. Windmills can
be used for not only pumping water, but also for grinding grain, tobacco and other spices.
2. Wind Turbines
Wind turbines are the most modern wind machines that also use large blades to generate electricity.
These machines consist of blades that are mounted on a turning shaft. The shaft has a gear transmission
box that increases the speed of the blades. The transmission is attached to another shaft that turns a
generator to create electricity. Wind turbines can be use for charging batteries, pumping water and
powering homes.

What's the difference between a windmill and a wind turbine?

Both windmills and wind turbines use wind to 'do stuff.' The difference is in what they do. For example,
windmills harness the movement of the wind to mechanically grind grain or pump water from
underground. They do not produce electricity.
Wind turbines on the other hand, use the mechanical energy to generate electricity. That electricity may
then be used to power anything electrical, or be fed straight into the national grid.

RENEWABLE SOURCE OF ENERGY

WIND ENERGY

What are wind farms?

When many wind turbines are constructed on one site, they are collectively called a wind farm.

Belgium wind farm project

THEORY

RENEWABLE SOURCE OF ENERGY

WIND ENERGY

THEORY

Working of a Wind Turbine

Wind turbines convert wind energy directly into electrical energy. Individual wind turbines can be
installed for the domestic purpose, while for the commercial purposes a number of them can be
installed in what is called wind farm or wind power plant. A wind turbine is the device that converts
wind energy directly to the electrical energy.
Parts of Wind Turbine and its Working
1) Fan blades: The wind turbines comprises of the large fan blades which are connected to the hub.
2) Shaft: The hub is mounted on the shaft. When the atmospheric wind blows over the fan blades they
start rotating, due to this the shaft also starts rotating. If the wind blows very fast the brakes are applied
to control the speed of rotation of fan blades and the shaft.
3) Transmission gearbox: The speed of rotation of the shaft is very slow and it is not sufficient to
produce the electricity. To increase the output speed the shaft is connected to the gear box.
4) Output from the gearbox: The input is given to large gear of the gearbox rotating at slow speed and
output is obtained from the small gear hence the speed of the output shaft increases.
5) Electricity from the generator: The high speed output shaft from the gearbox is connected to the
generator and it rotates inside the generator. It is here that the electricity is produced.