WIND TURBINES:

An Overview

Jake Tufano

English 202C

10/15/10
Audience and Scope:
This document will describe the basic components, uses and benefits of using wind
turbines to generate electricity. It is meant to describe the overall function of the
mechanism in generating power to the general public. Since alternative energy is an
important topic in solving many of the world’s resource problems, I believe it is
important to relate the basics to society in an easy to understand all inclusive document.

Introduction:
A wind turbine is a rotating device that extracts energy from the wind. Wind turbines
work in the direct opposite of a fan, in that instead of using electricity to produce wind
they use wind to produce electricity. The mechanical energy is then converted into usable
electricity through a generator. The generator then transfers the electricity to a power grid
to be distributed where it can be utilized.

The first utilization of this concept was in the development of windmills, where the
power was used for applications such as grinding wheat or sawing lumber. Today many
designs exist, all of which rotate with wind and create power. Large wind turbines are
grouped together in an area called a wind farm. By drawing energy from a large number
of units power companies are able to produce electricity for thousands of people with low
costs and no negative environmental impact. One such wind farm is pictured below in
Figure 1.

Figure 1:
The Largest wind
farm in the world:
Horse Hollow
Wind Energy
Center in Texas.
Composed of 421
turbines which
produce 735
megawatts of
power. It covers
an area of 47,000
acres in two
counties.
Components of a Wind Turbine:
In this document the most widely used configuration of a wind turbine will be discussed
starting from its noticeable external features and then moving into the internal mechanics.
This design consists of blades, a tower, and a nacelle. The positioning of the components
may be seen in Figure 2 below.

Blades:
The blades of a wind turbine are what capture the air. They give the turbine the
characteristic fan look that makes them easily recognizable. Most designs contain
only two or three of these blades of varying lengths. These blades are attached to
a central unit called the rotor. This number of blades has been proven to produce
the highest efficiency with the low cost and low noise level.

Today most blades are constructed of glass– reinforce plastic which is strong,
durable and lightweight. The blades also have a feature called “pitch,” which
allows the angle of the blade to be adjusted through a controller. In high wind
conditions, in which power cannot be generated, the blades may be turned
completely parallel with the wind so no rotation occurs. Depending on the
application the blade span may range from a few feet for household models, to
several hundred feet for commercial designs, possible of generate megawatts of
power.

Tower:
The tower of a turbine is what the entire apparatus rests upon. These are usually
cone shaped and made of tubular steel, concrete, or steel lattice. Wind speed
generally increases with distance from the ground. Therefore the taller the tower,
the more efficient the turbine becomes. Because of the higher wind speeds these
structures must be able to withstand a large amount of lateral force. The tower is
also the housing for the components that transport the electricity to the ground
where it is
then sent to
the power
plant.

Nacelle:
The nacelle is
the outer case
which sits
atop the tower
containing
many of the
important
power

Figure 2: Schematic of internal mechanisms of a wind turbine.

 collecting and transferring mechanisms. This casing protects the internal workings
from the elements and provides a mounting point for these instruments. In larger
turbines the nacelle may be large enough for a helicopter to land on. Inside the
casing there is a gearbox, generator, control unit, yaw mechanism, brake and a
variety of shafts that transfer motion from one component to another.

Gearbox:
The gearbox is used to “step up” the power from the shaft to a speed at which
electricity can be produced in the generator. A shaft connects the rotor to a large
gear, which contacts a smaller gear. Thus the speed of rotation is increased. The
smaller gear is then connected via shaft to the generator.

Generator:
The generator used in a wind turbine is just a standard generator that produces 60-
cycle AC electricity. A generator, in essence is a motor run in reverse. Instead of
converting electrical energy into mechanical, it transfers rotational energy into
useable electricity.

Control Unit:
The nacelle also contains a control unit which enables rotation when wind speeds
reach a level suitable for power generation, typically between 8 and 16 mph. It is
also able to shut down the turbine in case or an emergency, or if wind speeds
reach a level unsafe for operation, in general, above 55 mph. Within the control
unit there is a brake which acts upon the shaft to stop rotation as well in the event
of an emergency.

Yaw Drive:
The yaw mechanism allows the nacelle to rotate so that it is always facing the
direction of the wind. Without this gearing interface a great deal of energy would
be unable to be harvested as a turbine works only when directly in line with the
direction of the wind.

Wind Vane:
This device is placed on top of the Nacelle and measures the direction of the
wind. It then communicates with the yaw drive to orient the turbine appropriately

Conclusion:
With the ever increasing demand to find an alternative method of power generation, wind
turbines provide one of many answers. Although as with anything there are drawbacks
and limitations, the technology is constantly improving in order to make wind a viable
option power production on a large scale. Many improvements have been made in recent
years but there is still much work to be done if heavy reliance upon wind energy is ever
to be implemented. There are products currently available for the home consumer to
utilize in their own backyard, which may cut electricity bills significantly. This can easily
be found on the internet, with prices ranging from 2,000 to 20,000 dollars.
Some people may question a wind farms practicality
because of the huge expanse of land necessary for
large power output. One answer to this is that wind
farms are often put in grassy plains where the blades
themselves are far above the land, allowing for
farmland or grazing areas for already existent animals.
Another popular area for wind farms is on mountain
tops, which is greatly beneficial for the added height
which means increased wind velocity.

Another recent development is placing these farms in

the open ocean. In the open ocean turbine blades are
able to reach spans unattainable on land, and are far
removed from human interference. Such a far is
pictured in Figure 3 at left. With so many options the
possibility for completely renewable energy
production is within reach in the near future.

Figure 3: A
wind farm off
the coast of
Denmark.
 WORKS CITED
Layton, Julia. "How Wind Power Works" 09 August 2006. HowStuffWorks.com.
<http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/wind-power.htm> 14
October 2010.

"Wind Energy Basics." Wind Energy EIS Public Information Center. Web. 15 Oct. 2010.
<http://windeis.anl.gov/guide/basics/index.cfm>.

"Wind and Water Power Program: How Wind Turbines Work." EERE: EERE Server
Maintenance. Dec.-Jan. 2101. Web. 15 Oct. 2010.
<http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_how.html>.