Wind power

Wind is an alternative energy source.

Wind Energy Unit (REU)

A wind turbine, or wind turbine generator, is a device that converts the kinetic energy of air flow into electricity.
It is an alternative energy source.
Its output as well as the output current characteristics are linked to the cubic dependence on the wind velocity.
Because of this and the variability of the wind, it cannot be used on its own.
Batteries are also required for storing electricity as well as equipment for charging the batteries.
On average, a wind turbine generates 150 kWh/month of electricity.
The resource characteristic of a wind turbine is measured in 10 - years.

Wind turbines can be divided into 3 categories:

• industrial,
• commercial,
• Household (for private use).
• Industrial wind turbines are installed by the state or large energy corporations.
• As a rule, they are combined into networks, which results in a wind power plant (WPP).
• The main difference between WPPs and conventional ones (thermal, nuclear) is the complete absence of both raw materials and waste.
• The only important requirement for wind power plants is a high annual average wind level.
• The capacity of modern wind generators reaches 7,5 MW.

There are 2 basic types of wind turbines:

• with a vertical axis of rotation ("carousel" rotors (including the "Savonius rotor"), "vane" orthogonal ones - the Darier rotor);
• with horizontal axis of rotation (winged).

The wind turbine consists of:

• a wind turbine mounted on a mast with sprags and spun by a rotor or blades;
• wind wheel with 3 blades, arranged in radii and at an angle to the plane of rotation;

Electric generator - synchronous alternating current generator;
 

Operating torque in the wind wheel is created by aerodynamic forces generated on the blades, which have a special aerodynamic profile.

The wind turbine uses a "tail fin" to orient it in the direction of the wind.

The electrical power generated is fed into the:

1. battery charge controller connected to the batteries,
2. batteries (usually maintenance free 24 V),
3. an inverter (= 24V -> ~ 220V 50Hz) connected to the mains
   

Advantages of wind power plants:

Possibility to supply power to any locations regardless of the degree of distance from the main lines,
no need to build a large power plant; individual compact units can be used,
Ready-made wind power plants do not need fuel and other eco view resource supplies.
 

There are the following classifications of wind turbines:

• - by the number of blades:
• two-blade,
• three-blade,
• multi-blade;
• - by the material of the blades:
• rigid-bladed,
• sail;
• - by working axis of rotation:
• horizontal,
• vertical;
• - by propeller pitch:
• fixed propeller pitch,
• with variable propeller pitch.