What Makes a Wind Turbine Work
The kinetic energy that is present in the wind is converted into mechanical energy or electricity. Basically, wind energy is definitely renewable being free from pollution, fuel-free, it does not emit greenhouse gasses and free from toxic or radioactive waste.
Wind energy in the past was simply used to grind grain through the windmill. Today however, modern use include pumping water and generation of electricity run by present-day machines such as “wind pumps”, “wind turbine generators” or in more general terms called “wind turbines”.
A wind turbine is composed of six major apparatus:
- A rotor that converts the wind energy aerodynamically into a mechanical energy on a slow turning shaft
- A gearbox that increases the speed of the rotor-shaft for the generator however some uniquely designed generators do not need a gearbox as they run at rotor-shaft speed
- A generator to produce electricity
- A control and safety mechanism to maximize performance while keeping the machinery operating with caution
- A tower to elevate the rotor above the ground to catch greater wind speed and avoids local obstructions
- A foundation is necessary to aid the wind turbine system which is sometimes supported by guy wires
Various electricity ranges is produced by wind turbine generators depending on various factors such as the size of the rotor. With a diameter of about 1m, a rotor can generate a few hundred watts of electricity while those that higher diameter that approach 75m is able to produce over one megawatt of electricity.
