How Wind Power Works

The way the wind turbine works is when the wind blows, the blades on the wind mill (or turbine) are spun to run the motor that is attached to the back of the turbine. The motor transfers its energy through wires to a substation where the energy is transferred into electricity that can be useful for residential and commercial areas. The energy is then delivered through wires across the country.

As the global supply of fossil fuels becomes steadily lower, need is growing for new energy sources that are beneficial to the environment and cost-effective. Wind power is one solution to this need. Wind turbines require significant investment, but are cost-efficient in the long term. If construction of turbines is sufficiently increased, the wind may be able to in the future provide a very major portion of global energy.

One of the fastest growing energy sources in the world, wind power is a globally advantageous renewable resource.

Wind is air in motion, and is caused by the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface by the sun (“Wind”). Because of this, wind energy has less impact on the environment then other energy sources. Therefore, wind can produce electricity through a turbine or windmill. A wind turbine is a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind into electrical power. (“Wind Turbine”) In order for a wind turbine to work there are many properties that must be present such as: wind, wind speed, location with the right wind, as well as other characteristics that come to play such as short and long term fluctuations and the distribution of wind direction.

Have you ever driven down highway 30 in west central Iowa at night, looked out the window and seen hundreds of red flashing lights? How about driving through north Lincoln and seeing two enormous white turbines spinning in the wind? If you did not know previously, the red flashing lights at night and white turbines are windmills used for generating power. These windmills can produce 2.5 to 3 megawatts of electricity daily. Wind power can be easily used to generate electric for both personal and public use. Looking at the benefits of wind power over fossil fuels, uses of wind power for personal and public use, and the effects of global warming on wind power, you can decide if using wind energy is a good option or not.

In the Book Building Green Skyscrapers by Mary Reid, the wind turbine is the best because it can be be use for two uses. To start wind turbines can power up buildings. The narrator stated “The wind spins the huge blades of a wind turbine... the turbine runs a machine called a generator. “ (Reid 5). This shows that this can save energy because all extra energy goes into the batteries for later use. Furthermore, Wind is the best type of source. The narrator stated “Wind power is one free source of clean electricity… wind does not produce harmful gases… Nobody needs to worry about running low on wind” (Reid 4). This explains that wind turbines are the best because you can always count on wind to help if you need. In conclusion, Wind Turbines

Jason M. Everett claims that “The kinetic energy in the wind can be used to turn a propeller-like wind turbine connected to an electric generator. The generator converts the kinetic energy into electrical energy, which can then be used to power a wide range of things.” Because of this, “Wind energy comes from the sun. As solar radiation heats the earth’s surface, hot air rises and cool air fills the voids. This air movement is defined as wind energy. Wind that is harnessed via mechanical means is also referred to as wind energy.” Jason M. Everett states

In our world today, energy is needed to work our technologies and help us complete daily task. With a growing population, the demand for energy is very high. Harnessing the energy could sometimes be difficult and dangerous to ourselves and the environment. Fossil fuels and nuclear power are the most used types of energy in the United States. The problem with this is that the energy is limited, and harmful to the environment. Wind energy is an alternative renewable energy source that counters this problem, and is rapidly emerging in our world.

Wind energy is a clean, alternative source of energy that does not produce greenhouse gas emissions and can be produced domestically. While wind energy accounts for a small overall portion of the energy produced in the United States, the potential for wind energy is significant. Nevertheless, there are some obstacles that delay the widespread use of this technology, including intermittency of wind, cost, and public policies that deter their implementation.

A wind turbine looks and works like a giant fan, but difference is turbines uses wind to make electricity, while a fan uses electricity to make wind. The size and model of a turbine depend specifically on the area in which it will be used. A turbine is made up of an 80 meter steel tower that is secured into the ground by steel rebar and concrete. Three large blades are attached to the hub, which is the center of the rotor. The hub directs energy from the blades into the generator. The energy then is transported to the nacelle. The nacelle is a container that houses the gearbox, low shaft, high speed shaft, controller, generator, and break. The blades cut through the air and distort the wind force, which can affect another turbine in another spot, so spacing is important. In one square kilometer can fit twenty wind turbines. The distance between the blades depend on size of turbines and geographical area.Wind turbines are usually 300 meters apart, or seven rotor diameters apart. Rotor diameter refers to the amount of area swept by the

Wind Power is power obtained by harnessing the energy of the wind. Uneven rays, temperature, and the rotation of the earth are what cause wind, warm and cold, which in turn provides energy. Wind turbines are the main items used to provide energy from the wind. Wind turbines have large blades that turn in a circular motion at the top of the tower. As the blades turns, it causes a shaft to turn as well inside the tower. The shaft is connected to a generator which generates electricity. These wind turbines are placed on either onshore or offshore wind farms. Onshore wind farms are placed on ridges, hills, and seashores, since those are the best areas to catch wind. On the other hand, offshore wind farms are not only very difficult to build and maintain, but on the bright side, pick up more wind than onshore wind farms since they are placed in the sea (Fridell pp. 13-18). This source of energy is good to use since it is very efficient because the wind usually occurs around the world. Wind energy also provides jobs. Wind jobs are growing 12 times faster than other industries. And, a wind turbine technician is the fastest growing profession in the United States (Samuelson 2017). Also, just one wind turbine can provide energy for several houses. For example, In the book, Earth Friendly Energy on page 34, It states, “In 2005 the total was 58,982 megawatts. On the average, one megawatt of wind power can serve 160 U.S

A wind turbine is the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, wind turbines use wind to make electricity. Wind turbines convert the potential energy in the wind into kinetic energy that results in mechanical power- The turning of the blades and drive shaft. The mechanical energy can then be used for traditional tasks such as grinding grain or pumping water. Modern wind turbines use generators to convert this mechanical power into electricity that can power homes, businesses, schools and other buildings. Wind turbines are often grouped together into a single wind power plant also known as a wind farm, and generate bulk electrical power. Electricity from these turbines is fed into a utility grid and distributed to customers, just as with conventional power plants. Wind turbines come in a variety of sizes and power ratings. Utility-scale turbines

We are facing an energy crisis on Earth. Burning fossil fuels are harming the atmosphere; this global warming and affects produces chemicals that hurt our body. People are starting to think about using alternative energy. Wind power would be our first choice, because it’s clean, inexhaustible and renewable. Today, wind power is mainly used in Europe. We believed wind power would be the main source of alternative energy for world use.

The main cost of wind energy is in the initial investment in the construction of a wind turbine; the upkeep cost is generally marginal and lower than one cent per kWhr. In general, wind power works by having air molecules move across the turbine blades transferring kinetic energy from the molecules to the turbine, causing it to turn. As it turns, the mechanical energy can be used to perform tasks such as grinding grain. More commonly, the turbine turns and utilizes a power generator to convert the mechanical energy to electrical energy.

When the wind is blowing, the windmill will be moving and creating renewable energy. If the wind stops and then sun is out, the windmill will continue to produce renewable energy by using the solar panel and motor that will spin the windmill.