BEEME 2 Wind

UNIT – 3

Utilization of Electrical Power

WIND ENERGY

Advantages

1.    It has huge potential

2.    Wind energy has low running costs.

3.    Wind technology is becoming cheap

4.    It provides power to remote locations.

Disadvantages

1.    The wind fluctuates.

2.    Wind turbines create noise pollutions.

3.    Safety concerns are required.

4.    Wind turbines are expensive.

Applications

1.    Generation of Electricity – Windmills harness wind energy to create electricity. It is a clean & green form of energy.

2.    Pumping water – Similar to windmills the energy from the wind is used to drive a pump.

3.    Milling Grain – Grain milling is certain locations are done using wind energy.

4.    Transportation – The power of wind is used for propulsion in sailing boats.

5.    Wind energy based Sports – like parasailing, hang gliding, air ballooning

Horizontal axis wind turbine [HAWT]

Advantages

1.    It has variable balde pitch.

2.    It has optimum angle of attack.

3.    It has high efficiency.

4.    It has tall tower to access stronger winds.

Disadvantage:

1.    It is more difficult to transport and install.

2.    It needs stronger tower construction.

3.    it needs additional yaw control mechanism.

4.    It needs high installation and equipmental costs.

Vertical axis wind turbine [VAWT]

Advantages:

1.    it accepts winds from any directions.

2.    All the components are placed at the ground level itself.

3.    It is easy to service and lighter towers.

4.    It has low maintenance costs.

Disadvantages:

1.    At ground level, there is very poor wind power.

2.    It has poor self-starting capabilities.

3.    It requires support at the top of turbine rotor.

4.    The entire rotor has to be removed to replace bearings.