Uses of Wind Energy
Inherently, everything in this Universe is a form of energy. Even the moving wind has sufficient kinetic energy that can be channelized to run a generator. The phenomena of energy conservation governs the working of the Universe. Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed but it can be transferred from one body to the other - this is the key to all processes in this world. Winds are generated when our atmosphere is heated unevenly and lighter air rises to be replaced by other patches of air (that's why it is a type of solar power!). This gives us the feeling of moving wind! Uses of wind energy in this age of advanced technology are specifically focused on generating electricity. Mostly, it is the city outskirts, ranches and coastal areas that are using energy of the wind for primary purposes like irrigation and electricity generation.
Wind Energy Uses: Brief History
The earliest account of uses of wind energy is cited in the Chinese, Babylonians, Persian and Middle East civilizations. Wind energy propelled boats or sailboats were used as means of transport while windmills in China pumped waters for farms and ranches. Extensive use of wind energy became popular in European countries and the Dutch started using windmills for irrigation and production of electricity in the late 19th century. In the US, wind power was harnessed in the ranches, farms and far flung areas to meet energy requirements, grind cereals and pump water. As increase in electricity supplies became popular in the US in the 20th century, wind mills disappeared from the scene. The past couple of decades have seen a tremendous rise in the number of windmills all across the US, owing to the concerns of the global warming. Now wind energy is an economical alternative energy source in most of the countries. It is said that the US is attempting to meet 30% of its electricity requirements through wind energy by the end of 2030.
Most Common Wind Energy Use in This Era: Electricity Production
Understanding the simple use of wind energy is interesting. Electricity production is said to be one of the biggest uses of windmills. In this technology dominated era, traditional windmills have been replaced by specially designed wind turbines to enhance the productivity of electricity generation. The blades of wind turbine capture the wind speed, thereby capturing its kinetic energy. The movement of these blades sets the shafts connected to them in motion, leading to power in a generator that produces electricity. A typical wind turbine consists of blades, shafts, gears, generators and cable. Here's a step by step procedure on how wind power works to produce electricity.
Wind blades are installed on top of the towers. The wind blows the blades and makes them spin.
Low-speed drive shafts are connected to the wind turbine blades. These low speed shafts are connected to the gearbox that increases the speed of wind blades by making them spin faster.
The spinning motion of wind blades results due to the presence of high speed wind shaft in the gearbox that are further connected to the generator. The turning of shaft inside the generator leads to electricity production.
The produced electricity is made available to people through transmission lines and cable.
The electricity produced by a wind turbine is dependent on the size of the wind turbine. Small ones provide electricity for one home while very big turbines can help to produce electricity for nearly 500 to 1,000 homes. In many coastal areas, where wind flow is common in most of the seasons, wind plants (clusters of wind turbines) are established to provide electricity to villages and communities. Read the Buzzle article on how is wind energy produced to understand the concept of wind production in depth.
Inherently, everything in this Universe is a form of energy. Even the moving wind has sufficient kinetic energy that can be channelized to run a generator. The phenomena of energy conservation governs the working of the Universe. Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed but it can be transferred from one body to the other - this is the key to all processes in this world. Winds are generated when our atmosphere is heated unevenly and lighter air rises to be replaced by other patches of air (that's why it is a type of solar power!). This gives us the feeling of moving wind! Uses of wind energy in this age of advanced technology are specifically focused on generating electricity. Mostly, it is the city outskirts, ranches and coastal areas that are using energy of the wind for primary purposes like irrigation and electricity generation.
Wind Energy Uses: Brief History
The earliest account of uses of wind energy is cited in the Chinese, Babylonians, Persian and Middle East civilizations. Wind energy propelled boats or sailboats were used as means of transport while windmills in China pumped waters for farms and ranches. Extensive use of wind energy became popular in European countries and the Dutch started using windmills for irrigation and production of electricity in the late 19th century. In the US, wind power was harnessed in the ranches, farms and far flung areas to meet energy requirements, grind cereals and pump water. As increase in electricity supplies became popular in the US in the 20th century, wind mills disappeared from the scene. The past couple of decades have seen a tremendous rise in the number of windmills all across the US, owing to the concerns of the global warming. Now wind energy is an economical alternative energy source in most of the countries. It is said that the US is attempting to meet 30% of its electricity requirements through wind energy by the end of 2030.
Most Common Wind Energy Use in This Era: Electricity Production
Understanding the simple use of wind energy is interesting. Electricity production is said to be one of the biggest uses of windmills. In this technology dominated era, traditional windmills have been replaced by specially designed wind turbines to enhance the productivity of electricity generation. The blades of wind turbine capture the wind speed, thereby capturing its kinetic energy. The movement of these blades sets the shafts connected to them in motion, leading to power in a generator that produces electricity. A typical wind turbine consists of blades, shafts, gears, generators and cable. Here's a step by step procedure on how wind power works to produce electricity.
Wind blades are installed on top of the towers. The wind blows the blades and makes them spin.
Low-speed drive shafts are connected to the wind turbine blades. These low speed shafts are connected to the gearbox that increases the speed of wind blades by making them spin faster.
The spinning motion of wind blades results due to the presence of high speed wind shaft in the gearbox that are further connected to the generator. The turning of shaft inside the generator leads to electricity production.
The produced electricity is made available to people through transmission lines and cable.
The electricity produced by a wind turbine is dependent on the size of the wind turbine. Small ones provide electricity for one home while very big turbines can help to produce electricity for nearly 500 to 1,000 homes. In many coastal areas, where wind flow is common in most of the seasons, wind plants (clusters of wind turbines) are established to provide electricity to villages and communities. Read the Buzzle article on how is wind energy produced to understand the concept of wind production in depth.
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