Wind Power
Wind power is taking the energy generated from the wind and using it in more productive ways. Wind turbines are a machine that can transform the kinetic energy found in wind and convert it into mechanical energy. Mechanical energy works with kinetic energy to balance into the mechanical system. When the mechanical energy is converted into electricity it can be called a wind turbine.
There are two different types of wind turbines; Horizontal axis and Vertical axis. The most common of these two are the horizontal axis. Horizontal axis features the main rotor shaft and generator at the top of the turbine. The horizontal axis is pointed into the wind. Most of these horizontal axis have a gearbox that allows the blades to turn quicker to generate more electricity. The tower is what provides turbulence. The turbine can be pointed somewhat upward and stand well above the blades. The blades are made of durable material capable of withstanding high winds.
When you see these turbines in the field you may think that they are no longer helpful but there are several people who believe in using them still. Horizontal axis wind turbines can either turn upward or downward. If they choose to turn the blades upward, they don’t hold good together for longer periods of time. They begin to crack and breakdown in high winds. When the blades are downward facing they stay in line with the wind longer and they can outlast through the high winds without breaking. Because they are so durable it keeps the cost down as well.
Types of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines
Windmills Consists of four or more blades, usually short, and can wooden blades. These were used to grind grain. As the winds picked up it would rotate a mechanism inside allowing it to run the grain through a mill crushing it.
Rural Windmills was originally from Australia but later moved over to the USA. Farmers found that this type of windmill was good to pump water and electricity to the barns and fields. This windmill had several blades and can still be seen today in fields. They were constructed of metal usually in order to carry electricity for lights or maybe a radio.
Modern Turbines are what we have now standing in fields. They feature three blades that are pointed at the ends. The reason for their unusual shape is because they have been proven to exceed wind velocity up to 6 times more, allowing for high efficiency and reliability.
The advantages of this type of wind turbine include stability, tallness, bendable, durable and strong. The disadvantages my include cannot operate well close to the ground, hard to transport over sea, difficult to install, not in big demand, there are concerns with how they affect radar, structural damage done with storms and wear.
There are good points and bad points to owning these types of turbines. They have been proven to work and you can have one or thirty one out in your field. They do help to generate electricity and other great things that we would normally have to go without.