12-29-2009, 09:14 AM
Powering the world with its simple usage is the wind energy. The wind energy present in the atmosphere is sufficient to light up the whole world. A study reveals that the potential of wind power on land and near-shore to be 72 terrawatts (TW), which is over five times the world's current energy use in all forms.
Wind energy is tapped through wind mills or wind turbines. When the sun heats up the air above the land, it expands and rises, giving its place to the cooler and heavier air above. This makes the wind to blow and over the airfoil shaped blades of the turbine causing them to turn. The blades are connected to a drive shaft that turns an electric generator to produce electricity. Turbines used in wind farms for commercial production of electric power are usually three-bladed and pointed into the wind by computer-controlled motors. These have tip speeds of up to six times the wind speed, high efficiency, and low torque ripple, which contribute to good reliability. New technologies have decreased the cost of producing electricity from wind 80% since 1980.
Owing to the great advantages of wind energy, wind power investments have increased over the years. Wind energy is one of the cheapest and cleanest renewable energy sources available and it does not produce air pollution.
Wind energy is tapped through wind mills or wind turbines. When the sun heats up the air above the land, it expands and rises, giving its place to the cooler and heavier air above. This makes the wind to blow and over the airfoil shaped blades of the turbine causing them to turn. The blades are connected to a drive shaft that turns an electric generator to produce electricity. Turbines used in wind farms for commercial production of electric power are usually three-bladed and pointed into the wind by computer-controlled motors. These have tip speeds of up to six times the wind speed, high efficiency, and low torque ripple, which contribute to good reliability. New technologies have decreased the cost of producing electricity from wind 80% since 1980.
Owing to the great advantages of wind energy, wind power investments have increased over the years. Wind energy is one of the cheapest and cleanest renewable energy sources available and it does not produce air pollution.