An Explanation of Wind Turbine Technology
Wind turbine technology dates back many centuries, but 21st century wind engineering is becoming more accessible to residential consumers. The following article explains a few basics of wind turbines and includes wind system considerations for homeowners. Wind energy will be a significant component of going green as we move forward in reducing our carbon footprint.
Three aspects of a wind turbines’ design affect its efficiency as the chief component of the small wind system—thrust, power, and torque. This explanation does not provide a crash course on aerodynamics, but a wind turbine responds to the low pressure created by the wind current passing around the propeller of the wind turbine. You can find more information on the aerodynamics of wind turbines at WindPower.org.
The small wind system works as an integration of mechanical parts. As the wind blows, the linear motion of the wind turns the blades of the turbine. The blades turn the rotor, producing rotational energy. The blade and rotor are attached to a box called a nacelle. Inside this box, the rotational energy of the rotor operates the gears of the generator. As a simple motor, the generator converts rotational energy to electrical energy. The electric current then travels down the power cable housed inside the wind shaft (or the pole of the wind tower) to the electrical connection at the bottom. The base of the wind tower connects directly to the local power grid through you’re circuit box and meter.
Factors affecting the performance of a wind turbine
The properties of thrust, power, and torque combine to make the wind turbine generator efficient enough to sustain the residential household.
1. Thrust - This term describes the force that the rotor creates, and this factor impacts how the wind tower is designed.
2. Power - This term refers to how much power is generated by the wind turbines’ rotor. The amount of power the rotor can generate necessitates how big the gear box must be, and the gear box must be paired with the appropriate generator.
3. Torque - This term refers to the tendency of a physical force to turn an object around a central point, such as an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. In wind technology, torque describes the twisting motion of the rotor powered by the wind passing through the propeller blades.
To understand more about thrust, power, and torque, consumers can read more about how wind speed variability factors into wind turbine technology.
Vendors of wind turbine systems provide statistics about the performance expected from each wind system. A homeowner considers factors such as how much space is available on the property, how much energy is needed to meet household needs, and how many kilowatts of power can be expected for a particular model based on average wind speeds.
According to the U.S. National Center for Appropriate Technology www.ncat.org, a homeowner would need one acre or less to erect a wind turbine system. “Given that approximately 21 million U.S. homes are built on one-acre and larger sites, and 24 percent of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, wind power is a real possibility for many Americans.”
If a homeowner does not have an acre of land, the roof wind turbine system might still be an option. In the 21st century, homeowners can choose between the horizontal-axis wind turbine and the vertical-axis wind turbine. Another choice involves whether the unit will be mounted on a wind tower in the backyard or a small unit will be mounted on the roof. As a potential wind system buyer, you can request a free wind consultation to determine if your wind equipment supplier has the right system to work with local wind speeds.
