How it works:
Starting operating at a speed of 4 - 5 metres per second, they can reach a maxium power of 15 metres per second.
As well as big ones in the middle of fields, you can have small ones that go on your roof, like satellite dishes. They harness the power of the wind and use it to generate electricity. 40% of all wind energy in Europe blows over the the UK making it an ideal country for domestic turbines aka. mircowinds or small winds.
1. The wind turns the blades
2. Blades turns a shaft inside the box
3. The shaft goes into a gearbox which increases the rotation speed
4. The generator converts the rational energy into electrical energy
5. The transformer converts the electricity from around 700volts (V) to the voltage typically 33000v
6. The national grid transmits the power around the country
You will need:
3 x rotor blades (made of fibreglass 30 - 80 metres in diameter, the longer the blade the greater the energy output)
1 x gear box (most have these, although there are more being made with direct drives)
1 x yaw mechanism (turns the turbine to face the wind)
1 x wind speed direction monitor (stops it if the wind gets too strong)
1 x cylindrical tower (made of steel and painted a light grey)
Starting operating at a speed of 4 - 5 metres per second, they can reach a maxium power of 15 metres per second.
As well as big ones in the middle of fields, you can have small ones that go on your roof, like satellite dishes. They harness the power of the wind and use it to generate electricity. 40% of all wind energy in Europe blows over the the UK making it an ideal country for domestic turbines aka. mircowinds or small winds.
1. The wind turns the blades
2. Blades turns a shaft inside the box
3. The shaft goes into a gearbox which increases the rotation speed
4. The generator converts the rational energy into electrical energy
5. The transformer converts the electricity from around 700volts (V) to the voltage typically 33000v
6. The national grid transmits the power around the country
You will need:
3 x rotor blades (made of fibreglass 30 - 80 metres in diameter, the longer the blade the greater the energy output)
1 x gear box (most have these, although there are more being made with direct drives)
1 x yaw mechanism (turns the turbine to face the wind)
1 x wind speed direction monitor (stops it if the wind gets too strong)
1 x cylindrical tower (made of steel and painted a light grey)
Benefits:
- Cuts electricity bills - wind is free, once the initial installation is pad for, the electricity costs will be reduced
- Cuts your carbon footprints - wind electricity is green, renewable energy and does not release any carbon dioxide or other pollutants
- Store electricity in batteries for when there is no wind
Maintenance:
Every few years it will cost £100 - £200 depending on the turbine size. It can last for more than 20 years but parts need to be replaced throughout, through wear and tear or damage. The price for this can also range from £100 - £2000. Also the batteries need to be replaced every 6 - 10 years, cost depending on design and scale.
Pros:
- Green energy - no pollution
- 20 times more wind power than what we actually need (potentially)
- Renewable (no way we can run out)
- Space efficient
- Prices have been decreasing since 1998 for the installation fees and maintenance costs
- Protects the home owners from power cuts
Cons:
- Fluctuation wind, not suited to meet demand, unless stored first
- Requires up front investment both commercially and residential
- Can be threat to wildlife (birds, bats)
- Noise pollution
- How they look - to some people this is a legitimate concern as they want to preserve the landscape
At first the manufacturing, transporting and installation of the turbin contributes to global warming slightly but the electricity production is 0% and so I feel it out ways this indefinitely.
Conclusion:
I personally believe that the pros weigh out the cons, over and over. I feel that the benefits of having wind turbines will be a positive thing,
It angers me a lot that people who do not like them, or are against them because of the way they look on their landscape, is ridiculous. These people are not thinking about the future of our planet. I feel that unless it benefits them directly, straight away that they are not interesting. They claim that it is because they want to preserve the landscape, but what about the electricity lines and towers that are scattered across the country everywhere. No one seems to be bothered about the way they look or break up the view over the crops. I believe that this is expected because without the power lines they wouldn't have their TV or heating or what ever else.
It is annoying that power can be so cosmetic, that something that could help prolong the life of this planet - is stopped because of how it would make the landscape look. Just because it won't necessarily happen in their life time - they are not interested in saving some one else's future.
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generating-energy/Choosing-a-renewable-technology/Wind-turbines
http://www.evancewind.com/
http://energy.gov/eere/wind/how-do-wind-turbines-work
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