Wind turbines harness the kinetic energy of the wind and turn it into electricity. They are often called wind farms and are found both on land or offshore. The power generated can be used for local applications or exported back to the National Grid.
Almost all things in life require energy to work and that’s the same for our electricity – we need to pump water, grind grains, charge batteries and make electric cars. Using renewable, clean energy like wind is a great way to go.
A wind turbine generates electricity by spinning a rotor that is made of blades, much like the wings on an aeroplane. The rotor blades form a pocket of low pressure air, which then draws the wind’s energy across the blade, forcing the rotor to rotate.
The spinning of the blades creates a torque and the rotational motion turns a shaft in the box-like structure on top of the turbine called a nacelle, which spins a generator to produce electricity. The kinetic energy of the rotor’s spin is then converted into electricity by a transformer and fed to the National Grid.
There are many different kinds of wind turbines, from small ones used for a farm building to large turbines to supply the electricity demands of industries. The larger turbines can reach heights of up to 400 feet into the sky and have extra long blades that help them move better in strong winds, CWET tells us.
They can be a great addition to any home, supplying electricity in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. However, before deciding to install one you must consider where it’s likely to be installed and whether the impact will have any negative effect on your neighbours or the wildlife in the area.
The most important consideration is the wind speed, as this will determine how much electricity a turbine can produce. The more wind, the more power a turbine can produce, so it’s best to find an area with a steady flow of wind all year round.
When the turbine is turned on, the blades will start to spin quickly as the airflow over them increases. They will then slow down and stop spinning, before beginning again as the wind blows harder.
Depending on the type of turbine, the amount of energy it can produce can vary widely from day to day. This can be because the wind speed changes throughout the year, but also because of other factors such as the angle of the blades and how much debris or ice there is on the turbine blades.
In the UK, there are two main types of turbines, those that use a vertical axis and those that use a horizontal axis. The vertical axis turbines are a lot lighter, easier to install and are often preferred for roof top arrays.
There are a number of advantages to having a wind turbine on your property, including that it is a great way to contribute to your local electricity grid, it can be a good source of income through the Feed in Tariffs and it will also help you meet your renewables obligations.