Generation of Electricity from Wind
Electricity can be produced from wind energy via a wind turbine generator (WTG).The wind turbine is a wind energy system that transfers kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy and then electrical energy. The mechanical energy produced is used on a small scale in the operation of wind mills, while the electrical energy is used on a larger scale for turbines. Wind turbines may be vertical or horizontal.
A wind turbine consists of the following essential parts that assist in the generation of electricity:
· Rotor/blades-conversion of energy into rotational shaft energy.
· Nacelle-includes the drive train that contains a generator and gearbox, though not all wind turbines use a gearbox.
· Tower- that supports the rotor and drive train
· Electronic equipment such as controls and cables that assist in the overall production of wind energy.
Parts of a Wind Turbine
The rotor blades rotate around the horizontal hub. The hub is connected to the gearbox and generator within the nacelle, where all the electrical components of the turbine are located. The majority of the wind turbines around the world consist of three blades facing the wind. The wind turns the blades around and this spins the shaft. The shaft is further connected to the generator where electricity is produced.
Nacelle Drive Train
When the wind hits the rotor some of the wind energy is converted into blade rotation, after which the wind speed drops behind the rotor. The wind turbine transforms this rotation into electrical energy.
Aerodynamics
Source: Wigton Wind Farm Limited, Jamaica
Category/ies:Wind Tech.
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