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.
Main WTG
parts, Vestas 2004
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.
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.
