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The use of wind turbines can be a great way to provide a source of clean and renewable energy for your home or business. There are a number of small wind energy devices that you can use to generate power, and most of these are very cost effective in providing a substantial level of electricity. Power of such unit can start as low as 200 w up to tenth of megawatts. A typical wind turbine layout would include:
1 The wind turbine:
The turbine is mainly made of large blades that under the action of he wind will turn a gearbox. This gearbox will convert the low blade rotating speed into an equivalent high speed needed to operate the generator. This generator will in turn supply electrical power to the batteries via the controller.
2 The tower:
Depending of the size of the turbine and the wind characteristics, a tower on which the turbine will be installed might be needed. Usually, the higher the tower, the higher the wind speeds.
3 The controller:
The main role of these controllers is to maintain the batteries at the proper charge rate, and to avoid any risks of overcharging.
4 The batteries banks:
The battery bank contains one or more batteries, connected in series and/or parallel depending on the voltage and current capacity needed. The batteries store the power produced by the wind turbine and discharge it when you need it.
5 The inverter:
An inverter is required when you want to power AC devices. The inverter converts the DC power from the solar array/batteries, into AC power.
The advantages and benefits include the following:
Environmentally Safe: Wind power systems are environmentally safe. There are no gaseous emissions, no particulates, and no radioactive by-products.
Easy and Rapid increase of Capacity: Wind power systems can be installed quickly, thus reducing financing costs and providing flexibility in meeting demand growth.
Wide Range of Capacities: Wind power systems can range in size from very small systems suitable for single houses to power plants of utility scale.
Cost of Land: The wind turbine and towers, service roads, and electrical equipment typically occupy only 10 percent of the land on which the wind power plant is installed. Previous uses, typically agricultural, can continue with little useful area removed.
Economically Competitive: The cost of energy from wind power plants is competitive with conventional energy generation sources. Large-scale systems now being installed deliver energy at costs in the range 7 to 9c/kWh. Under comparable wind resource conditions, third-generation wind turbines (under design now) are expected to deliver energy at costs in the range of 4 to 6c/kWh. In Lebanon, the cost of electricity is 10 to 15 c/kWh.
As with most technologies, the advantages of wind power systems must be weighed against the disadvantages and limitations.
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