Homebuilt Wind Turbine Explained

 

 

 

 

How a Wind Turbine Works

The suns irregular heating of the atmosphere in combination with rotation of our planet and the inconsistencies of the earth’s surface is what causes the wind. Basically making it a form of solar energy. The wind plays an important role because we utilize it in many ways, e.g when we sail, generate electricity etc.

Wind power describe the procedure by which the wind is converted into electricity or mechanical power. This power can be used for several different tasks such as pumping water or be converted into electricity by a generator.

A wind turbine works the opposite of a fan, rather than consuming electricity to create wind a turbine consumes wind to create electricity. The blades of the turbine are turned by the kinetic energy of the wind and the power is transferred via a shaft to a generator that makes the electricity. The electricity is sent through transmission and distribution lines to a substation then on to homes, business and schools. Take a look at the picture below for a more detailed view.

Anemometer:

Determines speed of the wind and communicates the data to the controller.

Blades:

These are rotated by the wind and that power is transferred furhter into the system.

Brake:

Can be used to stop the rotor in case of emergency.

Controller:

Ensures that the turbine operates under certain conditions only. It starts the machine at speeds of about 8 - 16 miles per hour and shuts it down at approximately 55 miles per hour. Otherwise the machine could get damaged.

Gear box:

The gear box connects the low-speed shaft to the high-speed shaft and increase rotaions per minute from about 30 to 60 rpm to about 1000 to 1800 rpm. The latter is the speed required by most generators to produce electricity.

Generator:

The wind turbine generator converts mechanical energy to electrical energy.

High-speed shaft:

The generator is driven by this.

Low-speed shaft:

Is turned by the rotor and turns the high-speed shaft.

Nacelle:

The container of the more sensitive parts of the turbine. See picture above.

Pitch:

Controls speed of the rotor.

Rotor:

The rotor is comprised of the blades and hub together.

Tower:

The tower is the stand that brings the turbine up in the air. It can be made out of steel or concrete.

Wind vane:

It measures the direction of the wind and transfers that data to the yaw drive.

Yaw drive:

Keeps the rotor facing into the wind.

Yaw motor:

Powers the yaw drive.

Vertical Axis Wind Turbine