Windmills or wind turbines have spread more and more, since they are capable of taking advantage of the force of this to produce electricity. We tell you how they do it and what its main virtues are.
The pressure difference in the atmosphere creates air currents, producing what we call wind. This can become very strong and can be used to produce energy.
How? Thanks to windmills or wind turbineswhich have huge blades that the wind is capable of turning, producing energy thanks to that movement.
But we are going to delve into all this a little, for which we need to clarify several concepts that allow us to perfectly understand what is, together with the solar, the source of renewable energy most important that exists today.
Wind turbines transform the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity.
What is wind energy and how is it transformed into electricity?
Wind power is what is obtained from the force of the wind. As we have already advanced, this is possible thanks to the use of wind turbines that transform kinetic energy into electricity.
What is kinetic energy? The one that occurs during movement, in this case of the blades of the wind turbine. The process is the following:
- The weather vane located on the gondola guide the wind turbine in the direction of the wind.
- When turning, the rotor, made up of three blades and a connecting hub, transforms the movement (kinetic energy) into mechanical energy of rotation.
- The multiplier, which is attached to the rotor by a shaft, raise the speed of rotation from 30 rpm to 1500 rpm.
- The generator receives this mechanical energy and the transform into electricity.
- The generator of each windmill is connected by cables to the general system of the wind farm, taking these electricity to a transformer substation.
- This substation allows the electricity produced by the wind turbines to reach electrical network where it will be used by homes, factories, etc.
Large wind turbines intended for large-scale wind power production have 100 meters highalthough their size depends on the strength of the wind in the area in which they are installed, as well as the power generation capacity that you want to have.
Recently, one of the big wind turbine manufacturers presented the largest for land use, with a 172-meter turbine.
How many types of wind energy are there?
In reality, there are not several types of wind energy, although it can be obtained in two different environments that make the production methods change in some aspects:
- onshore wind power: also called onshore, is the electricity produced from wind turbines installed on land.
- offshore wind power: also called offshore, is the electricity produced by wind turbines installed offshore. In this case, the force of the wind is usually greater and more constant, although it is more difficult to build wind farms in a more hostile environment. The structures sit on the seabed to ensure their consolidation.
What advantages does wind energy have?
Like all renewable energy, wind energy has some very obvious advantages that have made it a highly valued option for producing electricity.
- Clean: There is no emission of greenhouse gases or any other polluting particles.
- cheap: the cost of energy production is very low compared to other systems, especially in areas where the wind force is high.
- Inexhaustible: by not depending on fossil fuels or other fuels, it is possible to produce it in an unlimited way. You just need wind.
- Job creation: Like any new technology or activity, it allows the generation of new jobs and alternative professional paths to the traditional ones.
Learn more about wind energy in this video.
Can I produce wind energy at home?
Yes you can. Just as it is possible to have a photovoltaic installation that produces solar energy at home, you can also have your own domestic wind turbine to reduce your energy costs and your carbon footprint.
Currently, there are several companies that are dedicated to marketing and installing wind turbines of a size suitable for single-family homes or other types. Of course, not all places are suitable to take advantage of the potential of a wind turbine and you must take into account the following:
- Geographical area with good wind intensity
- Permit for the installation of wind turbines in your area
- Enough space for installation in your home
How much does a wind turbine cost for a house
Generally, domestic wind turbines have a power between 1 and 10 kW and depending on the electricity you want to generate and the consumption of your home, the installation company will adapt the wind turbine to your needs.
To give you an idea, installing a wind turbine at home can cost on average between 1000 and 3000 euros, depending on the quality and potency of the material. And, as with solar energy, excess energy, if any, can be sold to the electric company.
In general, solar energy is more efficient than wind power, although this depends a lot on the area where you live and where it is possible to install the solar panels or the wind turbine.