Q. What is wind energy?
The terms "wind energy" or "wind power" describe the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as grinding grain or pumping water) or a generator can convert this mechanical power into electricity to power homes, businesses, schools, and the like.
Q. How is the energy in the wind captured?
Wind turbines, like aircraft propeller blades, turn in the moving air and power an electric generator that supplies an electric current. Modern wind turbines are horizontal-axis variety, like the traditional farm windmills used for pumping water. Wind turbines are often grouped together into a single wind power plant, also known as a wind farm, and generate bulk electrical power. Electricity from these turbines is fed into a utility grid and distributed to customers just as it is with conventional power plants.
Q.How big are wind turbines?
Wind turbines are available in a variety of sizes, and therefore power ratings. Typical commercial wind facilities are 1.5 MW. The largest machine has blades that span more than the length of a football field, stands 20 building stories high, and produces enough electricity to power 1,400 homes. A small home-sized wind machine has rotors between 8 and 25 feet in diameter, stands upwards of 30 feet, and can supply the power needs of an all-electric home or small business.
Q. What are wind turbines made of?
All electric-generating wind turbines, no matter their size, are comprised of a few basic components: a rotor (the part that actually rotates in the wind), an electrical generator, a speed-control system, and a tower.
Q. How many homes can be powered by a megawatt of wind-generated electricity?
According to the American Wind Energy Association, 1 megawatt (MW) of wind-generated power can supply electricity to approximately 240 to 300 households per year
Q.What are the advantages of wind-generated electricity?
Numerous public opinion surveys have consistently shown that the public prefers wind and other renewable energy forms over conventional sources of generation. Wind energy is a free, renewable resource, so no matter how much is used today, there will still be the same supply in the future. Wind energy is also a source of clean, non-polluting, electricity.
Q.How safe is wind energy?
Wind energy is one of the safest energy technologies. It is a matter of record that no member of the public has ever been injured during the normal operation of a wind turbine, with over 25 years operating experience and with more than 70,000 machines installed around the world.
Q.How much does it cost to make electricity from the wind?
Wind energy is one of the cheapest of the renewable energy technologies. It is competitive with new clean coal fired power stations and cheaper than new nuclear power. The cost of wind energy varies according to many factors. An average for a new onshore wind farm in a good location is 3-4 pence per unit, competitive with new coal (2.5-4.5p) and cheaper than new nuclear (4-7p).
Q.How much electricity does one wind turbine produce?
1.8 MW wind turbine at a reasonable site would produce over 4.7 million units of electricity each year, enough to meet the annual needs of over 1,000 households, or to run a computer for over 1,620 years.
