Molly Ayala
Wind energy is a form of solar energy that has been used to power machines for over a millennium. Today, wind turbines capture the kinetic energy of the earth's natural airflows to generate electricity. There are several types of wind electricity, including distributed wind energy, utility-scale wind, and hybrid renewable energy systems. Distributed wind energy is typically used to meet local energy needs, while utility-scale wind refers to large turbines that generate electricity for major electrical grids. Hybrid power plants combine wind energy with other sources, such as solar power and energy storage devices, to enhance efficiency and output. Offshore wind turbines are another type of wind electricity, which are often massive structures taller than the Statue of Liberty, capturing powerful ocean winds to generate vast amounts of energy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of wind turbine | Horizontal-axis wind turbines, Vertical-axis wind turbines |
| Type of wind energy | Utility-scale wind, Distributed wind energy, Onsite wind energy, Hybrid power plants |
| Size | Small wind turbines (5-100 kilowatts), Large wind turbines (over 100 kilowatts) |
| Location | Onshore wind turbines, Offshore wind turbines, Floating offshore wind turbines |
| Use | Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural, Community |
| Advantages | No fuel costs, Stable prices, Environmentally friendly, Energy security |
| Disadvantages | High capital costs, Variable output, Visual impact, Wildlife and environmental impact |
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What You'll Learn
Horizontal-axis wind turbines
The size of wind turbines varies widely, from small turbines powering a single home to large turbines in wind farms. The length of the blades is the biggest factor in determining the amount of electricity a wind turbine can generate. Taller turbines with longer blades generate more electricity. Small wind turbines may have an electric-generating capacity of 10 kilowatts (kW), while the largest operating wind turbines have a capacity of about 15,000 kW (15 megawatts). Larger turbines are currently in development.
Wind turbines can be used to provide electricity to electric-power grids. They can also be used for distributed wind energy, also called onsite wind energy, where they are installed locally to meet nearby energy needs. Distributed wind energy installations are typically used by communities, companies, utilities, or homeowners to power their specific needs.
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Vertical-axis wind turbines
There are two main types of VAWTs: Savonius Wind Turbines and Darrieus Wind Turbines. The Savonius wind turbine (SWT) is a drag-type VAWT with a simple and robust design. It features a rotating shaft with two or three scoops that catch the wind and is typically used when reliability is more important than efficiency. The Darrieus wind turbine, on the other hand, comes in various forms, including helix-shaped, disc-like, and the H-rotor with straight blades. These turbines have three slim rotor blades driven by lift forces, enabling them to achieve high speeds.
Some of the early designs of VAWTs, including the Savonius, Darrieus, and giromill, faced challenges such as significant torque ripple and large bending moments on the blades. However, later designs, such as the Gorlov type, addressed the torque ripple issue by sweeping the blades helically. While VAWTs have proven less reliable than horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs), modern designs have overcome many of the initial problems.
VAWTs are available in a range of sizes and shapes, from small-scale home kits to larger-scale wind turbines. They can be purchased from various vendors and are marketed as ultra-quiet, affordable, and aesthetically pleasing. Despite their advantages, VAWTs are not widely used today, as they do not perform as efficiently as horizontal-axis turbines.
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Onshore wind turbines
Onshore wind farms have small footprints, typically using no more than 1% of the land they sit on, so grazing, farming, recreation, or conservation can happen simultaneously with power generation. Onshore wind farms can be built within a year, quickly producing energy and a return on investment. In 2018, global cumulative installed onshore wind capacity was 539.6 GW, dominated by China (35%), followed by the US (17%), Germany (10%), India (6%), and Spain (4%).
The wind industry is marked by a proliferation of turbines, dropping costs, and heightened performance. In many locales, wind is either competitive with or less expensive than coal-generated electricity. Onshore wind turbines are also less expensive than offshore wind turbines, as offshore wind turbines require more infrastructure and are more difficult to access.
The actual amount of electric power that wind can generate is calculated by multiplying the nameplate capacity by the capacity factor, which varies according to equipment and location. Taller turbines with longer blades generate more electricity. Wind turbines are often grouped together to create wind farms that provide electricity to electric power grids.
The variable nature of wind means that there are times when turbines are not turning. Investment in 24/7 renewables such as geothermal, energy storage, transmission infrastructure, and distributed generation is essential to the growth of wind energy.
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Offshore wind turbines
Offshore wind farms have the potential to produce large amounts of renewable energy, contributing to the regional or national electricity grid. The wind blows more consistently at sea, and the turbines are designed to generate power even from light breezes. This makes offshore wind a reliable source of energy, and in the rare case that there isn't enough wind, other sources of power can compensate.
Offshore wind farms have economic benefits for the local communities in which they are built, creating jobs for turbine technicians and other workers. At the end of their lifespan, wind farms can be decommissioned, life-extended, or repowered. Up to 95% of a wind turbine can be recycled, although the lightweight blades are more challenging to recycle.
Offshore wind is an emissions-free alternative to fossil fuel-based energy generation, providing a green energy source that can reduce costs for consumers. While there are some one-off emissions during the manufacturing and installation of offshore wind turbines, over its lifetime, an offshore wind farm emits 99% less carbon dioxide than coal-based power stations for the same amount of power produced.
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Distributed wind energy
Distributed wind technologies can supply rural homes, businesses, and communities with locally produced energy, providing cost savings and resilience. For instance, small wind turbines can be used in residential settings to directly offset electricity usage using net metering, where power that is not used by the home is credited to the customer as it flows back to the electricity system. Wind turbines used near homes are commonly in the 1- to 10-kW range but can be larger. They can be used to partially offset load or support a completely off-grid home.
The Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) is advancing wind energy technology as an accessible, affordable distributed energy resource option for consumers. WETO's distributed wind research program focuses on six primary areas to achieve this goal. WETO also approaches distributed wind analysis and modelling holistically, looking at transformative solutions for the entire industry.
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