Uses Of Wind Turbines

Wind Energy (Photo credit: janie.hernandez55)

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Wind is a powerful source of energy that has been harnessed for different uses for centuries. More and more scientists and researchers feel that wind can be used effectively as a renewable energy source and this can be done only when power within the moving air can be harnessed properly.

The Wind Energy Industry has grown rapidly since the 1990’s and is considered as one of the fastest growing sectors in the power generation industry. Some of the European countries have even installed wind turbines that have been in operation for almost 20 years now and this entire operation has been extremely successful as well. Using wind turbines to harness wind power to create energy have brought down the production costs and are viable option for the coal fired power stations.

DIY Wind Power - A Pro And A Con

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The PRO: Supply and Maintenance

The good thing about DIY wind power is that it has very marginal cost. The fuel consumption is tolerable and the maintenance cost is also ideal. According to scientists, the energy that we can harness from the atmosphere is a lot greater than what the world can consume. Accordingly, the wind power available is five times more than the world consumption. However, there has to be a practical limit as to the amount to be used. For now, studies are being done how it will impact the atmosphere if we harness it in global scale.

Homemade Wind Generators and the Benefits of Switching to Wind Power

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The advantage of a homemade wind generator is multi-fold. Though on one hand, it reduces the dependence on traditional methods of generating power and reduces our monthly bills on the other we can do our part in saving the environment, since it is one of the cleanest and endless sources of power today. Basically, a homemade wind generators consists of DC motor, blades, a hub and a tower. The best part is that if you want to switch to wind power and start living off grid then you don't have to spend thousands of dollars on a brand-new commercial wind turbine when you can simply build your own in your own backyard for no more than $200.

The most important part of a wind turbine is the tower. The higher its tower the more amount of energy that is being generated. After all, the height of the tower is constrained by the cost and the look. Thus a higher and more aesthetic tower will cost you slightly more than a shorter tower. Another thing to keep in mind is that the system will not work efficiently if it is not connected to the ground properly. This is mainly because, if it is flexible, its height can be altered to suit the wind patterns of the day. In case of extremely bad weather or lightning, it can be removed and kept safely to avoid damage.

Harnessing Wind Power

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Most of us have heard the expression "you can't see the trees for the forest". This concept is also applicable to many other situations; the tornado that leveled the whole town of Greensburg, Kansas or hurricane Katrina that completely flooded New Orleans and many surrounding areas. Hugh schooners heavily weighed down with cargo have also been power by the wind. These are just a few examples of the unseen, unyielding power of the wind. And yet, it is difficult to envision the harnessing of this great wind power to be used as a clean, renewable source of energy.

The wind is an element of nature and is free for the taking. Harnessing wind power does not produce any greenhouse gases or other waste products. Wind turbines, also called windmills, are capable of harnessing wind power and then transforming the kinetic energy of the wind into a usable form of mechanical energy.

Renewable Energy - How Does Wind Power Work?

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Picture: sbc-technologies.com

When we talk about renewable energy, normally we will relate it to the power from sun, or better known as solar power. But, other than the sun, wind is another source to generate renewable energy. Let's explore how does wind power work in generating energy that can be used to replace the non-renewable fossil-fuel energy.

Back to the basic, the wind power is actually a form of solar power because the wind is generated due to the heating effect from the sun. When the sun heats the earth's surfaces at different speed on sand, water, stone and various types of soil, these surfaces absorb and release heat at different rates, creating different temperatures. At a certain temperature, the hotter air begins to rise from the surfaces very quickly because it is lighten than the equal volume of cool air. As the results, the hot air rises and reduces the atmospheric pressure near the earth's surface, which draws cool air to fill the gap the hot air leaves behind. This action causes air movement or is known as Wind.