Since the use of non-renewable energy sources creates many environmental problems, there are attempts to replace them with truly competitive alternatives. Some are new, others, such as wind energy, not so new, but almost all of them are renewable. Mankind has been using wind energy for many centuries thanks to windmills, although an improved version of these devices is currently used in the so-called wind turbines, which we will discuss shortly.
Are you curious to know what wind energy is and how it is used? We tell you everything in this short article from Green Ecology on how we can use wind energy .
What is wind energy?
We begin by explaining what wind energy is . Wind energy is that which is obtained thanks to the wind or, in other words, it is the use or exploitation of the kinetic energy that air masses have and that can be transformed with the appropriate methods into mechanical energy and then into electricity or any other useful form of energy intended for certain human activities.
How do we harness the wind? To harness wind energy properly, it is essential to know about the seasonal, nocturnal and diurnal variations that winds can have. It is also important to know how wind speed varies with height and the maximum values that can be reached.
Here you can learn more about What is wind energy, how it works and examples .
How wind energy is generated
Wind energy is generated by using wind turbines or wind machines that can transform the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy that is then used to obtain electrical energy . To do this, we need an electric generator known as a wind turbine. The operating mechanism is as follows:
- The kinetic energy of the wind moves the blades of the wind turbine.
- Next, the rotor or wind turbine, which consists of the blades and the shaft to which they are attached, begins to rotate and drives a generator (usually an alternator) with the help of a mechanical system.
- By using magnets, the generator ultimately produces electrical energy.
In order for the installation of wind turbines to be truly profitable, they are grouped together in large groups, which we call wind farms . All the electricity produced in this way is evacuated through a power line. This power line ends up at a substation from where it is distributed to each of the end users.
In addition, there is talk of different types of wind energy depending on the different types of wind turbines. The main ones are:
- Horizontal axis wind turbines: these are the most widely used and well-known, their axis of rotation is parallel to the ground.
- Vertical axis wind turbines: also known as VAWT and their axis of rotation is perpendicular to the ground.
- Bladeless wind turbines: these can eliminate the impacts caused by conventional wind turbines and are also more economical.
- Offshore wind turbines: these are located at sea, near the coast. Here, wind energy is more stable and powerful, although their maintenance is more expensive.
- Mini and micro wind turbines: these are instruments that allow us to see how wind energy is used at home. They are placed in a place exposed to the wind, for example, on the roof of our homes. We recommend that you read this other article on Windmills: how to make homemade wind energy .
How to harness wind energy
What is wind energy used for? We are going to answer this question by taking a look at history, because one of the greatest uses of wind energy was its use for centuries with windmills . They were used to grind wheat to obtain flour, they were also used to extract water and they were even used in sawmills and in the production of paper. It was from 1979 when the uses of wind began to change and it began to be used to obtain electrical energy . Therefore, today it is mainly used to obtain electrical energy or electricity and we give it countless uses in our daily lives. We use it to charge batteries, to light urban centers or homes and for heating, etc.
However, its energy production varies greatly due to changes in the wind, except in areas such as Galicia, La Mancha or Tarifa. For this reason, it is still only used as a complement to other traditional sources of energy.
Advantages and disadvantages of wind energy
Finally, we indicate the advantages and disadvantages of wind energy :
Advantages of wind energy
The advantages of wind energy are many compared to other energy sources. Let’s look at some of them:
- It is a clean and safe energy. Or to put it another way, it does not emit any type of particles into our atmosphere or greenhouse gases, unlike non-renewable energy sources that use fossil fuels. Wind energy does not pollute and helps us in the fight against climate change. We recommend that you read these other posts about the Importance of clean energies for the environment and What are clean or green energies .
- It is an inexhaustible resource . Because it is a renewable resource, we know that it will never run out and will always be available to us.
- It facilitates energy independence. It is an energy that we can exploit in our own country, thus avoiding having to import it from other countries.
- Competitive prices. The techniques used in mass production of wind turbines and the experience in choosing the best locations, among other things, have allowed it to be an economically competitive source of energy today.
- It can be combined with other activities. Wind farms do not interfere with the development of agricultural or livestock activities. In addition, the space occupied is smaller than in a solar park with photovoltaic panels.
Disadvantages of wind energy
The environmental impact of this type of energy is generally less problematic than the impact generated by other energy sources. However, it is not without its drawbacks. Some drawbacks of wind energy are:
- It has a visual impact on the landscape where it is located.
- Some birds die when they crash into the blades.
- There is an increase in erosion as the nearby soil surface dries out.
- Wind turbines generate noise and electromagnetic interference.
- The wind sometimes has significant variations and is not fast enough to operate the wind turbine.
- It may also happen that the speed is excessive, in which case the protocol is to disconnect them to avoid damage to the structure.
- At the moment, systems large enough to store energy in significant quantities and efficiently have not yet been designed.
If you want to find out more about this topic, here you can learn more about the Advantages and disadvantages of wind energy .
