Friday, April 20, 2012

Generating Future Energy With Wind Turbines

By Jake Zertosky

Wind turbines are quickly becoming the energy source of the future. By using the power of wind, these machines promise clean energy sources by using sustainable products. The wind will always be sustainable; it will always be available! These machines rotate and use what is known as 'kinetic' energy from the wind. The energy is converted into 'mechanical' energy. The energy produced from wind turbines is easily transformed into electricity. Sometimes wind turbines are known as 'wind' generators, 'wind' energy converters or 'wind' power machines.

Two types of turbines exist today:Wind turbines which rotate with main machinery (electrical generator unit and rotor shaft) on the top of a tower are called: horizontal axis turbines. These turbines need to be faced towards a strong, forceful wind in order to have their energy output maximized. Typically if the wind turbine is small, only one vane powers the unit.

Horizontal axis or vertical axis wind turbines are available:If the wind turbines' components rotate on the upper portion of a tower with a rotor shaft and an electrical generator, these are horizontal axis. Horizontal axis turbines need to be faced towards the wind. If the turbines are smaller, they will customarily have only one wind 'vane'. Larger units have wind 'sensors' and what are called 'servo motors'. Any horizontal axis turbine has a gearbox. These gear boxes make the blades' rotation faster. A better energy source for the electrical generator will result.

When the force of the wind is at the back of a tower, it will use the turbulence. When this occurs, the turbines are faced up wind of the tower. So that the turbine blades won't break the tower from gale forces, the blades are build in a rigid manner. Often they are placed at a greater distance facing the front of the tower and have degrees' tilt into the wind.

Sometimes 'down' wind machines have been constructed despite any turbulence. These machines don't need more part to be sure that they are aligned with the source of the winds. In spite of the turbulence problem, 'downwind' machinery has been built. This machinery doesn't require more mechanisms for ensuring that they remain in line with the wind. Often blades will bend in high winds; this will reduce their ability to catch the power of the wind. A turbine can break with too much resistance.

Turbines that have their rotor shafts arranged in a vertical fashion are often called 'vertical wind turbines'. The vertical turbines don't have to be directed towards the wind to allow for large amounts of usable energy. Often, the wind directions will change so these wind turbines are perfect.

Often, with vertical turbines, the components are supported closer to the ground. The gearbox and the generator seem to work best in this configuration. It isn't imperative that the turbine is propped up by the tower for the turbine. Fixing and maintaining this machinery is easy. Some negative points are that pulsing movements can come about with these components.

To put these types of wind turbines on towers is difficult. It is best that vertical axis machinery is put closer to the ground and mounted nearer the base. The best locations would be a structure's roof top or on a ground level. If you maintain these turbines well as guard against turbulence, your wind turbine will reward you with years of energy savings!Not to mention the benefit of supply environmentally friendly energy.

About the Author:

No comments: