How does a wind turbine work? | Sustainability - ACCIONA

ACCIONA
23 Feb 201602:46

Summary

TLDRWind turbines harness wind energy to generate electricity. They have blades up to 60 meters long, designed to capture kinetic energy from wind. The blades rotate at speeds between 7 and 12 RPM, which is then increased by a gearbox over a hundredfold for the high-speed shaft. This drives a generator that converts the kinetic energy into electricity. The electricity is then stepped up in voltage by transformers for efficient transmission through the power grid to consumers, providing a clean, sustainable energy source.

Takeaways

  • 📝 Wind turbines have a wind vane at the top to indicate wind direction, allowing the turbine to rotate and face the wind.
  • 💵 The turbine blades rotate on their axis for maximum resistance to wind, capturing kinetic energy from moving air currents.
  • 💲 Blades can be up to 60 meters long and are made of lightweight, resistant materials to facilitate movement even with light winds.
  • 💴 Wind turbines start producing energy at wind speeds of about 11 kilometers per hour.
  • 💳 For safety, in very strong winds above 90 kilometers per hour, blades are placed in a feathered position to stop the turbine from spinning.
  • 💵 The blades are attached to the hub, which is coupled to the low-speed shaft that spins at the same speed as the blades (7-12 RPM).
  • 💲 The gearbox increases the turning speed of the low-speed shaft over a hundred times, transferring it to the high-speed shaft.
  • 💵 The high-speed shaft rotates up to 1500 RPM and is connected to a generator that converts kinetic energy into electricity.
  • 💴 The electricity produced is conducted through the tower to the banks where a transformer raises the voltage for transport.
  • 💵 Alternating current from each turbine is sent to the substation through underground cables, where the voltage is increased again for integration into the power grid.
  • 💹 Wind energy is used to power cities, industries, schools, hospitals, and household appliances in a clean and sustainable manner.

Q & A

  • What is the primary function of a wind vane on a wind turbine?

    -The wind vane at the top of a wind turbine indicates the wind direction, allowing the turbine to rotate on the tower and face the wind.

  • How do the blades of a wind turbine interact with wind?

    -The blades rotate on their axis to maximize resistance to wind force, which is the kinetic energy contained in moving air currents.

  • What material properties are important for wind turbine blades?

    -Wind turbine blades are made of very light and resistant materials to ensure ease of movement and energy production even with light winds.

  • What is the minimum wind speed required for a wind turbine to start producing energy?

    -A wind turbine can start producing energy with very light winds, starting from about 11 kilometers per hour.

  • Why do wind turbines stop spinning in very strong winds?

    -In very strong winds above 90 kilometers per hour, the blades are placed in the feathered position and the turbine stops spinning for safety reasons.

  • What is the purpose of the gearbox in a wind turbine?

    -The gearbox increases the turning speed of the low-speed shaft over a hundred times and transfers it to the high-speed shaft.

  • How fast does the high-speed shaft rotate in a wind turbine?

    -The high-speed shaft rotates up to 1500 revolutions per minute.

  • What converts the kinetic energy into electricity in a wind turbine?

    -A generator converts the kinetic energy into electricity, which is easier to transport and use.

  • How is the electricity produced by a wind turbine transported to the power grid?

    -The electricity produced is conducted through the interior of the tower to the banks, where a transformer raises the voltage for transport inside the wind farm.

  • What happens to the voltage of the electricity at the substation?

    -At the substation, the voltage is increased again to feed it into the power grid and transport it to end consumers.

  • How does the use of wind turbines contribute to sustainability?

    -Wind turbines use wind to produce clean and sustainable energy that can be used to light cities, feed industries, schools, hospitals, or operate household appliances.

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الوسوم ذات الصلة
Wind EnergyRenewable PowerClean TechSustainable LivingGreen EnergyTurbine MechanicsElectricity GenerationEnvironmental ScienceInnovative TechEco-friendly
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