Wind Turbines
What are wind turbines and what do they have to do with the environment? You may not realize it but a wind turbine is a huge machine that rotates and takes kinetic energy and changes it to mechanical energy. Kinetic energy is the extra energy something has because of its motion. Mechanical energy is a potential energy and the kinetic energy in a mechanical system.
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A good example of this is if the mechanical energy is directly used by machines, such as for pumping or grinding, the machine is most likely a windmill. If this energy is converted to electricity, the machine is then a wind turbine or wind energy converter.
The first windmills used for practical use were for grinding corn and drawing water. They were also used in the sugarcane business. Although the first windmill to generate electricity was a machine for charging batteries.
Since wind is a type of solar energy, the flow of the wind is used by people to generate electricity. How do they do this? The process of a wind turbine works the opposite way of a fan. Instead of making wind they use wind to make electricity. The wind causes the blades to turn which makes a shaft spin. This connects to a generator which makes electricity.
There are basically two types of wind turbines – the horizontal axis and the vertical axis. The horizontal axis turbine usually has two or three blades. They are operated with the blades facing the wind. One of the largest ever made is the GE Wind Energy 3.6 megawatt wind turbine.
The size of a wind turbine makes a difference in how well it works. The large turbines cost less to run and are more effective. The larger ones are often put together in groups which are called wind farms. They provide the major power to the electrical grids.
Smaller turbines are used for telecommunications dishes. Or they are used for pumping water. The smaller ones are often used with diesel generators or batteries. Called a hybrid win system this type is used in places where a connection to a grid for utilities is not accessible.
The wind turbine is a big energy saver. Electricity bills can be cut by anywhere from 50 to 90%. The total electric home can have a utility bill of $8 to $15 for three quarters of the year. Where temperatures are not as hot, the turbine can allow very low electricity bills all year long.
Already wind turbines have been put in place in about 47 of the states in the U.S. The main concentration is in the Northeast and the Midwest. By installing a wind turbine at your home you will be helping to cut down on pollution. They do not create pollution like the utility companies do when they generate electricity.
No greenhouse gases are emitted and air pollutants are cut. About 200 tons of greenhouse gases are omitted by using wind turbines. Saving 1.2 tons of air pollution being put into the air is another aspect of the wind turbine.
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