Energy is a major input for overall socio-economic development. Use of fossil fuels is expected to fuel the economic development process of a majority of the world population during the next two decades. However, at some time during the period 2020-2050, fossil fuels are likely to reach their maximum potential, and their price will become higher than other renewable energy options on account of increasingly constrained production and availability. Therefore, renewable are expected to play a key role in accelerating development and sustainable growth in the second half of the next century, accounting then to 50 to 60% of the total global energy supply.
For the operation of wind turbine to be commercially feasible, average wind speed should be in the range of 13-30 mi/hr. at 25-30 mi/hr, a turbine operates at full capacity, and at higher wind speeds the turbine should be shut down to avoid damage.
The tip speed ratio is defined as the ratio of the speed of the extremities of a windmill rotor to the speed of the free wind. It is a measure of the 'gearing ratio' of the rotor. Drag devices always have tip speed ratios less than one and hence turn slowly, whereas lift devices can have high tip speed ratios and hence turn quickly relative to the wind.
Tip speed ratio = blade tip speed/wind speed
Solidity is usually defined as the percentage of the circumference of the rotor which contains material rather than air. High solidity machines carry a lot of material and have coarse blade angles. They generate much higher starting torque than low-solidity machines but are inherently less efficient than low-solidity machines. The extra materials also cost more money. However, low-solidity machines need to be made with more precision which leads to little difference in costs.Wind energy is the fastest growing renewable energy source in the world. The worldwide installed capacity is growing at a rapid pace of over 30% per year.
Factors:
- Declining cost (4-6 cents k/wh)
- Technological advances
- Revenue for landowners & tax jurisdictions
- Consumer demand
WARP system amplifies the ambient wind speed, through its multi-tasking aerodynamic modules or wind frames, to simple, standardized commodity horizontal axis (propeller-type) wind turbines. Each modular wind frame provides highly amplified wind flow fields from over 50% to 80% over free air wind speed to each conventional, small diameter wind turbine of no more than 1 meter to 3 meters in diameter. Each module also serves as a support for the wind turbines, a yaw assembly and protective housing for the core support tower and other internal subsystems.
Conclusion:
- Wind energy is pollution free and nature friendly
- Wind energy has very good potential and it is the fastest growing energy source
- The future looks bright for wind energy because technology is becoming more advanced and windmills are becoming more efficient
Giridaran Srinivasan
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