Introduction to wind energy systems - Research Paper Example

Introduction to Wind Energy Systems Apart from being free, wind is inexhaustible and a clean source of energy. For many years, wind has helped mankind to grind grains; propel ships; pump water and even run wind turbines. The discovery of various petroleum products after the World War II is what led to the significant decline in the utilization of wind energy (Johnson, 7). Other sources of energy were preferred to wind because of its unreliability and the high capital costs associated. Presently, oil reserves are diminishing thus the various moves by countries across the world to explore alternative sources of energy.

Coal and nuclear energy have adverse environmental impacts despite being examples of alternative sources of energy. Wind power looks extremely promising as much as it has comparatively high costs. According to Johnson (14) a typical wind energy system has a turbine which works to harness kinetic energy and convert it into usable power. A wind energy system can also be combined with a solar panel. The introduction of a solar panel to the wind energy system is supposed to increase overall efficiency in terms of power generation.

In other words, these two technologies complement one another. This power provides electricity for farms, homes, schools and business establishments. Site selection is very important in such a way that, for a small home, the site should be more than half an acre of land and the wind speed should be at least 16km/h (Johnson, 5). The size of the turbine to be installed greatly depends on energy consumption; for instance, homes require smaller turbines as compared to business establishments. It follows that the smaller the turbines the lesser the noise produced.

The sound produced can easily be compared to the whispering of leaves as the wind blows past them. Wind energy systems can either be on-grid or off-grid. The off-grid system occurs when a home or business enterprise totally relies on the power generated by turbines and it is completely disconnected from the electric utility company. Studies reveal that this system is 30% more costly than on-grid. This system is made up of a wind turbine mounted on a tower (Appstate). The tower is usually wired up to a control box which works to regulate battery charging.

Ecomall believes that an electric utility is expected to give credit to the owner in the event that a grid tie power system sends its electricity to the public grid. The electric company will sum up the monthly credits so as to determine the amount of money owed to the owner of the wind energy system; usually a home or a business. However, it is not advisable to expect to make money from an electric utility company. Another component is the inverter which obtains electricity from the battery bank then converts it into household electricity.

The system cannot be complete without safety devices. They include circuit breakers, fuses and lightning arrestors. Altestore reveals that the on-grid power system is more or less similar to the off-grid system. The only difference is that the inverter connected to the public utility directly. Technological advancements have resulted into wind power systems that do not have battery banks. In this case, electricity flows from the turbine to the grid through a special grid tie inverter. These types of systems are less expensive as compared to the on-grid and off-grid power systems.

In conclusion, it is wise for a country to invest in wind energy generation. Wind energy is clean, sustainable, affordable and economical. However, more research should be done so as to improve the technology behind these systems of power generation. Works CitedAltestore. An Introduction to Wind Power Turbines. October 3, 2011. Web. October 3, 2011 < http://www.altestore.com/howto/Wind-Power/Getting-Started/An-Introduction-to-Wind-Power-Turbines/a38/>.Appstate. Introduction to Wind Power. January 17, 2011. Web. October 2, 2011 < http://wind.appstate.edu/wind-power >. Ecomall. Introduction to Wind Energy.

February 4, 2010. Web. October 2, 2011. < http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/windindustry.htm>.Johnson, Gary. Wind Energy Systems. New York: Routledge. 2005. Pp. 1-21.