Wind Turbines

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Wind Turbines

Wind turbines were first built in Iran during the 7th century. These windmills had long vertical drive shafts and rectangle like blades that were covered in cloth material. They were used to grind corn, draw water and even filter sugar. During the 14th century similar mills were used to drain rivers and by the beginning of the 1900’s there were windmills used throughout the world to aid in labor production. The first known electrical mill was operated in the late 1800s and grew in popularity until World War I. At this time ten thousand mills were produced annually and spread across the United States to aid in water pumping, and energy production in rural areas.

There are two types of home wind turbines that are available; horizontal and vertical. Horizontal turbines are tall towers with electrical generators that are activated by a wheel that turns with the wind. Most have a gear box that turns the blades on the wheel more quickly as the wind increases. These types of turbines must be placed upwind so that they have maximum access to wind. Turbines can be placed down wind, however they do not have as much energy production. Vertical turbines are similar in design to horizontal turbines, but with vertical turbines the when that turns with the wind is facing upwards. This allows the turbine to be placed anywhere, regardless of the wind. This model is also able to be placed somewhat close to the ground, taking up less room. Wind speed is lower at a lower altitude so less energy is converted with a vertical turbine when compared to a horizontal turbine. These turbines are often mounted on rooftops and mountains.

More power is generated with higher wind flow through the turbine and the power of the wind depends on location, season, time of day, pressure, and weather conditions. Because of this there are currently many problems with consistency of the energy that comes from wind turbines. Turbines can not constantly supply power because the energy that is created is un-storable. This often leads to moments of intense energy and other moments with no energy at all. None the less turbines have extremely low effects on the environment because they use no fuel, they are clean, natural, they produce no emissions and the energy converted can be widely distributed.

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Wind turbines were first built in Iran during the 7th century. These windmills had long vertical drive shafts and rectangle like blades that were covered in cloth material. They were used to grind corn, draw water and even filter sugar. During the 14th century similar mills were used to drain rivers and by the beginning of the 1900’s there were windmills used throughout the world to aid in labor production. The first known electrical mill was operated in the late 1800s and grew in popularity until World War I. At this time ten thousand mills were produced annually and spread across the United States to aid in water pumping, and energy production in rural areas.

There are two types of home wind turbines that are available; horizontal and vertical. Horizontal turbines are tall towers with electrical generators that are activated by a wheel that turns with the wind. Most have a gear box that turns the blades on the wheel more quickly as the wind increases. These types of turbines must be placed upwind so that they have maximum access to wind. Turbines can be placed down wind, however they do not have as much energy production. Vertical turbines are similar in design to horizontal turbines, but with vertical turbines the when that turns with the wind is facing upwards. This allows the turbine to be placed anywhere, regardless of the wind. This model is also able to be placed somewhat close to the ground, taking up less room. Wind speed is lower at a lower altitude so less energy is converted with a vertical turbine when compared to a horizontal turbine. These turbines are often mounted on rooftops and mountains.

More power is generated with higher wind flow through the turbine and the power of the wind depends on location, season, time of day, pressure, and weather conditions. Because of this there are currently many problems with consistency of the energy that comes from wind turbines. Turbines can not constantly supply power because the energy that is created is un-storable. This often leads to moments of intense energy and other moments with no energy at all. None the less turbines have extremely low effects on the environment because they use no fuel, they are clean, natural, they produce no emissions and the energy converted can be widely distributed.

Solar Energy

Renewable