The document provides an overview of wind energy, including its history, how it works, applications, and future goals. It discusses how wind is naturally produced and how wind turbines convert kinetic wind energy into electrical energy. The history section outlines key developments in wind power technology from the 1900s to present day. It also describes different types of wind turbines and generators. The document concludes by stating that ongoing innovations aim to improve wind turbine efficiency and integration with other renewable technologies to provide a more reliable energy supply and contribute to a sustainable future.

1. JECRC UNIVERSITY
TOPIC – WIND ENERGY
SUBMITTED BY – MANSI ARORA UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF
BSC PHYSICS HONS. DR. SHIVANI AGARWAL

2. INTRODUCTION
 Wind is produced naturally when the sun heats the atmosphere, from variations
in the surface of the Earth, and from the planet's rotation. Wind can then
increase or decrease as a result of the influence of bodies of water, forests,
meadows and other vegetation, and elevation changes. Wind patterns and
speeds vary significantly across terrain, as well as seasonally, but some of
those patterns are predictable enough to plan around.

3. History
 20th Century:
• Early 1900s: Research focused on improving wind turbine designs for
electricity generation. Innovations in aerodynamics and engineering led to the
development of more efficient wind turbines.
• 1970s: The energy crisis prompted renewed interest in renewable energy
sources, including wind power. The United States established the National
Wind Technology Center (NWTC) to advance wind energy research.
• 1980s-1990s: Technological advancements, such as improved blade designs,
better materials, and taller towers, increased turbine efficiency and reliability.

4. 21st Century:
•2000s-Present: Research intensified globally to optimize wind turbine performance,
increase energy output, reduce costs, and mitigate environmental impacts. This era saw
significant growth in wind power installations worldwide.
•Technological Innovations: Advances in computer simulations, control systems, and grid
integration technologies have driven further efficiency improvements and integration of wind
energy into the power grid.
•Offshore Wind: Recent focus on offshore wind energy, with significant research and
development to harness stronger and more consistent winds at sea.
•Policy Support and Growth: Government policies promoting renewable energy and
decarbonization efforts have fueled substantial growth in wind power installations
worldwide.
•Hybrid Systems: Research explores hybrid systems combining wind power with other
renewable sources or energy storage technologies for a more stable and reliable power
supply.

5. How wind energy works :
1. Wind Turbines: Wind turbines, usually installed in groups known as wind farms, consist of tall
towers supporting three blades attached to a central hub. The blades are aerodynamically
designed to capture wind energy efficiently.
2. Wind Capture: When the wind blows, it causes the turbine blades to rotate. The kinetic energy
from the wind is transferred to the blades, causing them to spin.
3. Rotor and Generator: As the blades turn, they rotate a rotor connected to a low-speed shaft
inside the turbine. The rotor then spins a generator, which is connected to the turbine through a
gearbox. The generator converts the mechanical energy of the rotating shaft into electrical
energy.
4. Electrical Output: The electrical energy produced by the generator is initially in the form of
alternating current (AC). It then goes through a transformer, where its voltage is increased for
efficient transmission through power lines.
5. Integration into the Grid: The electricity generated by wind turbines is often fed into a power
grid, where it becomes part of the overall electricity supply. It can be distributed to homes,
businesses, industries, and other consumers through transmission lines.
6. Control Systems: Wind turbines are equipped with control systems that adjust the blade pitch
or rotor speed to optimize energy capture based on wind conditions. Additionally, sensors and
software monitor and manage turbine operations for efficiency and safety.

7. Applications
 Wind energy has a wide range of applications across various sectors:
 1. **Electricity Generation:** The most common use of wind energy is to generate electricity through wind
turbines. These turbines convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical power. Wind farms, both
onshore and offshore, contribute significantly to renewable energy production.
 2. **Residential and Commercial Power:** Small-scale wind turbines can be installed in residential or
commercial settings to generate electricity for on-site consumption. This is particularly useful in remote
areas where connecting to the grid is expensive or impractical.
 3. **Water Pumping:** Wind power has been historically used to pump water, especially in rural areas and
agricultural settings. Wind pumps can lift water for irrigation, livestock, and even for drinking purposes,
providing a sustainable and off-grid solution.
 4. **Offshore Applications:** Apart from generating electricity, offshore wind farms can serve other
purposes such as powering offshore oil and gas platforms, providing energy for desalination plants, or
supporting various marine operations.
 5

8. TYPES OF WIND ENERGY
 Utility-Scale Wind
 Offshore Wind
 Distributed or “Small” Wind”

9. UTILITY SCALE WIND
 Utility-scale wind energy is a cornerstone in the realm of renewable energy sources, playing a
pivotal role in the global transition towards sustainable and clean energy. It involves the
generation of wind power at a large scale, typically using wind turbines that are capable of
producing more than 1 MW of power. This post aims to delve into the ecosystem of utility-scale
wind energy, explore the challenges it faces, propose solutions to these challenges, and discuss
its future prospects.

10. Challenges in Utility-Scale Wind Energy
• Siting and Environmental Concerns: Identifying suitable locations that balance wind resource
availability, environmental impact, and community acceptance is challenging.
• High Capital Costs: The initial investment required for land acquisition, turbine installation, and
infrastructure development is substantial.
• Intermittency and Reliability: The variable and unpredictable nature of wind poses challenges
in ensuring a consistent and reliable power supply.
• Transmission and Integration: Developing the necessary transmission infrastructure and
integrating large-scale wind power into the grid are complex and often costly endeavors.

11. Offshore wind
 Offshore wind power or offshore wind energy is the energy taken from the force
of the winds out at sea, transformed into electricity and supplied into the
electricity network onshore.
 Offshore wind power is a constantly renewable and infinite energy source, and
the conversion of wind into power creates no harmful greenhouse gas
emissions. As we work to tackle climate change and reduce greenhouse
gases, offshore wind power will play an essential role in our future electricity
generation.

12. ADVANTAGES
• Distance from local populations, therefore cancelling worries about noise from
the rotation of the wind turbine blades and reducing the impact on local
environments.
• Space to dramatically increase the number of wind farms and therefore clean
energy to homes and businesses. See below for net zero targets.
• Job creation – the government estimates that a step rise to 40 gigawatts (GW)
of offshore wind in the same period will support up to 60,000 new jobs. Our own
analysis in the Job That Can’t Wait report, shows that the country needs to fill
400,000 jobs in the energy sector in the next three decades to deliver net
zero by 2050.
• On top of being clean and green, offshore wind power is cost-efficient so
electricity bills will reduce.

13. DISADVANTAGES
• Worries about the effect on birds and marine life. Here, the effect unchecked
climate change poses to wildlife needs to be balanced with ongoing research
into habitat loss, disturbance and collision.
• Some potential disruption during infrastructure creation, although the integration
of interconnectors means less disruption than multi projects.

14. Distributed or “Small” Wind”
 Wind turbines used as a distributed energy resource—known as distributed wind—are
connected at the distribution level of an electricity delivery system (or in off-grid
applications) to serve on-site energy demand or support operation of local electricity
distribution networks.
 Distributed wind installations can range from a less-than-1-kilowatt off-grid wind
turbine powering telecommunications equipment, to a 15-kilowatt wind turbine at a
home or small farm or a 100-kilowatt wind turbine at a university campus or industrial
facility. Distributed wind can also be several multimegawatt wind turbines owned by a
local community or the local electricity distribution utility.

15. Advantages:
1. Renewable Energy Source: Small wind systems harness wind energy, a
renewable resource, providing clean electricity without relying on finite fossil fuels.
2. Energy Independence: Allows individuals, residences, or small businesses to
generate their electricity, reducing dependence on centralized power grids.
3. Reduced Electricity Costs: When appropriately sited and maintained, small wind
systems can significantly reduce electricity bills, especially in areas with consistent
wind resources.
4. Environmental Benefits: Produces clean energy, reducing greenhouse gas
emissions and contributing to environmental conservation efforts.
5. Rural and Remote Applications: Ideal for rural and remote areas where grid
access may be limited, providing a reliable source of electricity.
6. Educational and Demonstration Purposes: Small wind systems serve as
educational tools, demonstrating the principles of renewable energy and
encouraging sustainable practices.

16. Disadvantages
1. Intermittent Nature: Wind availability can be inconsistent, leading to variability in
power generation. Turbines may not generate electricity during periods of low or no
wind.
2. Site Dependency: Effective operation requires suitable wind speeds and proper
siting, limiting deployment in urban or low-wind areas.
3. Installation and Maintenance Costs: Initial installation costs and ongoing
maintenance can be relatively high compared to the electricity generated, impacting
the return on investment.
4. Visual and Noise Impact: Small wind turbines may face opposition due to their
visual impact on landscapes and the noise they generate while operating.
5. Space Requirement: Requires adequate space for installation, especially for larger
turbines, which might not be feasible in densely populated areas or smaller
properties.
6. Regulatory and Zoning Challenges: Compliance with local regulations and zoning
laws can pose challenges for installation, affecting the feasibility of deploying small
wind systems.

17. How does wind power works

18. WIND TURBINE
 A wind turbine turns wind energy into electricity using the aerodynamic force
from the rotor blades, which work like an airplane wing or helicopter rotor
blade. When wind flows across the blade, the air pressure on one side of the
blade decreases. The difference in air pressure across the two sides of the blade
creates both lift and drag. The force of the lift is stronger than the drag and this
causes the rotor to spin. The rotor connects to the generator, either directly (if
it’s a direct drive turbine) or through a shaft and a series of gears (a gearbox)
that speed up the rotation and allow for a physically smaller generator. This
translation of aerodynamic force to the rotation of a generator creates
electricity.

19. Principle
 Wind turbines work on a simple principle: instead of using electricity to make
wind—like a fan—wind turbines use wind to make electricity. Wind turns the
propeller-like blades of a turbine around a rotor, which spins a generator, which
creates electricity.
 Wind is a form of solar energy caused by a combination of three concurrent
events:
1. The sun unevenly heating the atmosphere
2. Irregularities of the earth's surface
3. The rotation of the earth

20. How a Wind Turbine Works
 A wind turbine turns wind energy into electricity using the aerodynamic force
from the rotor blades, which work like an airplane wing or helicopter rotor
blade. When wind flows across the blade, the air pressure on one side of the
blade decreases. The difference in air pressure across the two sides of the blade
creates both lift and drag. The force of the lift is stronger than the drag and this
causes the rotor to spin. The rotor connects to the generator, either directly (if
it's a direct drive turbine) or through a shaft and a series of gears (a gearbox)
that speed up the rotation and allow for a physically smaller generator. This
translation of aerodynamic force to rotation of a generator creates electricity.

21. Types of wind turbines
 Horizontal axix turbine
 Vertical axix turbine

22. Horizontal axix turbine
 Horizontal-axis turbines have blades like airplane propellers, and they
commonly have three blades. The largest horizontal-axis turbines are as tall as
20-story buildings and have blades more than 100 feet long. Taller turbines with
longer blades generate more electricity. Nearly all of the wind turbines currently
in use are horizontal-axis turbines

23. • These are the most common types of wind turbines.
• They have a horizontal rotor shaft, with blades that resemble an airplane propeller.
• HAWTs are suitable for both small-scale residential installations and large utility-scale
wind farms.
• A typical HAWT can generate electricity with capacities ranging from 1 kW to over 10
MW.
• In 2022, global HAWT installations contributed to over 97.3% of total wind power
capacity.


24. Vertical axix turbine
 Vertical-axis turbines have blades that are attached to the top and the bottom of
a vertical rotor. The most common type of vertical-axis turbine—the Darrieus
wind turbine, named after the French engineer Georges Darrieus who patented
the design in 1931—looks like a giant, two-bladed egg beater. Some versions of
the vertical-axis turbine are 100 feet tall and 50 feet wide. Very few vertical-axis
wind turbines are in use today because they do not perform as well as
horizontal-axis turbines

25. • VAWTs have a vertical rotor shaft, with blades that rotate around it.
• They can capture wind from any direction and are often used in urban environments
or where aesthetics is a concern.
• While less common than HAWTs, they have unique advantages of wind energy in
certain applications.
• VAWTs are typically smaller, with capacities ranging from a few hundred watts to a few
megawatts.
• These turbines account for about 5% of global wind power capacity in 2022.

26. Types of Wind Turbine Generators and their
Functions
 There are four types of wind turbine generators (WTGs) which can be considered for the
various wind turbine systems, those are:
1. Direct Current (DC) Generators
2. Alternating Current (AC) Synchronous Generators
3. AC Asynchronous Generators, and
4. Switched Reluctance Generators.

27. Direct Current (DC) Generators
 These generators produce direct current electricity. They typically use a
commutator and brushes to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.
• DC generators are relatively simple and have fewer parts compared to AC
generators. They were commonly used in older wind turbine designs but are
less prevalent in modern systems due to certain limitations in efficiency and
maintenance.

28. Alternating Current (AC) Synchronous
Generators:
• AC synchronous generators produce electricity that matches the frequency and
phase of the grid. They require synchronization with the grid to operate.
• These generators have a fixed speed that is synchronous with the grid
frequency. They usually require power electronics or a gearbox to adjust the
turbine speed to match the grid frequency.

29. AC Asynchronous Generators
• Also known as induction generators, these produce electricity that is not
synchronized with the grid frequency.
• They do not require synchronization with the grid, making them simpler in
design compared to synchronous generators. However, they require a power
electronic converter to convert the variable frequency AC output to match the
grid frequency.

30. Switched Reluctance Generators:
• These generators operate based on the principle of changing magnetic
reluctance to generate electricity.
• They have a simpler construction compared to traditional generators, which
might reduce maintenance needs and costs. They can operate at variable
speeds and are considered suitable for some wind turbine designs.

31. Future goals
 The future of wind energy holds promising advancements and developments across various
fronts:
 1. Technological Innovations: Continued advancements in turbine design, materials, and
manufacturing processes will enhance efficiency, allowing for larger, more powerful turbines
that can harness wind more effectively.
 2. Offshore Expansion: Offshore wind energy is expected to grow substantially. Harnessing
strong and consistent winds at sea offers vast untapped potential for clean energy
generation, with floating turbines becoming more feasible and cost-effective.
 3. Integrated Systems: Integration with other renewable energy sources like solar power and
energy storage systems will create more reliable and consistent energy production. Hybrid
systems can balance out fluctuations in wind availability, ensuring a more stable energy
supply.
 4. Smart Grids and Storage: Smart grid technologies will improve the management and
distribution of wind energy. Energy storage solutions, such as advanced batteries and grid-
scale storage, will mitigate the intermittency of wind power, making it more reliable.

32. conclusion
 Wind energy utilizes the kinetic energy of the wind, captured by turbines to
generate electricity. Turbines consist of blades that spin, converting wind
energy into rotational energy. This rotation activates a generator, producing
electrical power. They vary in size, from small turbines for residential use to
massive ones in wind farms. Advances in technology improve efficiency,
making larger turbines that can harness more wind. Offshore wind farms
exploit stronger, more consistent winds at sea. Integration with storage
systems and smart grids ensures a stable energy supply despite wind
variability. Wind energy reduces reliance on fossil fuels, mitigating climate
change. Government support and ongoing research aim to make wind energy
more affordable and widespread, contributing to a sustainable energy future.

33. Thank you !