This is my investigative project on wind turbines, it showcases how efficient wind turbines can be, the investigation itself with the conclusions and data and the types of ways to make wind turbines efficient.
,What are wind turbines?
Wind turbines are a more modern version of a windmill.
The turbine utilises wind in making electricity, this is
where kinetic energy from the turbine be converted to
electrical energy to provide to the civilization. On
average, most common onshore wind turbines has a
capacity of 2-3 megawatts (MW), this can generate
‘’over 6 million kWh of electricity per year’’, this
electricity is enough to accommodate the demand for
electricity in 1,500 estimated household. Energy is
primarily extracted with the rotor, thus transforms mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Wind turbine generators is a cleaner type of energy that is efficient, renewable and the key for
energy transition and decarbonisation of the economy. Wind is a type of solar energy that is
achieved by a combination of three concurrent situations:
1. The sun warming the atmosphere unevenly.
2. Irregularities on the Earth’s surface.
3. Earth’s rotation
,Wind power is acquired from wind turbines, they are high-
reaching generators of electricity (approximately 80 and 120
metres high) that depends on wind strength. Regions that are
predominantly windy serves as a good base for wind turbines
where they plant wind farms to obtain large amounts of
energy. The turbines will primarily operate at 7 and 56 mph
of wind. Its efficiency can be raised at around 18 mph and
will reach its maximum output at 27 mph.
Wind turbines are placed in the direction of the wind, this is
done through the means of a vane on a nacelle. The force of
the air currents will start the operation of the main parts of
the wind turbine in motion:
Rotor: comprises of 3 blades and a bushing that connects the blades together. Their
function is to acquire forces of wind and turn it to mechanical rotational energy.
Multiplier: this is connected to the engine, it will function by increasing the rotational
speed to 30 revolutions (rpm) to 1500 rpm.
Generators: they are responsible for the conversion of mechanical energy of rotation into
electrical energy.
, Iberdrola. Available at: https://www.iberdrola.com/sustainability/renewables-energy-wind-
power (Accessed: April 7, 2023).
Types of Wind turbines:
Horizontal-axis turbines – these are the most commonly seen turbines, it has three blades and
function ‘’upwind’’. The turbine pivots at the top of the tower so that the blades is facing
towards the wind.
Vertical-axis wind turbines – these type of turbines are ‘’omnidirectional’’
which suggests that there is no need for adjusting the turbines to
point to the wind for it to function.
How do wind turbines work? (no date) Energy.gov. Available at:
https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/how-do-wind-turbines-work (Accessed:
April 7, 2023).
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