Wind & Solar Information

Energy from Wind

Wind energy converts kinetic energy that is present in the wind into more functional forms of energy such as electricity and mechanical energy. Wind energy is renewable, pollution-free and sustainable. It does not require fuel and it does not produce greenhouse gases as well as toxic or radioactive wastes.

Capturing the “Power of Wind”

The first thing is not all wind can be captured by a generator and turned into energy. Generators, like machines are not 100% efficient. The loss of energy is the ability of the rotor to capture the wind’s energy. The theoretical maximum energy of wind that can be captured is called the Betz Limit, which is 59%. The actual energy capture rate is given by a measurement called the Power Coefficient.

Where does Wind come from?

The basic answer is the sun. The differences in temperature causes air to move, in turn, moving air is referred to as “wind”. Different parts of the globe warm and cool causing warm air to rise and cool air to fall, it is these movements which develop into various intensities of wind. Therefore, wind is a form of solar power. There are many types of wind patterns such as:

• North-south prevailing winds
• East-west trade winds
• Polar easterlies
• Prevailing westerlies
• Regional wind patterns

In the end, what is important to most clients is how much power can the wind generator produce. What Two-West Wind & Solar provides is a comprehensive approach to ensuring the proper product is installed and from a marketing perspective, the product showcases itself to the client’s customers that the facility is achieving a green standard of excellence.

Main Electrical Components of the Wind Turbine

Generator

Capturing the wind energy and converting it into rotational energy is the basic part of the process. The turbine rotor must drive a generator to produce electric power. Generators will have various efficiencies based on their design and technology. Ninety percent or better is a rating that an efficient generator will be measured at full power.

Inverter

The process to achieving your final output of energy is taking the electricity and converting it into useable “grid” ready power that matches your building, home or facility. The electric power from the generator via the wind fluctuates with the changes in the wind speeds. The inverter converts this variable electric power into regulated power that can be used.

Some Cool Facts

Solar and wind power are increasingly becoming topics of conversation as the world shifts from coal, oil and other fossil fuels, to the clean and renewable energy provided by the wind and the sun.

Here's some fascinating statistics, facts and trivia about these power sources:

• It would take only around 0.3 per cent of the world's land area to supply all of our electricity needs via solar power .
• Solar and wind power systems have 100 times better lifetime energy yield than either nuclear or fossil energy system per tonne of mined materials
• The amount of energy that goes into creating solar panels is paid back through clean electricity production within anywhere from 1.5 - 4 years.
• The Earth receives more energy from the sun in an hour than is used in the entire world in one year
• Wind is a form of solar power, created by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface.
• Solar energy prices have decreased 4% per annum on average over the past 15 years
• In 2007, wind power made up 40 percent of new generating capacity installations in Europe and 35 percent in the USA.
• Manufacturing solar cells produces 90% less pollutants than conventional fossil fuel technologies

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