Wind turbines: what they are, types and how they work

  • The wind turbine converts the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity.
  • There are two main types of wind turbines: horizontal axis and vertical axis.
  • The V164 wind turbine is the most powerful in the world, with a capacity to generate 216.000 kWh in 24 hours.
Installation of a windmill

How is wind converted into electricity? The direct antecedent of the current ones wind turbines are the old windmills, which are still used today for various tasks, such as grinding grain or pumping water. Windmill It is a machine with blades or paddles connected to a common shaft that rotates when the wind blows.

This mechanical movement can be used in various ways. Currently, the most common way is to use it to produce electricity. The rotation of the blades drives an electric generator that converts the energy into electricity. Kinetic energy coming from the wind in electrical power.

Types of Wind Turbines

There are two main types of wind turbines according to the arrangement of its axis: horizontal axis and vertical axis.

Horizontal axis wind turbines

These are the most common today and are characterized by having the axis of rotation parallel to the ground. These allow covering a wide range of applications, from small generation systems to large wind farms. They are used in installations both land (onshore) as marinas (offshore), adapting to different energy needs.

Vertical axis wind turbines

Unlike those with a horizontal axis, vertical axis wind turbines They do not require a steering mechanism, as they capture wind from any direction. This reduces mechanical complexity and allows the generator to be located close to the ground, making it easy to access for maintenance. It is important to note that there are three types of vertical wind turbines: Savonius, Giromill y darrieus, each with particularities in its design and applications.

Vertical wind turbines

Disadvantages of wind turbines

Although wind turbines are a very efficient solution for renewable energy production, present some drawbacks. Among the most notable are their considerable size and noise that they produce. These characteristics force wind turbines to be installed in areas far from urban zones.

Another key problem is the wind variability. Turbines are designed to operate efficiently when the wind blows within a certain range of speeds, which typically range from 3 and 24 meters per secondIf the wind is weaker, the turbine cannot generate enough electricity, and if it is too strong, it may damage the mechanism.

Components of a wind turbine

Constitution of a wind turbine or wind turbine

Wind turbines are made up of different components that work together to efficiently convert wind into electricity. Below we describe the most important parts:

  • Tower and foundations: The tower supports the blades and the generator. It is built from various materials, such as steel or concrete, depending on the size of the turbine. The foundations ensure structural stability and can be shallow or deep.
  • Rotor: It is the component that interacts the most with the wind. Its blades convert wind energy into rotational movement.
  • Gondola: The nacelle houses the generator and the multiplier box. This part is responsible for orienting the blades towards the direction of the wind.
  • Multiplier box: increases the speed of the rotor rotation to reach the revolutions required by the generator, generally 1.500 to 2.000 per minute.
  • Generator: transforms mechanical energy into electrical energy, generally through the use of magnetic fields.

Advantages of fast wind turbines compared to slow ones

There are two main categories of wind turbines: fast and slow. fast wind turbines They are lighter and more efficient due to their lower number of blades. With fewer moving components, they are easier to maintain and can better regulate the power captured from the wind. In addition, their lighter structure reduces stress on the gearbox and mechanical components, resulting in a lower power output. lower maintenance cost and a longer shelf life.

Modern wind turbines

The most powerful windmill in the world

Recently, the company Vestas has presented the update of the wind turbine V164, the most powerful in the world. This huge turbine is 220 metres high and has blades 80 metres long. The previous model offered a power of 8 MW, but after the improvements made, the new wind turbine can reach XNUMX MW. 9 MW of power under optimal conditions.

During its first test, this wind turbine managed to generate 216.000 kWh in 24 hours, marking a record for energy production. To put this into perspective, that amount of energy could supply the electricity consumption of an average home for 66 years.

The success of this gigantic wind turbine has shown that the ocean winds can play a crucial role in the transition to renewable energy on a large scale. Its ability to harness strong air currents at sea and efficiently convert them into electricity is a major step towards reducing carbon emissions.

Wind energy continues to evolve, with wind turbines becoming more powerful and efficient. Innovations such as the V164 not only set new records, but also demonstrate the potential of offshore wind energy to lead the way in the production of clean, affordable and sustainable electricity.


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