Un wind turbine It is a device designed for converting the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy by using a rotor and a generator. These wind turbines are divided into two main types: vertical axis wind turbines and horizontal axis wind turbinesBoth have unique characteristics and are applied in different situations depending on the environment and needs of the facility.
Types of wind turbines
There are two main categories of wind turbines:
- Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT): It can capture wind from any direction and has a low level of energy production, making it ideal for places with low wind intensity or urban areas where regulations prevent the installation of large structures.
- Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT): This is the most widely used in large wind farms. Its efficiency is higher and it is better used in areas where the wind is more intense and constant.
Vertical axis wind turbine
Vertical axis wind turbines, known as VAWT, are those in which the rotor axis is in a vertical position with respect to the ground. One of their main advantages is that they do not need orientation mechanisms to capture the wind, since they can operate independently of the wind direction. In addition, the electric generator can be located on the ground, which facilitates maintenance.
These wind turbines have a lower energy efficiency compared to horizontal axis turbines, but they are still effective in areas where wind speed is low or changing. They also require motor start, as they cannot start on their own in most cases.
Types of vertical axis wind turbines
Within VAWT, there are several subtypes:
1. Savonius wind turbine
El Savonius It is one of the simplest and most robust models. It is characterized by having two horizontally displaced semicircles, through which the wind passes, generating a rotational movement. Although its efficiency is low, it is a good option where low maintenance systems are required.
2. Giromill wind turbine
This type of wind turbine has a vertical blade assembly connected to two bars that form the vertical axis. Its energy capacity varies between 10 and 20 kW, making it a more efficient option than the Savonius for small residential or commercial installations.
3. Darrieus wind turbine
El darrieus It is a more advanced type that is composed of two or three biconvex bladesIts design allows the wind turbine to make better use of the wind in wide speed ranges. However, it has the disadvantage of needing a Savonius rotor or another system to get it up and running.
Operation of a vertical axis wind turbine
The operation of VAWT It is relatively simple. The blades rotate driven by the force of the wind moving in different directions. These wind turbines are always aligned with the wind, allowing them to continue operating even when wind speeds are low.
Because they are more compact, vertical axis wind turbines generate less energy compared to their horizontal axis counterparts. However, they are efficient enough for applications such as heat a home, keep lights on or even recharging an electric car.
Horizontal axis wind turbines
Horizontal axis wind turbines are the most common, especially in large ones wind farmsThese wind turbines have better energy efficiency due to their ability to generate energy more efficiently from high wind speeds.
The components of these wind turbines are placed in a nacelle located at the top of the tower. The rotor, which consists of three blades, captures the wind and generates a rotational movement that is multiplied through a gearbox to produce electricity. This movement, generated by the wind, is taken to a generator that creates the energy that is transported to the grid.
Which wind turbine is more efficient?
The horizontal axis wind turbines They tend to be more efficient. This is because they can reach higher rotation speeds and make better use of the wind at higher altitudes, where the wind speed is more constant and stronger. In addition, they require fewer gears to increase the speed of rotation, which allows better use of the kinetic energy of the wind.
Innovations in wind turbines
In recent years, we have seen great innovations in wind technology. One of the most promising has been the Vortex bladeless mills, developed by a Spanish company. This type of wind turbine with no moving parts aims to reduce maintenance costs and eliminate the visual impact that large traditional wind turbines generate in the landscape.
Another ambitious project is the Wind treeThis design uses 72 leaf-shaped turbines arranged on a mechanical shaft that generates energy with very light winds. This type of structure would be ideal for placement in cities, providing a renewable and aesthetically pleasing source of energy.
Historical and modern use of wind turbines
The use of wind energy is nothing new. The first windmills were used for pumping water or grinding grain in rural areas. However, it was not until the 70s that Denmark made a real commitment to large-scale wind energy, allowing the country to become the leading manufacturer of wind technology.
Today, wind turbines that began as small installations in rural areas have given way to giant wind farms that generate hundreds of megawatts of clean energy for consumption around the world. Large companies such as Siemens y Vestas lead the production of these technologies.
The future of wind turbines involves major developments in terms of efficiency and cost. It is expected that, with the installation of floating turbines offshore wind energy will play an even more important role in the transition to renewable energy.
Thanks to the development of this type of innovation, wind energy has ceased to be an experimental solution to become one of the main sources of renewable energy globally.
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