The Future of Wind Power
WHAT IS A WIND TURBINE
A wind turbine is a machine that converts kinetic energy from the wind into electricity. The blades of a wind turbine turn between 13 and 20 revolutions per minute, depending on their technology, at a constant or variable velocity, where the velocity of the rotor varies in relation to the velocity of the wind in order to reach a greater efficiency.
How do wind turbines produce energy
Automatic orientation
The wind turbine is automatically oriented to take maximum advantage of the kinetic energy of the wind, from the data registered by the vane and anemometer that are installed at the top. The nacelle turns around a crown located at the end of the tower.
Turning of the blades
The wind makes the blades turn, which start to move with wind speeds of around 3.5 m/s and provide maximum power with a wind speed 11 m/s. With very strong winds (25 m/s), the blades are feathered and the wind turbine slows down in order to prevent excessive voltages.
Gearbox
The rotor (unit of three blades set in the hub) turns a slow axis that is connected to a gearbox that lifts the turning velocity from 13 to 1,500 revolutions per minute.
Generation
The gearbox transfers its energy through a fast axis that is connected to the generator, which produces the electricity.
Evacuation
The energy generated runs through the inside of the tower to the base. From there, the energy runs over an underground line to the substation, where its voltage is raised in order to inject it into the electrical grid and distribute it to the points of consumption.
Monitoring
All of the critical functions of the wind turbine are monitored and supervised from the substation and the control center in order to detect and resolve any incidents.