Alternative methods of generating electricity are increasingly attracting consumers. One such source is a wind power generator. Installing a wind turbine in a suburban area or dacha will be able to provide lighting and the operation of household electrical appliances. Consider the structure and operating rules of wind power generators in detail.
The structure and principle of operation of the wind turbine
Generator device
The only condition for starting wind generators is the presence of air currents. The air currents spin the gearbox blades, charging the storage element - the battery.
- Mast with generator and gearbox;
- Blades for capturing air currents;
- Frame.
Then the obtained kinetic energy is fed to the inverter, passing through the path of conversion into variable frequency current. Electrical and lighting devices are powered from this current. Modern wind power generators are designed in such a way that they themselves seek the necessary air flows, turning around their axis.
Types and features
The difference between these wind power generators is the need for wind power to generate energy. Propeller (horizontal axis) stations are less dependent on the strength of air flows, therefore, they are widely used among consumers.
Advantages;
- They do not require a fuel resource;
- Eco-friendly;
- Ease of manufacture;
- Autonomy.
Compared to similar gas or inverter generators, wind turbines do not require refueling. The purchase of such an installation pays off very quickly and begins to save the budget, providing free electricity... In addition, you will need to determine the excess energy generated. Good advice- heat accumulator for heating.
We analyze the principle of work and types:
The price of wind power generators directly depends on the generated power. For example, three-kilowatt devices can be purchased for 93-95,000 rubles, and devices with a power of 5 kW - for 210,350 rubles. Accordingly, a 10 kW wind turbine model will cost 415,00 rubles, and a 20 kW device will cost 745,380 rubles.
Are there any disadvantages? These include an insignificant noise factor during operation. Only large industrial wind farms are noisy.
Review of popular products
VEU-1000-3 / 3 (Russia)
- Power - 1 kW;
- The minimum air flow rate is 3 m / s;
- Monthly electricity supply - up to 80 kW;
- The service life is up to 15 years.
This model of an electric generator with three gear blades has a power of 1 kW. A compact, portable powerplant can provide electricity for a small country house in the amount of monthly output 50-80 kW per hour.
The unit works in areas with weak winds, and is not picky about environmental conditions. The wind power generating device can be easily stowed in the trunk and transported. Price - 23,780 rubles.
Wind turbine HY-500L-RM (China)
- Power - 5 kW;
- The minimum air flow speed is 2.5 m / s;
- Monthly electricity supply - 1,500 kW;
- Working temperature - from -40 to +60 degrees;
- The service life is up to 20 years.
A portable wind turbine of low power with an installed electromagnetic braking controller, which provides protection against powerful air currents. This model is made of high-strength material - fiberglass and nylon. The device is easily installed on a roof or tower, does not require welding. The purchase of wind generators of this modification will cost 38,496 rubles.
Wind turbine Saipwell
Wind turbine Saipwell (China)
- Power - 6 kW;
- The minimum air flow rate is 1.5 m / s;
- Monthly electricity supply - 1,800 kW;
- Working temperature - from -20 to +60 degrees;
- Service life - 20 years.
These models of horizontal axis wind turbines generate three-phase constant frequency current. The reducer is equipped with 5 (3) twisted blades and an electromagnetic braking controller. The option of protection against heavy air currents saves the unit from breakdown. The purchase of an electric generator for a wind turbine of this modification will cost 42,190 rubles.
Choosing the right and reliable equipment
Power
Before buying a wind power generator, you should determine the amount of electricity required for consumption. A 300 W wind generator is enough to watch TV, charge your cell phone and light up two rooms. Such a mini-weather vane can be easily placed in the trunk and taken with you on a trip or installed at a summer cottage.
We watch the video, practical advice from a specialist:
To supply power to large cottages, shops or construction sites, more powerful wind turbines are needed - from two to ten kilowatts. Power supply for larger facilities (summer cottage community, hospital campus, etc.) will require wind power generators with a capacity of up to 20 kW. For large industrial enterprises several powerful wind power plants are installed at once to generate high-quality current.
When buying a wind turbine, make sure that the starting power of energy consumers does not exceed the wind turbine itself. The allowed limit is 15% for five minutes.
Determine the strength of the wind in your area. The power plant works exclusively due to the intensity of air flows, so it is impractical to purchase a powerful unit in a quiet, windless area. In areas with intensive movement of air masses, models of high power wind generators can be purchased.
Overload protection
An important point when choosing a device is the protection of the wind power generator from various overloads, short circuits, and a sharp decrease in voltage. For this, a reliable security system must be installed on the device.
To secure the operation of wind power generators, it is recommended to have backup analogs on diesel or gasoline with a capacity of up to 2 kW. But this applies to models with a power rating of more than 5 kW.
Price factor
The cost of wind power generators also depends on the manufacturer. Imported equipment is different good quality, however, many times more expensive than domestic products. At this stage, Russian companies are successfully producing domestically produced goods on the market that are distinguished by their quality and relatively cheap prices.
We make a windmill ourselves
A generator from a car is quite suitable for creating a wind power generator with your own hands. However, the rotor from the car will not fit and you will need to make a new one.
We watch the video, the stages of manufacturing on our own:
The fact is that to activate the wind generator, a magnetic field is needed, which will be formed by installing magnets with dimensions 20X10x5 in the rotor body.
- The new rotor must fully match the dimensions of a car analog, and be suitable in size to the magnets. Further, the magnets are installed evenly, observing the alternation of the poles. The magnets are secured with tape, and the gaps are filled with epoxy.
- The stator for the wind power generator will have to be redone, since the rotor blades are not the engine of the car: they will not be able to provide the rotational speed. The stator needs a new winding, which can be done with a thin wire of 0.6-1 mm. To remove the old winding, the stator is placed in a fire. Then the part must be cleaned and rinsed from dirt.
- Now, with the help of film-electric cardboard and enamel-wire, we make a winding. Cardboard is necessary to prevent shorting to iron, therefore it is used as a spacer between the wire and the coil. Winding is done through two teeth in a dense layer. After winding, impregnate the stator with paint, epoxy or varnish.
- Next, we test the wind power generator for "working" with a drill or screwdriver, that is, we rotate it. The criterion is up to 30 volts at 300 rpm. Resistance should be up to 3 ohms.
- Now you need to design a frame on which everything will be held. It is better to make a rotary hollow axis to order from a turner. The very frame for an electric generator can be made from improvised material using a grinder, welding and a drill.
- A wind wheel (weather vane) for wind power generators can be created from ordinary sewer pipes with a diameter of 160 mm. And at the end of the composition, a controller is installed for the wind turbine. The ballast regulator can also be made by yourself, but it is better to buy.
Outcome
Wind power generators are the future. Under any weather conditions, gusts of air masses and their absence, the consumer will always be provided with electricity. Saving on energy bills will significantly free up the budget for other purposes. What is more profitable - a home-made power unit or a purchased device? Everyone will decide for himself.
A wind generator is a good idea for country house... It saves energy and does not harm the environment. Previously, a wind generator for a residential cottage was a curiosity, an innovation, but now it is quite common.
To choose a wind generator, it is necessary to understand what it is in general, what types are found and what is needed for their payback and correct operation. Surely you have already seen surreal photos of a wind generator on the Internet or stills from a film and are interested in this excellent source of alternative energy.
Let's take a look at how a wind turbine works. The air flow rotates the rotor blades fixed on the shaft of the wind generator itself. It is in its winding that an electric current is generated. Electricity is stored in batteries and then supplied to the serviced private house.
Wind generator device
The controller downstream of the generator converts the three-phase alternating current to direct current. The controller is responsible for controlling the current in the entire electrical circuit, it can switch it to charge the batteries.
Then the current goes to the inverter, where it is converted from DC to AC. All this leads to insignificant energy losses - about 20%
Complete set of wind turbines for home
- Rotor. They are divided into two-, three- and multi-bladed;
- Reducer. Regulates how fast the rotor rotates;
- Battery. Collection or consumption of energy;
- Inverter. Converts current from DC to AC;
- Casing. Protects the windmill from negative natural factors;
- "Tail". It is necessary to turn the wind generator in the direction of the wind movement;
How to calculate the efficiency of a wind turbine
Wind is a changeable phenomenon and depends on natural conditions and climate characteristics. Sometimes it blows very hard, and at other times it is almost zero. Therefore, first it is worth understanding whether a wind turbine is needed at all in a given place, whether it is cost-effective.
It is necessary to know the average annual wind speed in the studied area. If it turns out to be less than 4 m / s, then buying a wind farm is not worth it, it will not recoup your investment. If there is enough wind, it is necessary to correctly select the power of the installation.
Let's calculate the average electricity consumption for one family. An approximate value will be 100-300 kilowatts per month. With an average annual wind speed in the region of 5-8 meters per second, a wind generator with a capacity of up to 3 kW is needed. In winter, when the wind is stronger, electricity production will increase.
Their cost will depend on the power and efficiency of wind turbines. It ranges from 2000 to 8000 dollars per 1 kW of electricity. In operation, a wind turbine is more economical than a gasoline generator.
It is optimal to place wind turbines with a horizontal axis of rotation at a level of 25 - 35 meters above the ground. Vertical wind turbines can be placed on the ground.
It is quite easy to place vertical wind turbines, which cannot be said about horizontal ones. These installations require special masts, which are fastened with guy wires and stand on the foundation.
The installation of a powerful wind generator is carried out using a crane. This is a rather laborious process, so they prefer to make wind turbines for residential buildings without masts. Wind generators with a vertical axis of rotation are the cheapest. They function well even when the wind is light.
These installations are relatively new and so far we can only talk about low cost, low noise level and, unfortunately, low efficiency.
The wind turbine mast is easy to make by yourself. But the rest of the equipment must be factory-supplied. Of course, there are craftsmen with "golden hands" who make wind turbines from old technology.
The material is electric motors, generators from cars, and even wheels from electric bicycles. But such installations always turn out to be less efficient than the factory ones. And this is unreliable.
And you should also know that the larger the blades and the more powerful the generator, the more electricity the installation can produce. It would be nice if it didn't add value. Therefore, before you start figuring out how to choose a wind generator for your home, you need to know exactly the required power.
Accommodation and operation
The question inevitably arises: where will the wind turbine be installed? Here are the points to keep in mind:
- Ideally, the wind turbine should be installed above ground level.
- There should be no structures, trees or anything nearby that would reduce productivity
- It is good if the wind turbine is located several tens of meters away from residential buildings. Wind turbines are not only noisy, they also emit infrasound, which is felt as a low hum.
How to connect a wind generator to the network
In Russia, with its long winters and constant winds, a vertical wind turbine is preferred. The wind generator connection diagram is quite simple: it is installed on the ground or on a low mast.
The wind generator can be immediately connected to the boiler, bypassing the inverter and batteries. All of this is easy to do on your own.
Disadvantages of wind turbines
- Operational problems
- Wind turbines are quite noisy
- Gusty wind and icing can damage the parts of the wind turbine
- The wind turbine requires regular maintenance and replacement of parts
- The mast must be grounded and a lightning rod must be installed on it.
- It also requires a warning light for small aircraft.
Benefits of wind turbines
- They do not require payment for the energy sources used;
- Sufficiently autonomous;
- The wind turbine can be operated in most regions;
- Durable, do not require frequent replacements and repairs;
Alternative energy is actively developing and it is already clear that wind turbines have a great future. They are completely autonomous, do not require non-renewable energy sources and do not pollute the environment. Someday a private residential building with a wind turbine and solar panels will look quite ordinary.
Photo of wind generators for home
The energy industry copes with its task quite confidently, but the scale of our country is such that it is not yet possible to fully supply all remote or hard-to-reach regions with electricity. This is due to many factors that are too expensive or technically unattainable to overcome in the current environment.
Therefore, more and more attention has to be paid to alternative sources capable of satisfying the needs of backward regions without the participation of backbone networks. A promising direction is wind energy using gratis.
The device and types of wind power plants
Wind power plants(WPP) use wind energy to generate electric current. Large stations consist of many, united into a single network and supplying large areas - villages, cities, regions. Smaller ones are able to provide small residential areas or individual houses. Stations are classified according to various criteria, for example, by functionality:
- mobile,
- stationary.
By location:
- coastal
- offshore
- terrestrial
- floating.
By construction type:
- rotary,
- vane.
The most widespread in the world are vane stations. They are more efficient and capable of producing a large enough amount of electricity to supply consumers across the entire energy industry. At the same time, the distribution of such stations has a specific configuration and is not found everywhere.
Principle of operation
As already mentioned, WPPs have a rotary or vane design. Rotary stations, as a rule, have devices with. They are in many ways more convenient than vane-type ones, since they do not emit strong noise during operation and are not demanding to be installed in the direction of the wind. At the same time, rotary structures are less efficient and can be used in small private stations.
Vane devices are capable of delivering maximum effect. They use the received energy much more efficiently than rotary samples, but need to be correctly oriented in relation to the flow, which means the presence of additional fixtures or equipment.
All types operate according to the same principle - the wind flow spins the moving part, which transfers rotation to the generator, as a result of which an electric current is formed in the system. It charges the batteries, from which the inverters are powered, converting the received current into a standard voltage and frequency suitable for consumption appliances.
To provide a large number of consumers, individual wind generators are connected into a system, forming a station - WPP.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Power Plants
The advantages of WPP include:
- independence from fossil resources;
- an absolutely free source of energy is used;
- ecological purity of the method - no harm is done to the environment.
At the same time, there are disadvantages:
- the unevenness of the wind creates certain difficulties in the generation of energy and forces the use of a large number; rechargeable batteries;
- wind turbines make noise during operation;
- low, it is very difficult to increase it;
- the cost of equipment and, accordingly, electricity, is much higher than the price of network electricity;
- the payback of equipment with an increase in its capacity is significantly reduced. ...
The use of small stations is capable of providing energy to a limited number of consumers; therefore, large settlements or regions require large devices. At the same time, high-power windmills need appropriate wind flows and uniformity of its movement, which is not typical for the conditions of our country. This is the main reason for the low spread of wind turbines in comparison with European countries.
Economic justification for the construction of a wind farm
From the economic point of view, the construction of a wind farm makes sense only in the absence of other methods of energy supply. The equipment is very expensive, maintenance and repairs require constant costs, and the service life is limited to 20 years, and this is in European conditions. For Russia, this period can be reduced by at least a third. That's why WPP use economically ineffective.
On the other hand, in the absence of alternative options or in the presence of optimal conditions that ensure high-quality and uniform operation of wind turbines, the use of wind farms becomes a completely acceptable way of supplying energy.
Important! We are talking specifically about large stations supplying entire regions. The situation with domestic or private stations looks more attractive.
Industrial station capacities
Industrial wind farms have a very high capacity, capable of providing large settlements or regions. For example, Wind farm "Gansu" in China has 7965 MW, "Enerkon E-126" produces 7.58 MW, and this is not the limit.
You should immediately make a reservation that we are talking about, other models generate much less energy. Nevertheless, combined in large stations, wind turbines are capable of producing quite a sufficient amount of electricity. The combined complexes generate a total capacity of 400-500 MW, which may well be comparable to the capacity of a hydroelectric power station.
Small plants have more modest indicators and can only be considered as point sources supplying a limited number of consumers.
Leading global manufacturers
In number the most famous wind turbine manufacturers and equipment for the wind energy industry include companies:
- Vestas,
- Nordex,
- Superwind,
- Panasonic,
- Ecotecnia,
- Vergnet.
Russian manufacturers are not yet ready to compete with these firms, since the issue of creating high-quality and efficient wind turbines in Russia has not yet been raised quite tightly.
Geography of application
Wind power is most widespread on the western coast of the Atlantic, in particular in Germany. There are best conditions- even and strong winds, optimal climatic indicators. But the main reason for the wide spread of wind farms in this region was the lack of opportunities for the construction of hydroelectric power plants, which forced the governments of the countries of this region to use available methods of generating electricity. At the same time, there are installations in the Baltic region, Denmark, Holland.
Russia is still lagging behind in this matter; over the past decade, hardly a dozen wind farms have been commissioned. The reason for this lag lies in the great development of hydropower and the lack of proper conditions for the operation of industrial wind power plants. However, there has been an increase in the production of small installations capable of supplying energy to individual estates.
Facts and misconceptions
The small distribution of wind power plants and the lack of experience of communication with them gave rise to a lot of misconceptions about the properties and effects of wind power plants on the human body. For example, there is a widespread belief in the unusually high level of noise produced by a running wind turbine. Indeed, there is a certain amount of noise, but its level is much lower than it is commonly believed. So, noise from industrial models at a distance of 200-300 m is perceived by ear in the same way as the sound from a working household refrigerator.
Another problem that ignorant people unreasonably inflate is the creation of insurmountable interference with radio and television signals. This issue was resolved before users found out about it - every powerful industrial wind turbine is equipped with a high-quality radio interference filter that can completely eliminate the effect of the device on the air.
People living in the vicinity of the turbines will constantly be in the shadow flicker zone. This is the term for the uncomfortable sensation of flashing light manifestations. The rotating blades create this effect, but its significance is greatly exaggerated. Even the most sensitive people can always simply turn away from the turbine if they happen to be near it.
There are others, contrived and quite real existing facts concerning the operation of WPPs, their impact on the human body and the surrounding nature. Some of them are common rumors, others are so exaggerated that they do not even deserve discussion. Wind power is a full-fledged industry capable of solving energy supply issues both on a solid scale and within a small country house.
Private wind farms
For Russia, the most pressing issue is the distribution of precisely small stations that provide one house or estate. The construction of large wind farms in the climatic conditions of our country is impractical and unprofitable. The greatest value of wind turbines lies in creating the ability to provide energy to backward or remote settlements where there is no network connection.
For such areas, the use of small private stations is in the best way resolving the issue, since the operation of the wind turbine does not require fuel, the device is easy and freely repairable. Providing such regions with additional equipment is much easier and cheaper than allocating large funds for the construction of power lines, especially when it comes to mountainous terrain. Small wind turbines are capable of generating enough energy without the need for maintenance or fuel costs, making them very promising and attractive solutions to the problem.
Review of prices for popular models
The cost of wind turbines is high. This moment is the most difficult to overcome for the diffusion of wind energy technologies. Many homeowners would gladly install wind turbines on their property, but do not have the funds to purchase them. An installation capable of providing illumination of the site costs about 100 thousand rubles.
A more powerful structure, allowing to supply the cottage with electricity, will cost 250 thousand.
A wind farm capable of supporting a small farm costs about 500 thousand rubles. And this is not the limit. At such prices, there is no reason to expect a rapid spread of wind turbines, so all hope is for the appearance of domestic models that can solve the problem of the high cost of equipment. Alternatively, you can buy a relatively inexpensive Chinese model. Such devices cannot be repaired, being, in fact, disposable, but their price is much lower than the cost of Western models of similar power.
How to make a wind farm?
The high cost of industrial models forces people who can use tools and have some knowledge to create homemade wind turbines. The costs of such a device are incomparable with the costs of factory models, and the effect obtained from homemade products often exceeds the indicators of famous foreign products.
To make the station you will need:
- set of equipment - charge controller, inverter, battery;
- a generator capable of operating at low speeds. Most often, automobile or tractor generators are used that have undergone some modernization;
- wind turbine - a rotating rotor mounted on a mast or base of the required dimensions.
Equipment for the station can be assembled independently or purchased ready-made. Making a generator from a finished device takes one day (if you have an idea of what needs to be done). A wind turbine is made from scrap materials - metal barrels, sheet metal, etc.
All structural elements are assembled together, the system is launched, its characteristics are assessed and, if necessary, the necessary changes are made. A self-assembled windmill is repaired completely without problems, since its entire design is known to the master, as they say, to the last screw.
WPP operation does not require special expenses, all investments are made at the same time. The service life of the system is calculated for 20 years, but when it is made by hand, it is practically unlimited, since the structure can be modernized or repaired at any time.
Fully autonomous wind farms with electricity generation over 100 kW / h.
A serious approach to providing energy independence for medium and large businesses, as well as for collective use in remote residential areas.
Wind power plants with a capacity of more than 100 kW should be considered as a production unit as part of a power supply complex for residential or industrial facilities, or as independent enterprise... In both cases, factors that determine the particular application should be taken into account:
- A wind generator, if used as an element of an autonomous power supply system, must have a backup element that will secure the system. Most often, this is a diesel generator, which should start automatically when the voltage in the network drops due to the lack of wind. Stable operation of the system requires accurate metering of the power and structure of consumers (active and reactive components of alternating current). In addition, application issues need to be addressed; excess electricity that can occur with uneven load during the day. It can be a heat accumulator (part of the heating and hot water system) or a storage station of sufficient capacity.
- A wind generator with a capacity of 100 kW or more, used as an additional generating installation, must have a switching device that switches modes: consumption (make-up) from the central network and return to the network of excess energy. A contract with an energy supply company and metering devices will be required.
Wind power plant large capacity can be an effective long-term investment with the correct calculation of costs and payback periods of the project. The scope is not limited to the power supply of residential buildings. The efficiency of investments increases dramatically when a wind farm of 100 kW or more is used to supply energy to consumers who are not demanding on current characteristics: for heating and lighting greenhouses, street lighting or energy-intensive industries that operate according to a mobile scheme.
The complete set and price of a wind farm is usually calculated individually for a specific task.
Wind turbine VETROX Arctic GE-50 (Made in Russia)
Equipment:
Hydraulic mast 18m
Controller
Price: 4 879 867 rub.
- The cost of 6 wind turbines VETROX Arctic GE-50: 29 879 202 rubles.
- Manufacturing of 6 wind turbines VETROX Arctic GE-50 including testing will take up to 100 calendar days.
- The installation is assembled from imported components at the Murmansk Machine-Building Plant.
- Delivery from Murmansk to the port of Arkhangelsk will take up to 3 days.
- Shipping cost: 470,000 rubles.
- The wind turbine has a 3-year warranty.
- Annual maintenance costs of the VETROX Arctic GE-50 wind turbine (1 unit) - RUB 97,000.
- Personnel training: 870,000 rubles.
Wind power plants 100 kW / 380V
Maintaining a constant supply of electricity in large healthcare facilities and hospitals is very important because the lives of patients depend on any power outage. To avoid such problems will help wind farm 100 kW.
Wind turbine 100 kW can be installed on the territory of a medical institution as the main or.
Also, the power of this power plant will be enough to supply current to large hotels, educational institutions, companies. The average number of jobs in such enterprises should be around 100-150.
The service life of such devices, subject to maintenance standards, is 25 years or more.
Wind farms are often used as remote sites. They are used on drilling rigs and as a supply of electricity for shift camps, where the supply of electricity is very often difficult due to a number of weather conditions.
Wind power plant 200 kW will be an ideal option for supplying electricity for large-scale construction work, where downtime will mean knocking out deadlines, large additional cash costs and a delay in the delivery plan.
The service life of such devices with constant diagnostic service is more than 25 years.
Wind farm price does not seem so transcendental if you count the amount of electricity that it will produce over its lifetime.
For medium and large businesses, a stable electricity supply is often important. With power outages, delivery times and orders get lost.
To solve the problem without interruption in power supply, there is wind farm 300 kW... Its capacity is quite enough to provide uninterrupted power supply to companies with 200 to 500 jobs.
The development of integrated circuits, the creation of databases and industrial concepts, for all this, it will be possible not to worry if a personal power plant is installed on the territory of the enterprise.
The service life of such devices with constant maintenance is from 20 to 25 years, combined with ultra-high reliability of the product.
Buy wind farm you can lease or credit, and our company will help you arrange all the accompanying documents.
Often in large enterprises that produce a large number of products, there are drops in electricity. In order to prevent stagnation and losses, power sources are often used industrial wind turbines.
This type of power plant can easily provide uninterrupted power supply to large financial facilities, such as factories engaged in the production of machinery and large-sized household appliances, processing and mass mining, etc.
Wind farm 500 kW will be able to provide a stable and secure network, and all this, coupled with the possibility of easy remote maintenance.
Wind farm price does not seem so transcendental if you count the amount of electricity that it will produce during its operation.
The service life of these devices with constant maintenance ranges from 20 to 25 years.
Wind energy is an environmentally friendly, inexhaustible energy. Wind power plants (mills, wind generators) are used to convert wind energy into electrical energy.
Windmills used to generate electricity are different sizes... Large wind turbines, which are commonly used in wind farms (power plants), can generate large amounts of electricity - hundreds of megawatts - that can power hundreds of homes. Small windmills, which generate no more than 100 kW of electricity, are used in private houses, farms, subsidiary plots, etc., serve as a source of additional electricity, help to reduce payments for the main source of electricity.
Very small wind turbines with a power of 20-500 W are used for recharging batteries and other areas where a large amount of electricity is not required.
Small wind farms will be cost effective if the following conditions are met:
- the wind in your location blows steadily and many days a year;
- there is enough space to install a wind turbine;
- local authorities allowed the installation of wind turbines;
- your energy costs are high;
- you are not connected to the mains or it is far from you;
- you are ready to invest in a wind turbine;
- in order to avoid problems with neighbors, the wind turbine should be located no closer than 250-300m to them.
Wind requirements
Whether your wind turbine is economically viable for your home depends most of all on the quality of the wind. In most cases, an average annual wind speed of 4.0-4.5 m / s (14.4-16.2 km / h) is the minimum for a wind turbine to be economically viable. Sites with wind maps of Russia and other countries will help you in wind analysis.
Also, the local meteorological station can help you, where you can view the archive of wind strength data. But you should pay attention to the location of the station, because various obstacles - trees, buildings, hills can cause distorted wind data.
For a more accurate estimate of the wind in your area, you need to purchase wind speed measuring devices. This is especially true if your area is hilly or has an unusual landscape.
The most important part in a wind speed meter is the anemometer. It consists of a cup (or paddle) propeller mounted on an axle, which is connected to a measuring mechanism. The blades of the anemometer rotate and generate a signal proportional to the wind speed. When buying an anemometer, it will not be superfluous to purchase a device that records readings from it, as well as a tripod, bracket, etc., where it will be mounted.
There are more expensive digital wind speed measuring devices. They also use an anemometer, but the data goes to a computer, where they are processed and stored. Recently, these devices are becoming more popular and cheaper. An example of wind speed data captured and displayed in real time can be found on the website gdeduet.ru
It doesn't matter which measuring instrument you use to estimate wind speed, but at least once a year you should compare your data with others. It is also important to place the measurement equipment high enough to avoid turbulence from trees, buildings and other obstructions. The most optimal placement of the measuring device is at the level of the center of the wind turbine rotor.
Place to place a wind turbine
The place where you are going to place your wind turbine is of great importance. Remember not to place it near trees, houses, etc. you will not get the full benefit of the wind turbine.
Also consider that:
- the strength of the wind is always greater at the top of the hills, near the coastline, in the steppes, in places where there are no trees and buildings.
- trees can grow, but a wind turbine cannot.
- it is necessary to inform the neighbors in advance about your plans, in order to avoid problems with them in the future.
- it is advisable to put the windmill at a sufficient distance from neighbors. Usually 250-300m is enough.
Don't expect your wind farm to generate enough electricity all the time. The wind speed in the same place can vary greatly and, as a result, the amount of electricity generated will also differ. And if the wind strength changes within 10%, then the generated electricity will change within 25%!
Types of wind turbines
There are 2 main types of wind turbines: with a horizontal axis of rotation and a vertical one. Horizontal windmills should be directed downwind. For this, a so-called "tail" is provided in their design.
Vertical wind turbines operate in any wind direction, but require more ground space as they work. it is necessary to provide stretch marks for the stability of the windmill.
The main components of a typical wind farm are shown in the figure below.
They include:
- rotor with blades that have an aerodynamic shape.
- reducer or a gearbox that matches the rotational speed between the rotor and the generator. Small wind turbines (up to 10 kW) usually do not have a gearbox.
- protective cover, which protects the gearbox, generator, electronics and other components of the wind generator from external influences.
- tail wind turbine - needed to turn it in the wind.
Horizontal axis wind turbines require a mast (vertical wind turbines are usually installed directly on the ground).
Masts are different types: on guy lines (which are rigidly fixed), a rotating mast on guy lines (can be raised and lowered for maintenance and repair), a free-standing mast without guy lines (they are heavy, but they do not take up much space on the ground).
The height of the mast is a very important factor. Wind energy is proportional to wind speed to the third power (cubed). That. if the wind speed doubles, then the wind energy will increase 8 times (2x2x2 = 8) (Figure 6). The wind speed increases with height, i.e. increasing the height of the mast can greatly increase the energy efficiency of the windmill.
Just in case, check your local legislation for mast height restrictions for wind farms. Use a mast design approved by the wind turbine manufacturer, otherwise you may void your warranty. Be sure to ground the mast and provide a lightning conductor.
For electrical safety, disconnectors and circuit breakers must be used. They will also provide safe access to the wind turbine for maintenance and upgrades.
Other components of the wind farm may also be needed. Batteries- will be able to accumulate surplus electricity from the wind turbine. But, since batteries use direct current, it is necessary to convert it to alternating current. inverter.
If the house, farm or household is connected to a common energy supply system, then on windy days, the surplus energy can be sold to the power grid (not relevant for our country). And when the wind is weak and there is not enough electricity from the wind turbine, then it will be necessary to buy electricity from the general grid.
Wind turbine cost
The cost of a small wind turbine is $ 2000- $ 8000 per 1 kW. However, this is only 12-48% of the cost of all components of a wind farm: inverters, batteries, chargers, ATS, etc.
But a big plus of a wind generator is that once you buy it, you practically won't have to pay for anything other than routine maintenance.
The performance of a wind turbine is usually described by the manufacturer as a plot of output versus wind speed.
One of the problems when choosing and comparing wind turbines is the lack of a single standard for measuring output power.
Manufacturers themselves choose at what wind speed to indicate the output power. Take "Wind-o-matic" and "Mighty-wind" for example - both have a declared power of 1000 watts. But for "Wind-o-matic" it is power at a wind speed of 5 m / s, while for "Mighty-wind" it is power at 10 m / s. Due to the fact that the wind energy is proportional to the wind speed in a cube, a windmill producing 1 kW at 10 m / s will give only 1/8 of the maximum power at 5 m / s. That. at a wind speed of 5 m / s "Wind-o-matic" will produce an honest 1000 kW, while "Mighty-wind" is only 125 watts!
It is more correct to compare wind generators in terms of the area and size of the blades. The larger the area, the more energy a wind turbine can generate. When the area of solar panels is doubled, the power doubles. Also in a wind generator - with an increase in the area of the blades, the output power increases.
If you do not know the area of the blades of a windmill, then you can compare by the diameter of the rotor. A slight increase in the rotor diameter leads to a significant increase in the energy output from the wind generator (see figure). The values indicated in the figure are approximate and should not be relied on, because the generated power of a wind turbine depends on many other factors.
Choosing the size of the wind turbine
To determine the right size for a wind turbine, first look at how much electricity you use per month. Then multiply the resulting value by 12 months.
You can get the approximate amount of electricity generated by a wind turbine by the formula:
AEO = 1.64 * D * D * V * V * V
Where: AEO - electricity per year (kW * h / year), D - rotor diameter (in meters), V - average annual wind speed (m / s)
That. you can choose the optimal size of the wind turbine that generates the required power for your home or farm. And it is possible to save money on the purchase.
Relations with neighbors
Many people demand respect for the things around them: landscape, view, historical places, silence, neighbors, etc. Be sure to talk to your neighbors about your plans to install a wind farm. Also, you should understand that people are characterized by fear of something new and unknown.
Many people think that windmills are harmful to birds. But really sliding doors more dangerous to birds than small windmills. Also, wind turbines have a negligible impact on radio and television broadcasting. The blades of all modern wind turbines are made of fiberglass or wood. These materials are transparent to electromagnetic waves.
Noise
The neighbors do not accept the noise from the wind turbine. Before installing a wind farm, familiarize your neighbors with the noise it can make:
- aerodynamic noise - arises from the air currents produced by the blades. Noises increase with rotor speed. Occasionally, due to air turbulence, some types of blades may make a hissing sound.
- mechanical noise - can occur in other components of the wind turbine (generator, gearbox, etc.)
How much noise can a wind farm produce?
At 250 meters from a typical wind farm, the sound pressure level is approximately 45 dB. Small wind turbines make no more noise than air conditioners.
The blades of a small wind turbine rotate at an average speed of 175-500 rpm, with a maximum of 1150 rpm. Large wind turbines rotate at a constant speed of 50-15 rpm
Service
Wind power plants require constant maintenance - regular inspections, lubrication of rubbing parts, etc. Check bolted connections and electrical contacts annually and tighten if necessary. Also check your wind turbine for corrosion and mast guy lines for tightness.
If the blades are made of wood, apply paint for protection. Apply strong tape to the edges of the blades to keep out abrasive dust and flying insects. If the paint cracks and the film comes off, the unprotected wood will deteriorate faster. Moisture entering the blade wood can cause imbalance in the rotor. Check the wind turbine blades annually.
After 10 years of operation, the blades and bearings must be replaced. At correct installation and operation of a wind farm can last 30 years or more. Proper maintenance will also minimize the noise from your wind turbine.
Security
All wind turbines have a maximum wind speed above which they cannot operate. When the wind speed exceeds this value, then the braking mechanism must be activated in the wind generator, which does not allow exceeding the critical value.
When using the wind turbine in cold areas, take care of the icing problem and place the battery pack in an isolated location.
Installing a wind turbine on the roof of a building is not recommended. But if it is of low power (up to 1 kW), then an exception can be made. The fact is that a wind generator can generate vibration, which can be transmitted to the surface on which it is installed.