Wind turbines work on a basic theory. Two or three propeller-like blades spin around a turbine as a result of the wind’s force. The rotor is attached to the main shaft, which produces electricity by rotating a generator.
Wind Direction
Determines the turbine’s configuration. Upwind turbines, such as this one, face the wind, while downwind turbines face away from it.
The Blades
When wind blows over them, they lift and rotate, allowing the rotor to spin. The majority of turbines have two or three blades.
The Rotor
The rotor is made up of the blades and the hub.
Low-Speed Shaft
The low-speed shaft is rotated at 30-60 rpm.
Gearbox
Connects the low-speed shaft to the high-speed shaft, increasing rotational speeds from 30-60 revolutions per minute (rpm) to 1,000-1,800 rpm, which is the rotational speed used by most generators to generate electricity. The gear box is an expensive (and heavy) component of a wind turbine, so engineers are looking at “direct-drive” generators that run at lower rotational speeds and do not need gear boxes.
The engine is powered by a high speed shaft.
Generator
A 60-cycle AC generator is normally an off-the-shelf induction generator that produces 60-cycle AC electricity.
Anemometer
This piece of equipment tests wind speed and transfers the information to the controller.
The Pitch System
Blades are rotated (or pitched) away from the wind to regulate rotor speed to prevent the rotor from rotating in winds that are too strong or too low to create electricity.
The Brake
In an emergency, the rotor is stopped manually, electrically, or hydraulically.
The Wind Vain
The wind vane measures wind speed and works with the yaw drive in order to better position the turbine in relation to the wind.
The Yaw Drive
When the wind direction shifts, it orients upwind turbines to keep them facing the wind. Downwind turbines don’t need a yaw drive because the rotor is manually blown away from it by the wind.
Yaw Motor
The yaw drive is driven by the yaw motor.
The Tower
Tubular steel (as shown), concrete, or steel lattice are used to build this structure. The arrangement of the turbine is supported by this component. Taller towers enable turbines to absorb more energy and produce more electricity because wind speed increases with height.
Nacelle
The gear box, low- and high-speed shafts, engine, controller, and brake are all situated atop the platform. Some of the nacelles are big enough to land a helicopter on.
Images sourced from:
https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/inside-wind-turbine/
