Wind energy is one of the most important and environmentally friendly forms of renewable energy. By using natural wind currents, wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy. This form of energy production is not only emission-free, but also almost inexhaustible and can be used worldwide. With the continuous development of technology and growing investments in wind farms on land and at sea, wind energy plays a crucial role in the global transition to sustainable energy systems and in the fight against climate change.
1.History
The history of wind energy goes back a long way. 000 years the Persians used windmills for irrigation and milling of grain, and in the Middle Ages windmills spread across Europe and Asia. In the late 19th century, the first wind turbines were built to generate electricity. The first commercial wind farms were established in the 1980s, and the 21st century saw a boom in wind energy. Offshore wind farms in particular offer enormous potential. Today, wind energy is a central pillar of the global energy transition and plays a crucial role in the fight against climate change.
2. How it works
The operation of wind turbines is based on the conversion of kinetic energy from wind into electrical energy.
When the wind hits the rotor blades of the wind turbine, it exerts a force on the blades, causing them to move. The rotor blades are aerodynamically designed, similar to aircraft wings, to allow for maximum energy gain. The length and shape of the rotor blades are crucial for the efficiency of energy production. They are attached to a hub, which rotates by the movement of the blades. In many wind turbines, the slow rotation movement of the rotor blades is brought to a higher speed by means of a gearbox, which is better suited for generating electricity.
There are also gearless wind turbines (direct drive based systems). Finally the rotational motion is transferred to a generator. In the generator, mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy by electromagnetic induction. The electricity generated by the generators is usually not directly suitable for the power grid. A converter converts the generated current into alternating current with the required mains frequencies and voltages. A transformer then increases the voltage to efficiently transport the current over long distances. The transformed electricity is then fed into the power grid, where it is used to supply households, companies and industrial plants.
Thus, the kinetic energy of wind can be efficiently converted into electrical energy and used to meet energy needs.
Modern wind turbines also have complex control systems that optimize the alignment of rotor blades (pitch control) and the entire rotor (yaw control) to maximize energy recovery and minimize mechanical stresses. Wind turbines are also equipped with various safety systems to prevent damage in extreme weather conditions. These include braking systems, lightning protection systems and automatic shutdowns in case of strong wind. Regular monitoring and maintenance are crucial for the efficient and safe operation of wind turbines. Modern systems are often equipped with sensors and remote diagnostic systems to detect and resolve problems early on.
3. Wind energy in Germany
In Germany, wind power plays an important role in electricity generation. According to the German Wind Energy Association (BWE), wind energy covered around 25% of Germany’s electricity demand in 2020. The efficiency of wind turbines has continuously improved in recent years, making them a cost-effective and environmentally friendly energy source. With over 30,000 wind turbines on land and thousands of offshore wind turbines, Germany is one of the leading producers of wind energy worldwide. Despite some challenges such as the limited availability of suitable sites and acceptance problems among the population, wind power remains an important component of the energy
transition in Germany. Examples of wind farms in Germany are, for example, the “high seas”, “Borkum Riffgrund” and “Veja Mate”.
4. Offshore wind parks
Offshore wind turbines are wind turbines installed in the sea to generate clean energy from wind. These installations are placed near the coast or on the high seas to benefit from the strong and constant winds over the water. This allows them to offer higher and more even energy production compared to onshore plants. This leads to higher utilization and efficiency of wind turbines. Offshore wind turbines have the advantage of being able to use larger and more powerful turbines, resulting in more efficient energy production. They help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and drive the transition to renewable energy. Another advantage of offshore wind farms is the possibility to install large capacities, as there is more space at sea and larger plants can be used. This allows offshore wind farms to make a significant contribution to meeting a country’s energy needs.
In many countries, especially in Europe, offshore wind farms have become an important part of the economy and are helping to increase the share of renewable energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. They play a key role in the transition to sustainable and low-
carbon energy.
5. Advantages and disadvantages of wind energy
Advantages
1. Renewable and environmentally friendly energy source: wind power is almost inexhaustible and can be used continuously as long as the wind blows. Wind turbines also do not produce greenhouse gases or other harmful emissions, making them a clean energy source.
2. Reducing dependence on fossil fuels: By using wind energy, countries can reduce their dependence on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas
3. Low operating costs: After installation, wind turbines cause relatively low operating costs. Wind is free and maintenance costs are low compared to other energy sources.
4. Job creation: The wind energy industry creates jobs in areas such as manufacturing, installation, maintenance and operation of wind turbines.
5. Fast installation: wind turbines can be installed relatively quickly, which increases the responsiveness to increasing energy requirements.
6. Technological advances: Continuous innovation leads to more efficient and powerful wind turbines that can generate more energy from lower wind speeds.
Disadvantages
1. Intermittent power source: wind energy is not constantly available as it depends on wind conditions, which can change daily and seasonally.
2. Visual impairment and space requirements: wind turbines can change the landscape and are perceived by some people as aesthetically disturbing. Wind farms also require a lot of space, which can lead to conflicts in densely populated or scenic areas.
3. High initial investment: The construction and installation of wind turbines requires a high initial investment, although it can be refunded in the long term due to low operating costs.
4. Noise: wind turbine rotor blades produce noise that can be unpleasant in the vicinity of residential areas
5. Danger to wildlife: Wind turbines can pose a risk to birds and bats, which may collide with the rotor blades.
6. Grid integration: Integrating large volumes of wind energy into the electricity grid requires adjustments and
investments in infrastructure to ensure the stability and reliability of the power supply.
written by Frauke & Felix
Sources
https://www.wind-energie.de https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windenergie https://www.anna-steiner.de/wartungsarm-und-leistungsstark/#
Wie funktionieren Windkraftanlagen und welche Relevanz haben sie für die Energiewende?
https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/windrad-versus-rotmilan-sind-vogelschutz-und-windenergie-100.html
https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/wirtschaft/offshore-windpark-auktion-rechte-100.html
https://www.ingenieur.de/technik/fachbereiche/energie/onshore-und-offshore-die-groessten-windparks-in-deutschland/
https://www.geo.de/wissen/17579-rtkl-endlich-verstehen-warum-haben-windraeder-nur-drei-fluege
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