Alternate Energy

sources
WIND ENERGY

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 Introduction to Wind energy
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of
energy, such as electricity, using wind turbines.

In other words, Energy received from the movement of the wind across the
earth. This energy is a result of the heating of our oceans, earth, and
atmosphere by the sun.

The Earth is unevenly heated by the sun, such that the poles receive less
energy from the sun than the equator; along with this, dry land heats up
(and cools down) more quickly than the seas do. The differential heating
drives a global atmospheric convection system reaching from the Earth's
surface to the stratosphere which acts as a virtual ceiling. Most of the
energy stored in these wind movements can be found at high altitudes
where continuous wind speeds of over 160 km/h (100 mph) occur.
Eventually, the wind energy is converted through friction into diffuse heat
throughout the Earth's surface and the atmosphere.

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 History of Wind Energy
 Humans have been using wind power for at least 5,500 years to propel
sailboats and sailing ships, and architects have used wind-driven
natural ventilation in buildings since similarly ancient times. Windmills
have been used for irrigation pumping and for milling grain since the 7th
century AD.
 In July 1887, a Scottish academic, Professor James Blyth, undertook wind
power experiments that culminated in a UK patent in 1891.
 In the 1890s, the Danish scientist and inventor Poul la Cour constructed
wind turbines to generate electricity, which was then used to produce
hydrogen.[5] These were the first of what was to become the modern form
of wind turbine.
 The modern wind power industry began in 1979 with the serial production
of wind turbines by Danish manufacturers Kuriant, Vestas, Nordtank, and
Bonus. These early turbines were small by today's standards, with
capacities of 20–30 kW each. Since then, they have increased greatly in
size, while wind turbine production has expanded to many countries.

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 Usage of Wind Energy
 There are now many thousands of wind turbines
operating, with a total nameplate capacity of
121,188 MWp of which wind power in Europe
accounts for 55% (2008). World wind generation
capacity more than quadrupled between 2000 and
2006, doubling about every three years. 81% of wind
power installations are in the US and Europe.
 The United States, Germany, Spain, China, and India
—have seen substantial capacity growth in the past
two years.
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 Advantages
 Wind is free, wind farms need no fuel.

 Produces no waste or greenhouse gases.

 The land beneath can usually still be used for farming.

 Wind farms can be tourist attractions.

 A good method of supplying energy to remote areas.

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 Disadvantages
 The wind is not always predictable - some days have no wind.

 Suitable areas for wind farms are often near the coast, where land is
expensive.

 Can kill birds - migrating flocks tend to like strong winds.

 Can be noisy. Wind generators have a reputation for making a constant,

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 Wind power in India
 The development of wind power in India began in the 1990s, and has
significantly increased in the last few years. Although a relative newcomer
to the wind industry compared with Denmark or the US, a combination of
domestic policy support for wind power and the rise of Suzlon (a leading
global wind turbine manufacturer) have led India to become the country
with the fifth largest installed wind power capacity in the world.
 As of November 2008 the installed capacity of wind power in India was
9587.14 MW, mainly spread across Tamil Nadu (4132.72 MW),
Maharashtra (1837.85 MW), Karnataka (1184.45 MW), Rajasthan (670.97
MW), Gujarat (1432.71 MW), Andhra Pradesh (122.45 MW),
Madhya Pradesh (187.69 MW), Kerala (23.00 MW), West Bengal (1.10
MW), other states (3.20 MW) It is estimated that 6,000 MW of additional
wind power capacity will be installed in India by 2012.[3] Wind power
accounts for 6% of India's total installed power capacity, and it generates
1.6% of the country's power.

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 Production of wind energy
in top three states
 Tamil Nadu (4132.72 MW): India is keen to decrease its reliance on fossil fuels to
meet its energy demand. Shown here is a wind farm in Muppandal, Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu is the state with most wind generating capacity: 4132.72 MW at the end
of 2008.[2] Not far from Aralvaimozhi, the Muppandal wind farm which the largest
in Asia is located near the once impoverished village of Muppandal, supplying the
villagers with electricity for work.
 Maharashtra (1837.85 MW): Maharashtra is second only to Tamil Nadu in
terms of generating capacity. Suzlon has been heavily involved.[7] Suzlon operates
what was once Asia's largest wind farm, the Vankusawade Wind Park (201 MW),
near the Koyna reservoir in Satara district of Maharashtra.[
 Gujarat (1432.71 MW):Samana in Rajkot district is set to host energy companies
like China Light Power (CLP) and Tata Power have pledged to invest up to Rs.8.15
billion ($189.5 million) in different projects in the area. CLP, through its India
subsidiary CLP India, is investing close to Rs.5 billion for installing 126 wind
turbines in Samana that will generate 100.8 MW power. Tata Power has installed
wind turbines in the same area for generating 50 MW power at a cost of Rs.3.15
billion.

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Chart of wind power potential in
India

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 Utilization
 Despite the high installed capacity, the actual utilization of
wind power in India is low because policy incentives are
geared towards installation rather than operation of the plants.
This is why only 1.6% of actual power production in India
comes from wind although the installed capacity is 6%. The
government is considering the addition of incentives for
ongoing operation of installed wind power plants.
 Future
 The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has
fixed a target of 10,500 MW between 2007-12, but an
additional generation capacity of only about 6,000 MW might
be available for commercial use by 2012.

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