Browsing Tag Vertical Axis

Winds are largely known for their destructive capabilities but they have their benefits in the field of renewable energy Harnessing wind energy also has its benefits but then again certain constraints exist in the harnessing of this energy source.

Wind power is terrific Consider the different examples of wind power from the sailboat gilding across the oceans. To the relief that is provided on a hot day by the gentle breeze or whenever a pinwheel starts spinning to the excitement of a child. Also think of the umbrellas that are turned inside out and the tiles that are blown off rooftops. Another important thing as well is the tornadoes that cause ruins due to their strong gusts. When you use the power of the wind to your advantage, you have a fuel that doesn’t cause pollution and one which produces clean energy when compared to fossil fuels.

Wind energy has existed over time. People have used it for everything from the saling of ships, to the grinding of wheat and the pumping of water. Wind energy is currently the world’s fastest growing form of energy and it can be used to produce electricity. It is also a renewable resource that became a lot more popular when there was an oil crisis during the 70′s.

Wind energy can easily be captured through the use of wind turbine machines. Two types of these machines are available. The horizontal axis machine has propellers tha are equipped with three blades. These machines are usually about 20 stories tall and just about 200 feet in width. The vertical axis machine is made up of blades that start all the way from the bottom and rise to the top. These are about 100 feet tall and tend to be about 50 feet in width. Propellers on wind turbines are quite large and they trap a great volume of air as well. They can also be angled or made to face the wind in order to derive the maximum effect.

These machines function by making use of a blade to hold the kinetic energy of the wind. The wind turns the blades and these blades in turn are connected to a drive shaft which turns a generator in order to create electricity. For wind turbines to be successful they need speeds of more than 12 miles per hour. If winds are too high the turbines are usually able to prevent the blades from getting damaged or turning too fast with the use of a brake.

Wind power plants are made up of about a dozen wind turbine machines which are collectively referred to as wind farms. All these farms are collectively owned by businessmen who are known as Independent Power Producers. Electricity that is produced on a wind farm is then collected and transmitted by the use of long distance power lines. It is essential that these power lines are located and transmitted in an area where the wind is most likely to be captured. You can easily find them located on high altitudes and areas that are open such as hilltops, open plains and shorelines.

Wind power has a lot of numerous advantages. It is a clean form or energy that doesn’t pollute or cause global warming. Though it is large it allows the land located under the wind turbines to be utilized for farming purposes. A disadvantage of wind turbines is that they tend to affect the wild bird population. Certain people also consider wind turbines eyesores.

Tidal energy is a form of ocean energy that is in use today. It is a renewable energy option that has its benefits and its applications. Some of these applications as well as these benefits are considered here.

A lot of energy is available in waves of the oceans and by harnessing this power you can use another of the Earth’s most renewable energy sources.

Anyone who has ever been to the ocean will testify to the power of the waves that crahs along the shoreline as the tides come in. The tides of the ocean are as a result of the gravitational pull of the sun and moon and they are also a result of the Earth’s rotation too. These forces cause ocean waters to rise and be lowered from time to time. Tides have different cycles of twelve and one half hours everyday; they also occur twice a day and can be easily predicted.

The use of tidal power was visible as early as the 12th century when tidal mills would use the force of the tides in order to grind grain and corn. The 18th century resulted in competition from windmills as well as waterwheels. Tidal mills became somewhat extinct with the invention of cheap steam engines. In 1967 France was the first to use tidal wave power on a large scale in order to produce electricity.

Generation of electricity from tidal waves is somewhat similar to hydroelectric power generation. Bigger dams which are known as barrages are built at the bottom of a tidal basins. Gates on the barrage permit the tidal basin to fill during the incoming high tides. Likewise this basin will tend to empty through a turbine during a period of ongoing tide. In turn this creates an electric generation that helps in the production of electricity. Systems also exist which generate electricity from incoming and outgoing tides as well. Negative effects may result with the plants and animals present in the area.

Tidal fences may be used to generate electricity as well. Vertical axis turbines are mounted on these fences and passing water is passed through these turbines. Ideal locations for these tend to be channels placed between the two landmasses. Tidal fences tend to be cheaper than tidal barrages but they cause a lesser environmental impact on marine life.

Tidal turbines are a relatively new technology that is used for tidal energy. These turbines operate somewhat similarly to wind turbines and they are arranged in rows underwater. They work better in areas that have strong tides. They may be heavier and costlier to build but they tend to capture much more energy. They damage less of the environment that other methods as they do not affect migration paths of sea life.

Tidal power requires a tide difference of at least 16 feet in order to function. However there are very few places where this can occur. You can’t just construct tidal power plants anywhere. A handful of places exist which are capable of the production of this power range. France happens to be the only successful country that has harnessed this tidal power effectively. Currently people hope that certain technological developments will through research develop better ways to harness tidal power as a replacement for fossil fuels.