What is wind energy?

wind energy is one of the clean and renewable sources of energy. Its kinetic energy is associated with a movement of large masses of air resulting from the differential heating of the atmosphere by the sun.

Hence, wind energy is nothing but the converted form of solar energy. It is estimated that about 10⁶to 10⁷mw of usable power is continuously available in the Earth’s wind.

Though the total quantity of this resource is quite large but it is concentrated in certain regions and varies to a great extent with time and location. For the utilization of wind energy, the speed of wind must be between 8 to 22 meter per second. But it is such a source of renewable energy that hold the promise of meeting a significant portion of energy demand in the direct, grid- connected modes as well as standalone and remote applications such as water pumping, desalination and telecommunications in developing countries.

It is estimated that wind power in many countries is already competitive with fossil power. International organizations have also estimated that wind power will become competitive sooner in the back drop of the rising oil prices.

According to estimate of the Ministry of Non- conventional Energy Sources wind energy potential in India is 45,600 mw but the technical potential assuming is 20% of grid penetration is estimated at 13000 mw with the augmentation of grid capacity, this estimate will increase.

This wild energy is of great significance for developing countries like India as it can be used in various types of works. The shaft power from the wind turbine can be utilized for a variety of purposes including electricity generation AC and DC, direct pumping, direct mechanical work etc.

The most common wind turbine system involves a tower mounted multi blade rotor facing into the wind and turning an electrical generator. Small windmills with direct mechanical drive matched to a pump and tank storage are in extensive use in many parts of the world.

This hold significant potential for pumping water for irrigation, drinking needs etc. improved types of soil water pumping wind, mills have also been developed in several countries including India. Wind energy is also a high quality of mechanical energy that can be converted into electrical energy with minimal energy losses.

The rotor of a wind-mill which moves periodically, its outputs is converted into alternative current either using a great box or fixing the rotational speed. Its applications ranges from small scale use in the rural and remote areas inter connected with other power plants to large scale generation of electricity.

It can also be used for battery charging by driving brushless DC generators, to supply electricity power to isolated communities, weather stations, navigation and communication aids etc.

A number of countries like Denmark, Sweden, and USA have launched major wind energy testing programmes in an effort to integrate large scale wind generated electric power into grid power supply. The combination of wind power system and hydroelectric system is considered as high potential, as stored water can be used in low wind periods.

Favorable wind regimes on islands, coastal area and mountains can be used in setting up of large numbers of wind turbines. However, in India first wind farms were installed in 1986 in coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Orissa. In India there are many potential areas where wind energy plant can be established such as, coastal areas in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, West Bengal, MP and Rajasthan. But, the largest installation of wind turbines in the country so far has been established in near Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu with a capacity of 425 mw.

This represents one of the largest concentration of wind form capacity at a, single location next only to that of California, USA. Another wind turbine has been set up at Kayattar in Tamil Nadu and wind power project with a capacity of 200 mw have been commissioned in Satara district of Maharashtra.

Other commercial wind power projects have been established at Jagimatti in Karnataka, Lamba and Mandavi in Gujarat and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Now about 2500 mw of wind powered energy has been added in the country which has placed India in the fifth position globally after Germany, USA, Denmark and Spain.

However, there are many limitations with harnessing of wind energy. First of all, wind energy farms can be established only at those places where wind blows for greater part of the year and secondly, the wind should be strong and steady to maintain desired levels of production. The minimum wind velocity required for a functional wind mill is about 15 km/hour. The establishment of wind energy forms also requires large areas of land besides a high cost of construction but once established, it is easy to maintain. The major problem with wind power is the low load factors of 20-30% and not so great reliability because of unpredictable wind pattern.