Wind Energy & Wind Power Information, Wind Power Systems

By: EconomyWatch   Date: 30 April 2010

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Wind Power refers to the transition of the energy present in natural wind to commercially useful electrical energy. Wind turbines are generally used to perform the conversion. Wind power currently meets approximately 1% of total worldwide electrical energy consumption. The average industry growth of this particular renewable energy is 25% spread over 5 years.

Wind Power can be produced either in huge commercial scale large wind farms or smaller turbines for a much smaller electricity consumption base. Wind farms are generally connected to national or regional electrical grids. A wind farm is a cluster of wind turbines in a same location.

Effective wind power generation is greatly dependent on proper selection of wind turbine sites. The primary requirement is the availability of wind. Other essential considerations include the presence of electrical transmission lines and land acquisition expenses. The environmental impact of such a venture may also be kept in mind.

Wind power involves no running fuel costs. Heavy expense is incurred only on initial construction. The estimated cost must include the total construction cost and the theoretical assumption of profitable service period. The capital cost is usually incorporated into the billing cycle.

The marginal cost is calculated to be approximately around 1 cent per kilowatt-hour. The energy generated from wind frequently finds monetary support from different governments. Subsidies are given to promote the eco-friendly electrical energy producing industry.

Wind power generation capacity suffers from uncontrollable external factors. The flow of wind over a certain area may vary in time. This variation is applicable from day to day and from hour to hour.

Significant seasonal variations are also seen. Wind power energy generating equipment requires a high level of energy demand management and sophisticated storage solutions.

The electrical energy created by wind turbines is stored for future use. The energy is released when required. This storage increases the economic value of the product. This storage costs approximate 25% of the cost of energy produced.


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