Vertical and Horizontal Axis Wind Power Generators
There are two types of wind power generators; the vertical axel and the horizontal axis. To understand this you must first understand how these generators generates electrical energy.
Wind power generators consist of gigantic blades fixed on an axis that rotates and is horizontal to the earth. The axel is connected to a gearbox that is in turn connected to an electricity generating device called an alternator (a generator that generates alternating electricity. A device that generates Direct Current is called a Dynamo). The axel rotates 360 degrees to constantly face the wind. The onslaught of the wind turns the blades, which turn the axis, which turn the alternator through the gearbox thus creating electrical energy.
Modern generators stand 150 feet tall at the blade tip from the ground. The generator is placed atop the tower and connected directly to the blades and the horizontal axis. There are gyro devices that detect the direction of the wind and engage electric motors to turn the blades into the wind. This ensures constant power generation. The blades can be adjusted buy logic devices to control the speed of the blades even in high winds.
Vertical axel generators work in the same way except that they do not have ‘blades’ that rotate. Vertical axis generators have huge screens made of wood or some flexible material. These screens are set vertically from the ground and attached to a rotating axis that is also vertical to the Earth. The generating device is also vertical. These screens rotate very slowly but they produce a lot of power that is transmitted through a gear system to the generator that turns at a very high speed generating a lot of electrical current.
The more popular of the two are the horizontal wind generators. These must be installed at places where the prevailing winds record a minimum velocity of 5 miles per hour. The efficiency of wind power generators is 30 percent. This means that if the generator can generate 100 Kilo-watts of power it will actually generate just 30 Kilo-watts. So, if the power requirement in a year is 100,000 kilowatts the generator should be designed to produce 3 mega watts (one mega watt is one million watts). Wind power generators manufactured for commercial purposes and generate power that is fed to the national grid usually generate 250 mega-watts of power.
Smaller wind power generators are made for domestic use. These can be small enough to power the entire house or smaller to just charge batteries for power backup. In most cases small wind power generators will have to come with a battery pack and an inverter. This is necessary for times when the wind velocity is not strong enough to generate electrical power.
Small wind power generators usually stand 30 feet from the ground with the lowest tip of the blade just 20 feet high. These should be installed at least 12 feet higher than the closest tree-top of building top and preferably at the top of a hill slope where the wind rises with great speeds.
The three blade wind power generator is the most efficient design because these do not produce power loss. Maximum power is generated when one blade is at the top of the tower. In a four blade generator when one blade is at the top one will be in line with the tower. This shadow of the tower causes a lot of loss to the blade in line with it. So, a three blade system was developed to counter this problem.
Michael Boyter owns http://www.aboutgenerators.com and there discusses specs, ratings, reviews and general information about power generators of all models, brands and types. For more information on Wind Power Generators please visit http://www.aboutgenerators.com/wind-power-generators.html
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