Publisher's Synopsis
This book explains all the important technology and practical tips related to wind power. Here you will learn everything you need to know to design, select, and install a wind turbine for your specific needs. "Wind Power Technologies Explained Simply" is designed as: 1. An overview for decision-makers at all levels 2. A practical guide do-it-yourself types, and 3. An easy read for curious citizens. This book will also be a valuable reference work for students entering the growing workforce in wind power technologies, including the areas of design, manufacturing, and installation of wind turbines. The first chapter explains all the basic concepts of wind power, including a discussion of the factors which affect the amount of power produced. The second chapter discusses several practical details when installing wind turbines. Topics include placement, height, orientation, storms, durability, and bird strikes. This chapter also discusses what to do when there is no wind. The third chapter discusses blade design. Topics include blade shape, number of blades, angle of attack, tip speed ratio, and basic aerodynamics. This chapter also discusses methods for calculating wind power from measured data. The fourth chapter discusses offshore wind turbines. Topics include: storm resistance, placement of undersea cables, shipping lanes, and visual obstruction of turbines. The final chapter explains additional wind power terms and concepts. Some of the concepts include: camber, lift force, stall, cut-out speed, and Reynolds Number. Table of Contents 4.1 Wind Power Basics a. Introduction b. Brief Description of Wind Power c. Quantity of Wind Power, Wind Power Equation d. Wind Power Units e. Density of the air f. Area swept by the rotor of the wind turbine g. Velocity of the wind 4.2 Practical Considerations of Wind Power Operation a. Introduction b. Placement c. Obstructions and Height d. Orientation e. Blades f. Cold Weather, High Winds, Storms g. Lightning h. What to do for no wind i. Birds j. Durability k. Radio interference 4.3 Blade Design a. Introduction b. Area: Blade Size and General Shape c. Area versus Velocity d. Velocity, Area, and Final General Blade Shape e. Blades Fixed at an Angle: Angle of Attack f. Basic Operation the Wind Turbine g. Aerodynamics: Introduction h. Tapered Blade Thickness i. Tip Speed Ratio j. Number of Blades k. Horizontal Axis vs. Vertical Axis l. Calculating Wind Velocity m. Obtaining Wind data available and graphs 4.4 Offshore Wind Turbines a. Introduction b. Limited Maintenance c. Resisting the force of tides and storms d. Ocean water conducts electricity easily e. Placement of undersea cables f. Where Offshore Turbines are Best Placed g. How Far Out to Place Offshore Turbines h. Shipping Lanes and Offshore Turbines i. Visual Obstruction of Turbines 4.5 Additional Wind Power Terms a. Introduction b. Airfoil (blade) design terms c. Aerodynamics, speed, and efficiencies Conclusion Appendix: Obstruction Angles of Wind Turbines Bibliography
