Date:-________

PRACTICAL:-10

 AIM :- To Explain various Wind Energy conversion systems.

 Principle of Wind Energy:
 Wind is simply defined as moving air. When the earth heats up from sunrays it
releases wind, this is a balanced reaction meant to cool the earth. The sun heat is
felt more on dry land than on the sea. The air expands and easily reaches
maximum high altitudes, then cool air drops down and moves as wind.
 Wind energy is generated by converting kinetic energy through friction process
into useful forms such as electricity and mechanical energy. These two energy
sources are put in to use by humans to achieve various purposes. In the past,
people constructed wind mills to generate energy meant for grinding rains. They
also constructed mechanical wind pumps to be uses to pump large amounts of
water into the farms.

 Egyptians also used wind to sail their ships. Wind mills were constructed later
with propeller blades for generating electricity. This was a great development and
electricity was even used in remote areas. Because of the current shortage of oil
and its cost today, wind electricity has become the preferred source of energy in
most countries worldwide.

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 Causes of wind:
 Wind can be broadly classified as Planetary and Local winds.
1. Local Winds:

 Local winds are small scale convective winds of local origin caused by
temperature differences. Local terrain has a very strong influence on local winds,
and the more varied the terrain, the greater the influence.
 Convective winds are all winds - up, down, or horizontal - that develop as a result
of local temperature differences.

 Common Local Winds

 Winds of local origin, convective winds, can be as important in fire behavior as
the winds produced by the large-scale pressure patterns.
 In many areas, they are the predominant winds in that they overshadow the
general winds. If their interactions are understood and their patterns known, local
convective winds can be predicted with reasonable accuracy.

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2. Planetary Winds:

 We have seen how local winds are caused by local changes in temperature.
Similar air movements can occur on a worldwide scale in response to worldwide
variations in temperature.

 These vast movements are called planetary winds, and they are driven by the
circulation of air in atmospheric units called cells. The Northern and the Southern
Hemispheres each have three mirrored cells based on latitude: one between the
equator (0°) and 30°, another between 30° and 60°, and a third between 60° and
90°. The North Pole is 90° N, and the South Pole is 90° S.
 The temperature variations that produce the planetary winds arise in various ways.
The most important is the different effects of the sun's heat in the tropics and in
the Polar Regions.

 Throughout the year, the most intensely heated part of the Earth is the tropical
zone, which extends from 30° N to 30° S. The continuous heat from the sun in this
area keeps the tropical air warm and light. Cooler, heavier air continually moves
toward the tropical zone from the north and south, pushing the lighter and warmer
air upward.

 Because of these upward currents, the middle of the heat belt—the equator—
experiences little wind. As the ascending currents cool, their moisture condenses,
drenching the zone continually with showers. Sailing vessels were often becalmed
for weeks in these latitudes, prompting sailors to call the area the doldrums, a term
stemming from an old word meaning “dull” and “stupid.”

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 ADVANTAGES OF WIND POWER:
 The wind is free and with modern technology it can be captured efficiently.
 Once the wind turbine is built the energy it produces does not cause greenhouse
gases or other pollutants.
 Although wind turbines can be very tall each takes up only a small plot of land.
This means that the land below can still be used. This is especially the case in
agricultural areas as farming can still continue.
 Many people find wind farms an interesting feature of the landscape.
 Remote areas that are not connected to the electricity power grid can use wind
turbines to produce their own supply.
 Wind turbines have a role to play in both the developed and third world.
 Wind turbines are available in a range of sizes which means a vast range of people
and businesses can use them. Single households to small towns and villages can
make good use of range of wind turbines available today.

 DISADVANTAGES OF WIND POWER:

 The strength of the wind is not constant and it varies from zero to storm force.
This means that wind turbines do not produce the same amount of electricity all
the time. There will be times when they produce no electricity at all.
 Many people feel that the countryside should be left untouched, without these
large structures being built. The landscape should left in its natural form for
everyone to enjoy.
 Wind turbines are noisy. Each one can generate the same level of noise as a family
car travelling at 70 mph.
 Many people see large wind turbines as unsightly structures and not pleasant or
interesting to look at. They disfigure the countryside and are generally ugly.
 When wind turbines are being manufactured some pollution is produced.
Therefore wind power does produce some pollution.
 Large wind farms are needed to provide entire communities with enough
electricity. For example, the largest single turbine available today can only
provide enough electricity for 475 homes, when running at full capacity. How
many would be needed for a town of 100 000 people?

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 Conclusion:

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