Wind turbines are important devices in the renewable energy industry, helping to convert the kinetic energy of wind into electricity. Wind turbine structure consists of many main parts such as blades, shaft, gearbox, generator and support tower, each part plays an important role in the operation process. Understanding the structure of wind turbines not only helps optimize operating efficiency but also contributes to promoting the development of clean and sustainable energy. Let's join Green In Discover wind turbines through the article below!
1. What is a wind turbine?
Wind turbine - is a type of turbine that operates similar to the windmills we often see. Wind turbines are objects that help create renewable wind energy. This type of turbine helps convert the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy thanks to the rotation speed of the blades. Then the mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy.
Wind turbines have become a popular product with the function of a generator that uses and regenerates wind power well. This product scores big points thanks to its development during the current period of industrial development.
2. Wind turbine structure and operating principle
Wind turbines are a special type of product, although the product has a rather complex structure, its operation is quite simple. Let's find out through the introduction below!
2.1. What does a wind turbine consist of?
Wind turbines consist of many components, of which there are 6 main components: Turbine tower, turbine base, nancelle, hub, transformer, rotor and fan blades. To explain more clearly about these components, the structure can be divided into smaller components such as:
Wind turbines are mechanical devices with a not too complicated structure, including:
- Pitch angle: The part that adjusts the pitch angle of the fan blades to control the rotor speed in strong wind conditions, helping to protect the system and ensure that the output power is always maintained at an optimal level.
- Hub: The center of the rotor, usually made of cast iron or steel, transmits power from the blades to the generator. In geared turbine designs, the Hub is directly connected to the slowly rotating gearbox shaft to convert the kinetic energy of the wind into torque. In direct drive systems, the Hub sends power directly to the generator.
- Rotor: The component connected to the fan blade, generating electricity by taking advantage of the principle of aerodynamics. When the wind flow acts on the fan blade, the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces will create lift, helping the rotor to rotate.
- Blades: Are the blades of a wind turbine, designed to maximize wind power and transmit rotational motion to the turbine's shaft system to generate electricity.
- Brake system (brake) - Brake: Safety brake system, used to stop the rotor in emergency situations to protect the turbine from damage.
- Gear box: The transmission is responsible for connecting the rotational motion from the rotor to the generator, helping to increase the rotational speed to generate electricity more efficiently.
- Yaw drive: The system automatically adjusts the rotor direction to always catch the main wind flow, optimizing the turbine's operating efficiency.
- Yaw motor: The motor supports yaw drive, ensuring accurate and timely wind direction positioning.
- Turbine tower (support column) - Tower: The column that supports the entire nacelle system, made of steel to ensure durability. The higher the column, the stronger the wind can be exploited by the turbine, increasing power output.
- Low Speed Shaft: Low speed shaft, receives motion directly from the rotor before transmitting it through the gearbox.
- High Speed Shaft: High speed shaft, connected to generator to increase rotation speed, generating electricity.
- Controller: The central controller, responsible for monitoring and adjusting the entire operation of the wind turbine.
- Anemometer: A device that measures wind speed and provides data to the controller to optimize operating performance.
- Wind vane: A device that determines wind direction, working with the yaw drive to ensure the turbine always rotates in the direction of the main wind.
- Generator: Generator, performs the function of converting mechanical energy from the rotor into electrical energy.
- Turbine system protection shell (Nacelle): The shell covers and protects the important parts inside the wind turbine. It ensures stable operation and avoids impacts from the external environment.
2.2. How does a wind turbine work?
The turbine is placed in a windy location. When there is wind, the turbine blades will operate, it will rotate around the rotor connected around the main shaft. That movement will make
Electrical energy: While in contact with the wind, these movements will make the blades rotate around the rotor connected to the main shaft. This helps the main shaft rotate the generator shaft to generate electricity. At this time, other movements of the generator motor will also rotate.
3. Popular types of wind turbines today
Currently, in the world there are many types of wind turbines that help generate electricity. The following types can be mentioned:
3.1. Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT)
Horizontal axis wind turbines are the most common type, with their axis of rotation parallel to the ground. HAWT blades are designed like airplane wings, optimizing the harvesting of wind energy. These turbines are often installed on tall towers to capture stronger, more consistent winds.
3.2. Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT)
Vertical axis wind turbines have a rotating axis perpendicular to the ground, allowing them to receive wind from any direction without the need for a steering system. They are suitable for areas with constantly changing wind conditions and are often used in urban environments or places with limited space.
3.3. Downwind turbine
This is a type of turbine with the blades placed behind the tower, taking advantage of the wind flow being redirected as it passes through the tower. This design reduces the load on the blades and increases the life of the turbine. However, it can be affected by air turbulence caused by the tower.
3.4. Bladeless wind turbine
This type of turbine works on the principle of aerodynamic resonance instead of using traditional blades. It reduces noise, is safer for birds, and is easier to maintain than bladed turbines. The technology is still in development but promises to be a new solution for the wind energy industry.
3.5. Counter-Rotating Wind Turbine
This type of turbine has two sets of blades rotating in opposite directions, which optimizes the extraction of energy from the wind. This design reduces energy loss and improves the overall efficiency of the turbine compared to traditional single blade systems.
4. Advantages and disadvantages of wind turbines
4.1. Advantages
- Help protect the environment
- Support grid power reduction capacity
- Help meet people's electricity needs
- Help economic development by creating renewable energy
- Help scale
4.2. Defect
- Higher cost than other electricity generating products
- Turbines are located far from residential areas, requiring large installation areas.
- Turbines are large in size, making transportation and installation cumbersome.
- Turbines have intermittent operation.
5. Wind turbines and future developments
Wind power is becoming one of the fastest growing renewable energy sources in the world. According to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), the total installed capacity of wind power worldwide is expected to surpass 900 GW by 2023, led by countries such as China, the United States, Germany and India. Wind turbine technology is constantly improving, increasing power generation efficiency and reducing investment costs, promoting the strong development of this industry.
In Vietnam, wind power is also on the rise, especially with the great potential of offshore wind. By the end of 2023, Vietnam's total wind power capacity will reach about 5,5 GW, mainly concentrated in coastal provinces such as Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Soc Trang and Bac Lieu.
The Vietnamese government is also promoting policies to support renewable energy development, with the goal of increasing wind power capacity to about 18-20 GW by 2030. However, the domestic wind power industry still faces many challenges such as high investment costs, unsynchronized transmission infrastructure and complicated administrative procedures. However, with the support of policies and technology, wind power promises to become one of the main pillars of Vietnam's sustainable energy system in the future.
6. Conclusion
Above is our sharing about the structure and operating principle of wind turbines. Let's join Green In Learn more about wind turbines by following the next articles.