Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Turbine

A wind turbine is a device that uses the wind's kinetic energy to create electricity. Depending on the technology, a wind turbine's blades rotate between 13 and 20 times per minute at a constant or variable speed. The rotor's speed fluctuates with the wind's speed to maximize efficiency.

Types of Wind Turbines

1. Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines

The wind turbines with horizontal axes are the sturdiest and most efficient. Although the base of the towers must be extremely sturdy, the rotor shaft must be placed near the top of the tower to allow the turbine to be exposed to stronger winds. A turbine with blades perpendicular to the wind can rotate and generate more power than a turbine with a vertical axis. But to build this kind of turbine, a large crane must be used to lift the parts to the top of the tower, and strong support must be provided

The horizontal axis wind turbines require additional yaw control to follow the wind's direction and guard against turbine damage. The turbine structure may experience metal fatigue when the wind is blowing downhill, which could result in a structural breakdown. By creating an upwind design for the turbines, this problem is solved.

2. Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

Since the blades of vertical-axis wind turbines revolve on the rotor shaft perpendicular to the ground, they are less impacted by frequent changes in wind direction than horizontal-axis wind turbines. The turbine doesn't need to revolve to follow wind direction with the blades and shaft set up in this manner. Due to the challenges of mounting the shaft and its components on the tower, the shaft is located close to the ground. Being positioned at ground level makes turbine maintenance simpler and allows installation in places like rooftops. This turbine installation has the drawbacks of having a lower efficiency because of air drag and lower wind speeds than those found at higher elevations.

Advantages of Wind Turbines

Since wind energy doesn't require direct sunlight exposure like solar energy, it provides advantages and is a practical choice for many regions worldwide.

1. Free Fuel

There is no need for gasoline because wind turbines are powered exclusively by wind energy. The turbine doesn't require fuel or an electrical connection after it is finished and mounted. This lowers overall operating costs for large-scale wind farms compared to other renewable energy sources, which might need some energy investment.

2. The Environmental Impact Is Minimal

While wind turbines are typically constructed on hills, mountains, or in the ocean, they can also be placed in fields or gently sloping terrain without interfering with the cultivation of crops or the use of the land for animal pasture. To make wind farms even more environmentally friendly, improvements are still being made to the visual aspect and the minimal noise pollution created by the movement of the turbine blades. However, it's important to note that the current effects are minimal. Because all emissions and resource consumption are limited to the plant's manufacture, transportation, and installation, wind energy is the environmentally friendly source with the least total impact. To further ensure minimal collateral impacts on flora and fauna, certifications are often required before development on a wind power project can commence in many nations.

3. One of the Cleanest Forms of Energy

U.S. wind energy provides an endless supply of energy to illuminate residences and commercial buildings. Wind energy doesn't cause climate change because it doesn't release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere while producing energy because fossil fuels don't power the turbines. Only the production, transportation, and installation of wind turbines indirectly release greenhouse gases while using wind energy.

4. Cost-Effective

The energy produced by wind turbines can power many homes. So, using wind energy for your home or business doesn't necessarily require you to make a financial investment. You can benefit from using wind energy without owning a wind turbine by purchasing your electricity from a company that offers your area's resources.

5. The Wind Energy Industry Creates Jobs

Since wind turbines became economically feasible, the wind energy sector has experienced rapid growth. This has led to the industry producing jobs all around the world. Jobs are currently available in wind energy consulting and wind turbine production, installation, and maintenance.

More than 10 million people worldwide were employed in the renewable energy sector in 2017, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).1.15 million of these jobs were in the wind energy sector. China is the top provider of these jobs, with over 500,000. With over 150,000 employees, Germany comes in second, and the United States follows close behind with about 100,000 wind energy jobs.

6. Use of Modern Technology

The enormous, archaic windmills of the past are not comparable to the sleek, contemporary models. Instead, they appear modern, streamlined, and clean. By doing this, you can stop worrying about them devaluing your property.

Recent technological advances have made draught wind turbine designs very efficient energy producers. The turbine market is expanding as more companies, and people buy them to use at home on bigger and other plots of land. For usage in farms, factories, and colossal homes, turbines come in a wide range of sizes.

There are also transportable wind turbines that can power small gadgets. Newer models will produce even more electricity, need less maintenance, and operate more safely and silently.

Disadvantages of Wind Turbine

1. Noise

For some residents who live close to wind turbines, noise is a concern. The turbine blades produce a "whooshing" sound as they move through the air, while the generator inside the turbine emits a mechanical hum. The good news is that modern wind turbines produce significantly less noise than older ones; as technology advances, they will probably get much quieter.

2. Location Limitations

For wind turbines to be economically viable, they must be built in a region where they can provide enough electricity. Broad plains, hilltops, and coastal areas are ideal for wind farms because they all provide reliable, powerful winds. Offshore or in more rural places, or in remote locations far from cities and towns are often where most of these ideal locations are found. As a result of this separation, extra infrastructure, including power lines, must be built to connect a wind farm to the electrical grid.

This may be pricey and perhaps environmentally damaging (i.e., tearing down trees to make way for power lines).

3. Wind Reliability

The wind is generally unreliable, and turbines typically operate at roughly 30% of their maximum capacity. Your wind turbine may be damaged by strong winds or severe weather, especially if lightning strikes it. You might lose electricity if the weather does not cooperate with you (or, at the very least, you will need to rely on the electric company to look after you during those times).

4. Wind Turbines Are Expensive to Set Up

Both for commercial and residential uses, the production and installation of wind turbines demand significant upfront costs. Large and heavy equipment may need to be transported as part of wind systems, which could result in a significant temporary disturbance of the environment around the turbines. Another potential environmental issue associated with construction projects is erosion.

Depending on where you live, it could be not easy to locate someone who can sell you the wind turbines and other materials you need to make wind energy. It might also be expensive upfront and difficult to find someone who can maintain it over time.

5. Safety of People at Risk

The wind turbine blades are susceptible to damage from violent storms and strong winds. People working nearby could be in danger from the malfunctioning blade. They might be hit by it, resulting in permanent physical impairment or, in some cases, even death.

6. Wind Turbines Might Endanger Wildlife

Wind turbines' edges can harm animals, especially birds and other flying critters that may be close. You should be aware of the possible consequences of it, even though it isn't much you can do to stop it.

Conclusion

We have seen various advantages and disadvantages of wind energy. A wind turbine is among the greenest and most environmentally friendly types of electricity currently in use.

Whether you like or dislike wind turbines, there is no doubt that this technology is essential to the fight against global warming. We can lessen our reliance on traditional power plants that burn fossil fuels and harm the environment by generating more of our energy from the wind.