Wind Power Systems
It is a true and marvelous reality that even the mildest gust of wind is enough to generate electricity if it can be captured and transformed. Open areas are particularly well-suited for wind power whether you are considering plains surrounded by mountains that steadily push powerful winds down their slopes; or the brisk winds that sway the grass on the savannahs; or the cool winds that swoop across the endless sea to create frothy coastal surf. Wind power has only two requirements: space and wind.
Wind power systems are themselves works of art, commanding tall turbines that arch toward the sky with lean blades to slice against the wind. It is a technology that is built on truly beautiful motion. The systems built to capture the wind’s power are beautiful because the wind’s movement is itself an act of grace, an uninhibited flow of air molecules created by the natural warming and rotation of the earth. Solar Point Africa invests in wind power because of this native grace, which yields great energy from the simple and abundant air that we breathe.
Wind is a Source of Energy for a Modern World
Modern wind power uses the mechanical force of wind to create electrical energy by channeling it to turn generators. Worldwide, it is estimated that almost 72TW of usable energy is created by winds; that is more than five times the amount of energy required to power the entire world. One lone wind turbine can create many megawatts of power a day. When multiple wind turbines are installed onsite, they are connected together in an energy grid which can supply megawatts of power, making them available across multiple homes, buildings and businesses.
The effectiveness of wind turbine design can be calibrated by the design of the blade. The shape and responsiveness of the blade corresponds to the amount of energy required and the circumstances of the wind resources. Blade design is in the forefront of modern turbine technology. Solar Point Africa offers systems that react intuitively to changing wind patterns to maximize electricity production, while protecting the turbine itself.
Wind turbines generate electricity by harnessing the natural force of the wind in order to power an electrical generator.
The main components of a wind turbine are:
- Rotors of up to 90 metres in diameter
- Usually 3 blades on the rotor
- Blades made of fibreglass with polyester or epoxy reinforcements
- Operation with constant or variable rotor speeds
- Automatic power control
Available from 100kW to 3mW
A Look at the Benefits
Wind power taps into a massive, plentiful energy source, which returns a great deal of energy by maximizing even minor wind patterns. Wind is an ideally communal solution:
- Large-scale electricity production which is beneficial to entire communities and regions
- Allowances for dual-use land, such as for farming and agriculture
- Extremely clean energy: no waste, no pollution, and low-energy manufacturing
- Local energy sources, which are inexhaustible and sustainable over many years