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Long-form educational entries. Featured pieces sit on the homepage; this index is the full set.
wind energy
Types of Wind Turbines
The wind turbines can have a vertical axis, which is the majority of installations, or a horizontal axis like the Darrieus or Savonius turbines.
5 min read
wind energy
Wind Turbines and the Environment
A wind power plants produce no emissions or waste, could be a source of noise or strobe effect, are a distinctive landmark, and require large areas.
3 min read
wind basics
Wind Energy
Uneven solar heating drives winds. Turbines intercept a fraction of that kinetic energy.
7 min read
turbines
How Wind Turbines Work
Lift on aerofoil blades produces torque. A generator and power electronics feed the grid.
8 min read
wind energy
The Energy of Flowing Air
The movement of air masses between two differently warm places is called a wind. Most wind turbines reach their maximum output at a wind speed of 15 m/s.
3 min read
wind energy
The Beaufort Wind Force Scale
The Beaufort Wind Force Scale, originally from 0 to 12, helps to estimate the force of the wind by observation of its effects.
3 min read
wind energy
The History of Wind Power Utilization
The ancient wind mills powered irrigation pumps or ground grain. Since 1887, wind power has been used for electricity production in wind turbines.
3 min read
wind energy
Wind Power Plants
The wind power plants are on the drag principle (historic windmills) or the lift principle (modern turbines). A horizontal or vertical axis is used.
3 min read
wind energy
Wind Turbine and its Working Principle
The wind turbine transforms the kinetic energy of the flowing air into rotational movements of the rotor blades, which turns the generator.
3 min read
wind energy
The Largest Wind Farms
The largest onshore wind farm is Roscoe, Texas, USA, with 627 turbines, while the largest offshore wind farm is Thanet, UK, with 100 turbines.
3 min read