RENEWCONNECT - All about renewables & power sector

comprehensive overview of Wind Energy and its Technological Evolution , broken into key sections: 1. Introduction to Wind Energy Definition : Wind energy is the process of harnessing kinetic energy from wind to generate mechanical or electrical power. Primary Source : Solar radiation creates temperature gradients, leading to wind movement. Benefits : Renewable and sustainable. Low operational costs post-installation. Reduces dependency on fossil fuels and mitigates greenhouse gas emissions. 2. Historical Evolution of Wind Energy Pre-Industrial Era (Before 18th Century) Early Uses : 5000 BCE: Egyptians used wind to sail boats. 200 BCE: Simple windmills in Persia for grinding grain and pumping water. Technological Developments : Vertical-axis windmills in the Middle East. Horizontal-axis windmills in Europe by the 12th century, used for milling grain and draining wetlands. Industrial Revolution (18th–19th Century) Windmills were mechanized and used in agriculture and water management. Wi...

Wind turbine research and improvements are focused on enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, increasing durability, and minimizing environmental impact. Here are the key areas of research and advancements: 1. Turbine Design and Materials Larger and Taller Turbines: Development of turbines with larger rotor diameters and taller towers to access higher wind speeds at greater altitudes. Advanced Blade Materials: Use of lightweight and durable materials like carbon fiber-reinforced composites to increase lifespan and reduce manufacturing costs. Modular Blade Designs: Research into modular blades for easier transportation and assembly, especially for offshore wind farms. Flexible Blades: Use of adaptive materials that change shape with wind pressure to optimize energy capture and reduce stress on components. 2. Aerodynamic and Structural Enhancements Optimized Blade Profiles: Innovations in aerodynamics to reduce drag and increase lift, improving overall energy conversion efficiency. Pa...

Turbocharger-based rooftop wind turbines are a novel concept that incorporates principles of turbocharging to enhance the efficiency and performance of small-scale wind turbines used on rooftops. Here’s a detailed look at the concept: 1. Concept and Working Principle: Turbocharger Integration : A turbocharger, typically used in automotive applications, consists of a turbine and a compressor. In the context of a wind turbine, the turbine component is used to capture wind energy, while a modified compressor section may be used to increase the pressure and speed of the airflow hitting the turbine blades. Boosting Wind Speed : By directing the airflow through a nozzle or venturi-like structure before it hits the turbine blades, the speed of the wind is effectively boosted. This increase in wind speed allows the turbine to generate more power even at lower wind conditions, making it suitable for urban environments with inconsistent wind speeds. 2. Advantages of Turbocharger-Based Rooftop Wi...

As there are different types of wind turbine models and designs where are developed to harness the wind energy and to increase the efficiency. The following is the outline for the conducting the basic study on understanding and implementation of the wind energy in the specific location irrespective of country, continent, etc.  1.1 Feasibility Study & Site Selection Wind resource assessment : Use tools like Wind Atlas, LiDAR, and anemometers to measure wind speeds over a year. Site selection : A 1 GW wind farm requires 100-150 km² of land. Choose areas with high wind speeds, preferably offshore or coastal regions. Land acquisition : Secure land rights from the government or private owners, ensuring proper environmental assessments. 1.2 Technical Aspects Turbine selection : Choose turbines based on wind conditions. The capacity for each turbine can vary from 2 MW to 12 MW (offshore). Farm layout : Design the layout considering wind direction, wake effect, turbine height, and spac...

Renewable energy generation has emerged as a key solution to tackle climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and move towards a more sustainable future. However, like any large-scale industrial activity, renewable energy generation can also cause environmental impacts and pollution, which need to be mitigated. While renewables like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal utilize natural resources for energy generation, their deployment can sometimes lead to unintended environmental consequences. In this article, we will explore some of the key pollution and environmental issues associated with renewable energy, and discuss ways to minimize these impacts, particularly focusing on solar, wind, and hydro power. Solar Energy and Pollution Concerns Solar power generation has surged as one of the most promising renewable energy sources. Photovoltaic (PV) panels, solar farms, and concentrated solar power (CSP) systems are widely deployed to harness solar energy. While solar energy is regar...

Renewable energy, also known as non-conventional energy , refers to energy that comes from natural resources that are continually replenished and sustainable over time. These resources are either infinite or naturally replenished on a human timescale. Key renewable energy sources include: Solar energy : Energy harnessed from the sun through photovoltaic cells or solar thermal technology. Wind energy : Energy captured from wind using turbines to generate electricity. Biomass : Organic materials such as agricultural waste, wood, and other plant matter that can be converted into energy. Small-hydro : Small-scale hydroelectric power generation systems utilizing the flow of water. Biogas : A renewable source created from the decomposition of organic waste. Energy storage systems : Technologies that store energy for later use, such as batteries and flywheel systems. Pumped hydro storage : A large-scale energy storage method using water reservoirs to store potential energy. Nuclear energy : T...

Feasibility study for implementation of a Wind Energy power plant, the following are the step by step process in conducting the study which will give you the outline for the EPC activities for an onshore wind energy, irrespective of the location. 1.1 Feasibility Study & Site Selection Wind resource assessment : Use tools like Wind Atlas, LiDAR, and anemometers to measure wind speeds over a year. Site selection : A 1 GW wind farm requires 100-150 km² of land. Choose areas with high wind speeds, preferably offshore or coastal regions. Land acquisition : Secure land rights from the government or private owners, ensuring proper environmental assessments. 1.2 Technical Aspects Turbine selection : Choose turbines based on wind conditions. The capacity for each turbine can vary from 2 MW to 12 MW (offshore). Farm layout : Design the layout considering wind direction, wake effect, turbine height, and spacing. Transmission infrastructure : Connect to the grid through high-voltage substation...

The evolution of wind turbines and their transition to power generation, it’s important to track key milestones, manufacturers, and technological changes from Industry 1.0 to Industry 4.0. Below is an overview of the manufacturers and models: Historical Evolution of Wind Turbines Pre-Industrial Age (Before Industry 1.0) Windmills for Water Pumping : Initially, windmills were used for grinding grain and pumping water. Traditional designs from countries like the Netherlands and Persia played a major role. Industry 1.0 (Late 18th to Early 19th Century) Mechanized Windmills : Wind energy was harnessed using mechanical devices for pumping water and grinding, such as the post mills in Europe. Industry 2.0 (Late 19th to Early 20th Century) Small-Scale Power Generation : Early prototypes of electricity-generating wind turbines emerged. For example, in 1887, James Blyth developed a small wind turbine to power his home in Scotland. Industry 3.0 (Late 20th Century) Large-Scale Wind Farms : The f...

  Wind is one the renewable energy source which is contributing renewable power to the grid. Till date, India has installed 37278.68 MW (as on 31.12.2019) of wind energy across the country. The country has covered almost all the locations in the windy regions (Onshore) where the wind potential is high and still new technology are adapted to increase the hub height from 50 to 120 meters with an increased turbine capacity of upto 2MW . The old wind generators are gradually reducing efficiency of the wind turbines and with the new technological growth is being taking place which is a constant process. There is a gradual increase in size and capacity of the wind turbine from KW to MW scale. The old turbine capacity is 1 kW to 800 kW and in the present scenario the lowest wind turbine capacity is 1 MW to the highest of 10 MW . But still in few companies are showing interest in install at KW scale which is having more efficiency. The companies are trying to increase the capacity ...