Electricity has been used to make wind (electric fans; air-con) for generations, and now the reverse is true. Instead of using electricity to make wind, wind turbines use wind to make electricity. Wind power is an essential component of Australia’s clean energy transition.
What is wind power?
Wind power has been harnessed for thousands of years for sailing ships, small wind turbine windmills, windpumps, and more. Today, wind energy is captured in onshore and offshore wind farms, converted into electricity, sent to power plants, and distributed to the electrical grid. Utility-scale clean energy is now a reality for Australian homeowners and businesses.
How do wind turbines work?
Horizontal-axis wind turbines and vertical-axis wind turbines both turn energy from the wind into electricity using propeller-like blades connected to turbine around a rotor. The rotor spins a generator, which creates electricity. Turbines use yaw technology to turn the blades into the wind, allowing kinetic energy to spin the wind turbine blades even with low wind speeds.
The blades turn a shaft which is connected to a gearbox. The slow spin of this shaft is then used to spin a much faster second shaft. This shaft is attached to a generator that includes magnets which spin at high speeds past coils of copper wire. Electricity flows through the copper wire, allowing electrical energy to travel through cables to a substation and on to the National Grid.
Wind turbines work best in open places where the wind blows unhindered by obstacles. They are usually part of larger onshore wind farms in rural areas or offshore wind farms out at sea. Wind power electricity generation is an important clean energy technology in the fight against climate change. Australia is perfectly placed for the introduction of renewable energy sources such as wind power and solar energy.
Advantages and disadvantages of wind power
Wind is an amazing free source of energy. Wind industry technology is continually improving, allowing electricity consumers to include wind power generation for household electricity use. In fact, some leading Australian electricity retailers offer the option of electricity generated from 100% renewable energy sources.
Advantages of wind power
- Wind power is a renewable and unlimited resource.
- Wind generation creates no harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
- Electricity from wind power is cheap to produce once turbines are set up.
Disadvantages of wind power
- When there is no wind, windfarms do not generate any electricity.
- Electricity energy storage can be problematic when there is too much wind.
- Electricity generation decreases in light winds.
- Wind farms can spoil the view of the sea or countryside.
What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy is formed from resources that are continually replenished, such as wind power, solar energy, hydro power, and geothermal sources. These resources can be harnessed and harvested for large scale megawatt electricity generation.
What is Non-Renewable Energy?
Non-renewable energy comes from materials and resources that take thousands or millions of years to be replenished. Fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal are common non-renewable energy sources. Modern wind turbines reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
Is wind power cost-effective for energy consumers?
Onshore and offshore wind turbines create clean and cheap energy. Electricity retailer incentives in Australia’s deregulated electricity market include cost-effective energy generated from wind resources.
How to find a carbon-neutral alternative energy plan?
This is where GoSwitch comes into the picture. The GoSwitch energy price comparison search engine takes the guesswork out of comparing retailers. Instead of taking days or weeks in a complex and confusing search, GoSwitch compares the best deals from leading electricity and gas retailers in minutes. You can now find the best price, personalise your plan, and switch retailers from the comfort of home in a few simple steps.
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It’s that easy to change energy retailers for a better deal. If you are ready to take control of your bills and fight back against rising energy costs, make the switch with GoSwitch today!
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