A wind energy conversion system (WECS) is an apparatus that utilizes the kinetic energy of wind and converts it into mechanical or electrical energy. A lot of research has been done to invent an environmentally friendly approach to meet the national energy demand while sustainably utilizing the available resources.
Classification of WECS
Classification of the Wind energy conversion systems (WECS) is based on the rotational axis of the rotor blades of the turbine. Following mentioned are the four main classifications of WECS:
1. Rotational Axis: According to the type of rotational axis these are further classified as:
- Horizontal axis wind turbine: It is commonly used. The rotor blades are mounted Perpendicularly on a horizontal shaft to the ground.
- Vertical axis wind turbine: It is not very commonly used and on the vertical shaft the rotor blades are mounted to the ground.
2. Turbine: Based on the electrical output turbines can be further classified as:
- Low Power turbines: The maximum output is 30 kW.
- Medium Power turbines: The output ranges from 30 to 300 kW
- High Power turbines: Considerable amount of power is produced,
3. Power Control: It is important to control the level of wind energy for constant power output. It is achieved in the following ways:
- Active power control: Using pitch control mechanism the angle of the blades of the rotor is manipulated and the amount of wind is regulated.
- Reactive power control: Management and regulation of electricity is done by the generator.
4. Rotational Speed Control Criteria: The speed of the turbine blades is based on the speed of the wind. Below mentioned ways are used to control the wind speed:
- Fixed speed WECS: Governor is a device that is used to control the speed of the turbine.
- Variable speed WECS: Inverter device is used for controlling the turbine’s speed.
Also See: What is Vortex Turbine?
Components of WECS
The major components of a wind energy conversion system (WECS) include:
Mechanical Components:
- Rotor: It captures the wind and rotates resulting in conversion to mechanical energy.
- Main Shaft: It is made of steel and is connected to the rotor.
- Gearbox: It helps in increasing the speed of the rotor.
- Mechanical Breaks: It stops the rotor.
- Nacelle: It consists of all electrical and mechanical components.
- Pitch and Yaw Drives: Useful in adjusting blade angles.
- Wind Measuring Equipment: Measuring device of Wind speed and direction.
Electrical Components:
- Generator: Converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
- Power Converter: Helps in converting the current from DC into AC.
- Step-up Transformer: Increase the electricity voltage.
- Wind Farm Collection Points or Point of Common Coupling: Produced electricity is collected here.
Must Read: What is Water Turbine?
How Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) Work?
- Utilizing natural wind energy to rotate the rotor blade with the wind force and spin the shaft connected to the blade which is further attached to a gearbox helps in increasing the speed of rotation of the rotor’s blade.
- Using the power converter, the electricity generated is transformed from DC to AC and the step-up transformer is used to increase the voltage.
- Lastly at the wind farm collection point the electricity generated by the wind turbine is collected and is further supplied to the consumer of various fields.
Recommended: What is Wind Power Plant?
