Wind Energy
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ScribdTranslationsWhat is wind energy?
Wind energy is the energy obtained from the wind. It is one of the most energy resources.
ancient ones exploited by humans and it is today the most mature and efficient energy
of all renewable energies. The term "wind" comes from the Latin "aeolicus",
belonging or relating to Aeolus, the God of the winds in Greek mythology.
Wind energy uses the force of the wind to produce electricity. It does not pollute, it is
inexhaustible and reduces the use of fossil fuels, helping to create wealth and generate
local employment. Very respectful of the environment, it has positioned itself as
one of the most widespread and productive methods for obtaining electrical energy at a level
worldwide. China, United States, Germany, India, and Spain are the countries that most
They take advantage of the wind power to produce electricity, according to the data from the Council.
World Wind Energy (GWEC).
It accounts for 3% of the world's energy production.
What is a wind turbine?
A wind turbine is a device that converts the kinetic energy of the wind into energy.
electric. The blades of a wind turbine rotate between 13 and 20 revolutions per minute, according to
its technology, at a constant speed or at variable speed, where the speed
The rotor speed varies according to the wind speed to achieve greater efficiency.
The wind turbines have an average lifespan of over 25 years. The rapid evolution of the
Wind technology has led to an increase in the durability of wind turbines.
Characteristics of a wind turbine
The operation of a wind turbine can be explained in terms of the following phases:
Automatic orientation: The wind turbine automatically turns to take advantage of
maximum wind kinetic energy, based on the data recorded by the weather vane and
anemometer which incorporates at the top. The cup rotates on a crown located
at the end of the tower.
Blade rotation: The wind makes the blades spin, which start to move at speeds
of wind of about 3.5 m/s and provide maximum power at about 11 m/s. With winds
very strong (25 m/s) the blades are positioned in flag and the wind turbine is braked to avoid
excessive tensions.
Multiplication: The rotor (set of three blades engaged in the hub) spins a shaft
slow connected to a multiplier that increases the rotation speed from about 13 to about
1,500 revolutions per minute.
Generation: The multiplier, through the fast axis, transfers its energy to the generator.
coupled, that produces electricity.
Evacuation: The energy generated is conducted through the inside of the tower to the base and,
from there, by underground line to the substation, where its voltage is raised to
inject it into the electrical grid and distribute it to the consumption points.
Monitoring: All the critical functions of the wind turbine are monitored and
They are monitored from the substation and the control center to detect and resolve any
incident.
Wind energy is consolidating as one of the most productive methods of
energy production
Wind energy is becoming one of the most widespread and productive methods.
to obtainclean electric energyworldwide. According to the data from the World Council
Wind Energy, China, the United States, Germany, India, and Spain are the leaders.
producers.
This type of energy generates electricity through the force of the wind, using
the kinetic energy produced by the effect of air currents. It is a source
of clean and inexhaustible energy, which reduces the consumption of fossil fuels, avoiding the
emission of greenhouse gases and contributing to mitigating global warming.
Benefits of wind energy
Wind energy is a renewable energy source, it does not pollute, it is inexhaustible, and it reduces
the use of fossil fuels, the source of greenhouse gas emissions that cause
global warming. Moreover, wind energy is a native energy, available in
the vast majority of the planet, which helps to reduce energy imports and
to create wealth and employment locally.
For all these reasons, the production of electricity through wind energy and its use in a way
efficient contribute to sustainable development.
Of all these advantages, it is important to highlight that wind energy does not emit substances.
toxic or air pollutants, which can be very harmful to the environment
and the human being. Toxic substances can acidify terrestrial ecosystems and
aquatic, and corrode buildings. Air pollutants can trigger
heart diseases, cancer, and respiratory diseases such as asthma.
Wind energy does not generate waste or water pollution, a very important factor.
taking into account the scarcity of water. Unlike fossil fuels and the
nuclear power plants, wind energy has one of the largest water consumption footprints
lowering, which makes it key for the preservation of water resources.
Data on wind energy
How much electricity is generated from the wind?
Wind energy currently supplies more than 3% of the world's electricity consumption.
and it is expected that by 2020 it will exceed 5%. In the longer term (2040), the Agency
The International Energy Agency predicts that wind energy could account for 9% of the
global electricity demand and more than 20% in Europe.
Wind energy accounts for approximately 80% of the electricity produced by the
ACCIONA group annually. In 2014, the company produced a total from wind
17.482 gigawatt-hours (GWh), equivalent to the consumption of about five million
people. By geographical areas, 60% of wind production was destined for
Spanish market, with 10,378 GWh, while 40% corresponded to other countries:
2,278 GWh
Portugal (417 GWh), Italy (239 GWh), and India (226 GWh) as the main markets.
Which countries are leaders in the implementation of wind energy worldwide?
The installed wind power capacity worldwide at the end of 2015 exceeded 400,000 MW.
installed, according to provisional estimates from the consulting firm Navigant_BTM, which forecasts
which will grow more than 40% by 2019, when it will exceed 600,000 MW.
Spain has been one of the pioneering and leading countries in harnessing the wind for
to produce electricity. Thirty years after the first wind turbine was installed in the country,
Spain became the first country in the world where wind energy was the main source.
source of electrical generation throughout an entire year (in 2013, with 20.9% of the
total production), which also positions it as a very advanced country in solutions
technologies that allow their network integration.
Although wind installation has slowed in recent years, Spain remains
with about 23,000 MW installed at the end of 2015, the second European country by capacity
operational wind power after Germany (43,723 MW), and the fifth in the world, behind China
(138.060 MW), USA (71.000 MW) and India (25.219 MW), according to estimates from the
cited consultant.
Wind energy in Mexico
One of the important natural resources that Mexico has for mass production of
Electricity is the force of the wind. With 31 wind farms in operation and others in project.
in several states and a electricity production capacity of over 2,500 megawatts
Watts, no one doubts the potential of wind energy in Mexico.
Wind macroprojects launched in the country produce 2,551 megawatts by the end.
since 2015, managing to supply the electrical needs of more than 400,000 homes.
Inside therenewable sector, wind energy projects are the most
investment they have received so far. In fact, since 2004, investments have been made in this
types of projects over 5 billion dollars and the forecast is that the figure will continue
upwards, as the installation of the necessary wind turbines has already been accepted for
reach 15,000 megawatts of production in the period 2020-2022.
Oaxaca and Veracruz they are the states where there are more wind projects in phase
construction or already in operation. The Isthmus of Tehuantepec, in the state of Oaxaca,
it concentrates the largest number of wind farms ́ in the country.
́ Other points with capacity of
wind generation are La Rumorosa,Lower California; the Gulf Coast of Mexico that
it extends between the states of Tamaulipas and Veracruz; and the northern states of Nuevo
Leon and San Luis Potosi.
Large companies operating in Mexican territory such as Grupo Bimbo, Group
Modelo, Walmart, or Cemex have bet on the generation and use of wind energy
to make their operations profitable. The interest in this type of energy from companies
Nationals and foreign investors have led the government to design a specific policy.
to take advantage of electricity generation for the National Electric System in areas
with wind potential.
The financing of infrastructure for development of thewind energy proceed
primarily from the business and industrial sector. The government offers incentives that have
facilitated the sustained growth of wind projects in different states. According to
According to data from the Mexican Wind Energy Association, 40% of the national goal of
The country's renewable energies depend on the development of wind projects. Everything points to
that the Energy Regulatory Commission will continue to grant permits for the creation of
wind farms in practically all regions of Mexico.