Around , the first wind turbines were built in Europe to produce electricity. Today, advances in technology and the need for renewable energy sources has made wind a fast growing source of electricity. Click on the video for an animation showing how wind turbines generate electricity. On top of each wind turbine is a box known as a nacelle. Attached to the nacelle are three propeller-like blades that connect to a rotor. Also on the nacelle is an anemometer to measure wind speed and direction.
Wind speeds typically need to be approximately 9 miles per hour or more for most utility-size wind turbines to start producing electricity.
Each type of wind turbine is able to generate its maximum electricity within a range of wind speeds, often in between 30 and 55 miles per hour. However, if the wind is blowing less, production typically decreases at an exponential rate rather than stopping altogether.
For example, the amount of energy generated decreases by a factor of eight if wind speed falls by half. Wind technicians like Rene Lopez and his Duke Energy Renewables teammates climb to the top to fix it quickly and safely.
Rene says that, while carrying about 45 pounds of gear and tools, it can take experienced technicians 20 minutes or more to reach the nacelle, which is feet up at the top of the wind turbine. Wind technicians are responsible for troubleshooting and repairing the electronics and mechanics that keep the blades spinning. Safety is also a continuous and daily focus on the job because climbing to the nacelle of a turbine may be hazardous. At Duke Energy Renewables, a strict safety regime is practiced, documented and analyzed to assure safety remains a top priority.
With proper training, technicians can also use drones to make it easier and safer to inspect towering equipment. Drones can zoom in on equipment, which makes it easier to see small defects like cracks on a wind turbine and reduces the need for technicians to climb turbines and rappel down the blades.
This can be especially helpful when the roads are wet or unpassable. Wind power generation remains among the smallest carbon footprints of any energy source. Wind is also one of the best methods for corporations, universities, cities, utilities and other organizations to quickly shift to emissions-free energy at scale. One virtual power purchase agreement VPPA can secure tens to hundreds of megawatts of net zero electricity for 10 to 25 years.
Most agreements also tick the box for additionality, meaning net-new clean energy sourcing displacing potentially older, higher-emitting energy sources. Just like commercial solar PV projects, permits must also be secured before a wind power installation is started.
This critical step will help determine if the project is financially viable and has a favorable risk profile. After all, the goal is to have the commercial-scale wind projects delivering electrons to the grid for decades to come. Assuring the builder AND project are financially sound will ensure success for a generation or more. Existing Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions customers with questions should call Please note: This form is not for Duke Energy utility account inquiries.
We do not have access to your customer account information. Please contact customer service for assistance with your utility account. Sign up for our digital magazine to learn more about organizations that are committed to leading the way to a cleaner and more sustainable future and positively impacting the world around them.
Read more. Repeat with another cm PVC pipe and T-joint. Join the two pieces together by inserting the free ends of the pipes into the sides of a third T-joint, with the middle hole facing up. Insert the remaining PVC pipe into the T-joint hole that is facing up, so that the pipe stands upright. Place the final T-joint on the free end of the tower. Attach two wires to the motor. Place the motor securely into the joint at the top of the tower.
Run the wires down the tower pipe and out one of the T-joints on the base. If needed, use duct tape to keep the motor in place securely. Attach the plastic, round piece called the hub to the straight, metal piece on the outside of the motor. Connect the wires to the multimeter using the alligator clips. Set the multimeter to 20 volts. Place a few small, wooden dowels into the holes of the hub. Create wind using a hair dryer or fan.
Check the multimeter to see how much energy is generated.
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