If seen from a distance, a wind turbine, where the giant rotating fan usually looks like an ordinary fan structure, in fact, the practical engineering in it makes it one of the most environmentally friendly inventions in history. Its long stature, which is generally not seen in more than three numbers, whose main purpose is to convert the power of the slow and strong winds blowing on this planet into electrical power so that a clean and sustainable electricity can be obtained. But everyone knows all this today. 

"It is important for us to understand how it is possible to obtain sustainable electricity from a wind-powered turbine and what are the factors behind it?"

It is worth mentioning that every wind turbine consists of wings, commonly known as blades. These blades are specially designed using aerodynamic techniques and composite materials are used in their manufacture to keep the weight of the blades as light as possible. 

These blades can move even due to light air pressure. When the air flows over the surface of these blades, a certain difference in pressure is created between the upper and lower surfaces, which lifts the wings upwards and thus the process of rotation of the blades of the wind turbine begins. The central part of these blades is connected to a central part of the rotor, which we clearly see in the vast plains and in the turbines installed at sea level.

This is enough about the front part of the wind turbine, which is not only quite attractive but also interesting. Now we talk about the rear part of the turbine, which is called the nacelle. This part is of particular importance technically. This place, which looks a little long and rectangular from a distance, can accommodate two to four workers working simultaneously in special situations. This part is connected to the blades through a shaft. 

NACELLE

Generally, if seen and understood, without any technique, this shaft is often capable of rotating at fifty to sixty revolutions per minute (RPM) under the influence of wind, which is insufficient to obtain sustainable electricity. Therefore, to make up for this deficiency and make the rotation of the shaft efficient, it is connected to a gearbox, thanks to which the rotational speed of the shaft increases by one hundred and fifty times per minute and enables the rotation of the shaft to generate electricity.

GEARBOX

But this process is not complete here. Here, after the gearbox, comes the turn of a generator. The inverting unit, which aims to convert the mechanical energy of a rotating shaft into electrical energy, consists of magnetic induction. 

As soon as the inverting process is completed, the electrical energy is stored in the power grid or batteries without wasting time through the electrical wires in the wind turbine tower. However, this process of transferring the generated electricity is not that easy. Before transferring the electricity, it is passed through a number of transformers, the purpose of which is to smooth out the uneven charge flowing in the electrical wires.

But the question arises here, is it all that easy and simple? 

This is not known because to maintain the same production process of the wind turbine, it is connected to a special monitoring and control system. This system not only sets the turbine at different angles according to the wind flow, but also has the ability to shut down as a safety measure in the event of a dangerous increase in the same flow. 

Here, another technical system performs the most important task, rotating the nacelle completely and rotating the blades in the direction of the wind so that the rotational flow of the blades can be maintained. This technical system is called the yaw mechanism.

Here, other important systems are also performing their responsibilities within the nacelle to ensure the power generation characteristics of the turbine, such as the cooling unit, which aims to keep the continuously working generator and gearbox at the appropriate temperature so as to prevent any working parts from failing, sensors, whose main purpose is to make this power generation process smooth and safe, and the brake system, as we have mentioned in our same article, the main purpose of this system is to completely stop the turbine in any emergency situation.

The most surprising thing here that makes this process extraordinary is the zero use of any fuel during this entire process. Perhaps this is the reason why today this environmentally friendly machine developed by man is being installed on a large scale from the surface of the earth to the surface of the sea, the main purpose of which is to make the process of electricity production environmentally friendly. 

Today, the rapidly changing world of environmental pollution is forcing man to move towards environmentally friendly inventions like wind turbines instead of traditional harmful methods for a better and healthier future. Thank you. 

Written by Syed Murtaza Hassan