Wind turbines are designed to exploit the wind energy that
exists at a location. Aerodynamic modeling is used to determine the optimum
tower height, control systems, number of blades and blade shape.
Wind turbine designs are utilized to create wind turbines that exploit wind
energy. A wind turbine installation consists of the necessary systems needed to
capture the wind's energy, point the turbine into the wind, convert mechanical
rotation into electrical power, and other systems to start, stop, and control
the turbine.
Wind turbines convert wind energy to electricity for
distribution. Conventional horizontal axis turbines can be divided into three
components.
● The rotor component, which is
approximately 20% of the wind turbine cost, includes the blades for converting
wind energy to low speed rotational energy.
● The generator component, which is
approximately 34% of the wind turbine cost, includes the electrical generator,
the control electronics, and most likely a gearbox (e.g. planetary gearbox,
adjustable-speed drive or continuously variable transmission) component for
converting the low speed incoming rotation to high speed rotation suitable for
generating electricity.
● The structural support component, which
is approximately 15% of the wind turbine cost, includes the tower and rotor yaw
mechanism.
A 1.5 MW wind turbine of a
type frequently seen in the United States has a tower 80 meters high. The rotor
assembly (blades and hub) weighs 48,000 pounds (22,000 kg). The nacelle, which
contains the generator component, weighs 115,000 pounds (52,000 kg). The
concrete base for the tower is constructed using 58,000 pounds (26,000 kg) of
reinforcing steel and contains 250 cubic yards of concrete. The base is 50 feet
(15 m) in diameter and 8 feet (2.4 m) thick near the center.