Wind Energy

Research of the energy sources is accelerated because of the limited energy sources and the fossil fuel's harmful effect to the environment. From past to present, wind energy has a couple of usage area. For instance; in water vehicles to move, after that in windmills and at the present time the wind energy is used to produce electric energy. Wind energy is a good economic solution for the places where applying the network line is expensive. Economic self sufficiency is one of the basic criteria of the country's independence so, recently, there is an increment in wind energy usage in Turkey.

Situation in Turkey

Wind Energy Potential Map for Turkey (REPA) has been published in 2007. According to REPA; at least 48,000 MW of energy from wind can be produced in the places that has 7 m/s of wind velocity. In July 2013. the total installed capacity of wind energy is more than 2619 MW. Moreover, 28 wind energy plant that the installed capacity of 751 MW is still in construction. 78% of wind energy plant is located in Aegean and Marmara region in terms of installed capacity. The first 3 cities are Balikesir (666.5 MW), Izmir (499.9 MW) and Manisa (346 MW).

Wind Turbines

Wind energy is converted to electric energy by wind turbines. There are different size and design of wind turbines. They can be mounted on the ground and the roof aswell. There two kind of wind turbines; Horizantal and Vertical wind Turbines.

Turbine Components

·"Rotor" is a device that hub, shaft and the blades are mounted on it.

·"Mechanism" includes generator and gear box.

·Tower

·Control System

·Others (Electric connections and support structure)

1. Horizontal Axes Wind Turbines

Horizontal wind turbines are the most commonly used turbine types. They are classified in terms of the blade numbers; single bladed, two bladed, three bladed and multi bladed turbines. Majority of commercial turbines are three bladed horizontal turbines. Blades are perpendicular and the axis of rotation is parallel to the wind in horizontal-axis wind turbines.

2. Vertical Axes Wind Turbines

The vertical axis is perpendicular to the ground. These turbines are adjusted according to the direction of wind and for the first movement, they need electric engine. Locations close to the sea level has low efficiency for these turbines because of the low wind.

Advantages

·Abundant and free in the atmosphere.

·Environmental friendly and no pollution

·Unlimited and no risk in cost increment of source

·Low maintenance and operation cost

·Can be implement extreme areas.

·Beneficial for employment