Wind turbine technology

The weathervane (2) transmits the wind direction to the automatic control system (1). When it reaches a sufficient speed, the yaw motors (3) then position the turbine facing the wind, allowing the blades to rotate (4). The movement of the blades is transmitted to the slow shaft (5), then the gearbox (6), the quick shaft (7) and lastly the generator (8).

 

For the wind turbine to be able to produce electricity, the wind speed must reach at least 15 kmph. The generator produces an alternating current at 690 volts.

 

With a speed of 50 kmph, the wind turbine reaches its nominal capacity. The hydraulic unit (9) regulates the lift on the blades, pivoting them on their bearings (10), in this way ensuring constant power.

 

Over 90 kmph, the blades are feathered, i.e. positioned parallel to the wind. The generator is disconnected from the network. The wind generator will only resume its production when the wind speed allows.

 

A computer manages all of these operations automatically and, if necessary, a disk brake (11) can make emergency stops.

 

The 690 volts are converted into 20,000 volts by a transformer positioned at the foot of each wind generator or in the nacelle. The electricity produced is then transported underground to source electrical stations so that it can be distributed to consumers.

This technology does not create any greenhouse gas emissions or any waste to be processed. Wind power guarantees the integrity of sites after dismantling. As far as sound is concerned, depending on the topography and distance of built-up areas, a latest generation wind turbine can barely be heard, with a sound level of less than 40 decibels at 300 meters, representing the same noise as a conversation in a low voice.

 

The impact of wind turbines on the landscape depends on your personal taste. Beautiful and elegant for some, disruptive elements for others.

 

 

• Mast height : 40 to 100 meters

• Blade length : 20 to 55 meters

• Turbine capacity : between 0.6 and 3 MW – up to 6 MW for offshore turbines

 

For example, 1 MW corresponds to the domestic electricity requirements (excluding heating) of 600 homes. A 10 MW wind farm is able to meet the needs of around 10,000 homes, representing close to 25,000 people.