MODULE 5

Basic Components of Wind Energy Conversion (WEC) System

Classification of Wind Energy Conversion (WEC) System

1. First, there are two broad classifications:

(i) Horizontal Axis Machines. The axis of rotation is horizontal and the
aeroturbine plane is vertical facing the wind.

(ii) Vertical Axis Machines. The axis of rotation is vertical. The sails or
bladesmay also be vertical, as on the ancient Persian windmills, or nearly so, as
on the modern Darrievs rotor machine.

2. Then, they be classified according to size as determined by their useful

electrical power output.
Large Scale or Large Size Machines (100 kW and up). Large
wind turbines are those of 100 kW rated capacity or greater. They are used to
generate power for distribution in central power grids. There are two sub
classes:
(a) Single generator at a single site.
(b) Multiple generators sited at several places over an area.

3. As per the type of output power, wind aerogenerators are

classified as:
(i) DC output
(a) DC generator
(b) Alternator rectifier
(ii) AC output
(a) Variable frequency, variable or constant voltage AC.
(b) Constant frequency, variable or constant voltage AC.

4. As per the rotational speed of the aeroturbines, these are classified as:
(i) Constant Speed with variable pitch blades. This made implies use of
asynchronous generator with its constant frequency output.
(ii) Nearly Constant Speed with fixed pitch blades. This mode implies
aninduction generator.
(iii) Variable Speed with fixed pitch blades. This mode could imply, for
constant frequency output:
(a) Field modulated system
(b) AC-DC-AC link
 (c) Double output induction generator
(d) AC commutator generators
(e) Other variable speed constant frequency generating systems.
5. Wind turbines are also classified as per how the utilization of output
is made:
(i) Battery storage.
(ii) Direct connection to an electromagnetic energy converter.
(iii) Other forms (thermal potential etc.) of storage.
(iv) Interconnection with conventional electric utility grids.
The system engineer seeking to integrate WECS will, naturally be
mostinterested in the latter case but should be aware that WECS offer other options as
well.

What are the advantages & disadvantages of wind energy conversion system
Advantages of WECS
Advantages of wind energy are:

(i) It is a renewable source of energy.

(ii) Like all forms of solar energy, wind power systems are non- polluting, soit
has no adverse influence on the environment.
(iii) Wind energy systems avoid fuel provision and transport.

(iv) on a small scale upto few kilowatt system is less costly. On a large scale
cost can be competitive with conventional electricity & lower costs could be achieved by
mass production.

Disadvantages of wind energy are:

(i) Wind energy available in dilute & fluctuating in nature

(ii) Unlike water energy wind energy needs storage capacity because of its
irregularity

(iii) Wind energy systems are noisy in operation; a large unit can be heard
many kilometres away.
(iv) Wind power systems have a relatively high overall weight, because they
involve the construction of a high tower and include also a gearbox, a hub and pitch changer,
a generator coupling shaft etc. For large systems a weight of 110 kg/kW (rated) has been
estimated.

(v) Large areas are needed, typically, propellers 1 to 3 min diameter, deliver
power in the 30 to 300 W range.

(vi) Present systems are neither maintenance free not-practically reliable.

However, the fact that highly reliable propeller engines are built for aircraft suggest that the
present troubles could be overcome by industrial development work.
CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION OF WIND MACHINES

The basic wind energy conversion device is the wind turbine. Although various designs and
configurations exist, these turbines are generally grouped into two types depending on the
position of the rotor axis. Figure 6.8 illustrates the two types of turbines and typical
subsystems for an electricity generation application.

Two important wind rotor configurations are as follows:

1. In vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT), the axis of rotation is vertical with respect to the
ground (and roughly perpendicular to the wind stream), as shown in Figure 6.8(a). The
following are the two main types of VAWT:

(a) Darrieus (which uses lift forces generated by aerofoils)

(b) Savonius (which uses drag forces)

2. Horizontal-axis turbines(HAWT), in which the axis of rotation is horizontal with respect

to the ground (and roughly parallel to the wind stream), as represented in Figure 6.8(b).
Horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWT) can be further divided into three types:

(a) Dutch windmills

(b) Multi-blade water-pumping windmills

(c) High-speed propeller-type wind machines

Sketch the diagram of Horizontal-axis Wind Turbines & explain the function
of its main components

Horizontal-axis Wind Turbines

HAWTs have emerged as the most successful type of turbines. These are being used for
commercial energy generation in many parts of the world.

1. Main Components The constructional details of most common, three-blade rotor,

horizontal axis wind turbine are shown in Fig. Main parts are as follows:
(a) Turbine Blades Turbine blades are made of high-density wood or glass fiber and epoxy
composites. They have airfoil type cross-section. The blades are slightly twisted from the
outer tip to the root to reduce the tendency to stall. In addition to centrifugal force and fatigue
due to continuous vibrations there are many extraneous forces arising from wind turbulence,
gust, gravitational forces and directional changes in the wind, etc.

(b) Hub The central solid portion of the rotor wheel is known as hub. All blades ate attached
to the hub. Mechanism for pitch angle control is also provided inside the hub.

(c) Nacelle The term nacelle is derived from the name for housing containing the engines of
an aircraft. The rotor is attached to nacelle, mounted at the top of a tower. It contains rotor
brakes, gearbox, generator and electrical switchgear and control. Brakes are used to stop the
rotor when power generation is not desired. Gearbox steps up the shaft rpm to suit the
generator. Protection and control functions are provided by switchgear and control block. The
generated electrical power is conducted to ground terminals through a cable.

(d) Yaw Control Mechanism The mechanism to adjust the nacelle around vertical axis to
keep it facing the wind is provided at the base of nacelle

(e) Tower supports nacelle and rotor. For medium and large sized turbines, the tower is
slightly taller than the rotor diameter. In case of small sized turbine, the tower is much larger
than the rotor diameter as the air is erratic at lower heights. Both steel and concrete towers are
being used. The construction can be either tubular or lattice type.

2. Types of Rotors
Depending on the number of blades, wind speed and nature of applications, rotors have been
developed in various types of shapes and sizes.

Large HAWTs have been manufactured with two and three blades. A single-blade rotor, with
a balancing counterweight is economical, has simple controls but it is noisier and produces
unbalanced forces. It is used for low-power applications.

Yaw Control System Adjusting the nacelle about vertical axis to bring the rotor facing the
wind is known as yaw control. The yaw control system continuously orients the rotor in the
direction of wind.

Pitch Control System Pitch of a blade is controlled by rotating it from its root, where it is
connected to the hub. Pitch control mechanism is provided through the hub using hydraulic
jack in the nacelle. The control system continuously adjusts the pitch to obtain optimal
performance.

Discuss the advantages & disadvantages of HAWT

Advantages of Horizontal-axis Wind Turbines

1. Stability: Blades are to the side of the turbines’ centre of gravity, helping stability.

2. Ability to wing warp: This gives the turbine blades the best angle of attack.

3. Ability to pitch the rotor blades in a storm to minimize damage: Variable blade pitch,
which gives the turbine blades the optimum angle of attack. Allowing the angle of attack to
be remotely adjusted gives great control, so the turbine collects the maximum amount of
wind energy for the time of day and season.

4. Tall tower allows access to strong wind in sites with wind shear: In some wind shear sites,
every 10 m up, the wind speed can increase by 20% and the power output by 34%.

5. High efficiency: Since the blades always move perpendicularly to the wind, and receives
power through the whole rotation. In contrast, all VAWT, and the most proposed airborne
wind turbine designs involve various types of reciprocating actions, requiring airfoil surfaces
to backtrack against the wind for part of the cycle. Backtracking against the wind leads to
inherently low efficiency.

6. Tall tower allows placement on uneven land or in offshore locations.

7. Can be sited in forest above tree-line.

8. Most are self-starting

Disadvantages of Horizontal-axis Wind Turbines

1. It is difficult to transport (20% of equipment costs) and install. Tall masts and blades are
more difficult to transport and install. Transportation and installation can now cost 20% of
equipment costs. Further, it requires tall cranes and skilled operators.

2. Strong tower construction is required to support the heavy blades, gearbox, and generator.

3. Effect radar in proximity reflections from tall HAWTs may affect side lobes of radar
installations creating signal clutter, although filtering can suppress it.

4. Local opposition to aesthetics mast height can make them obtrusively visible across large
areas, disrupting the appearance of the landscape, and sometimes creating local opposition.

5. Fatigue and structural failure caused by turbulence downwind variants suffer from fatigue
and structural failure caused by turbulence when a blade passes through the tower’s wind
shadow (for this reason, the majority of HAWTs use an upwind design, with the rotor facing
the wind in front of the tower).

6. Difficult to maintain.

7. They require an additional yaw control mechanism to turn the blades toward the wind

Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT)

Main Importance of a VAWT are:

(i) it can accept wind from any direction, eliminating the need of yaw control.

(ii) gearbox, generator etc. are located at the ground, thus eliminating the heavy nacelle at the
top of the tower. This simplifies the design and installation of the whole structure, including
tower.

(iii) the inspection and maintenance also gets easier and

(iv) it also reduces the overall cost.

1. Main Components

The constructional details of a vertical axis wind turbine (Darrieus type rotor) are shown in
Fig. 7.23. The details of main components are as follows:
(a) Tower (or Rotor Shaft) The tower is a hollow vertical rotor shaft, which rotates freely
about vertical axis between top and bottom bearings. It is installed above a support structure.
In the absence of any load at the top, a very strong tower is not required, which greatly
simplifies its design. The upper part of the tower is supported by guy ropes. The height of the
tower of a large turbine is around 100 m.

(b) Blades It has two or three thin, curved blades shaped like an eggbeater in profile, with
blades curved in a form that minimizes the bending stress caused by centrifugal forces-the so-
called ‘Troposkien’ profile. The blades have airfoil crosssection with constant chord length.

(c) Support Structure Support structure is provided at the ground to support the weight of
the rotor. Gearbox, generator, brakes, electrical switchgear and controls are housed within
this structure.

2. Types of Rotors Various types or rotors for VAWTs are shown in Fig. 7.24.

The Savonius or S-rotor consists of two half cylinders attached to a vertical axis and facing in
opposite directions to form a two-vaned rotor. It has high starting torque, low speed and low
efficiency. It can extract power even from very slow wind, making it working most of the
time. These are used for low power applications. High starting torque particularly makes it
suitable for pumping applications, using positive displacement pumps

Darrieus rotor is used for large-scale power generation. Power coefficient is considerably
better than S-rotor. It runs at a large tip-speed ratio. The aerodynamic force on the blade
reverses in every revolution causing fatigue. This along with centrifugal force complicates
the design of the blade. One of the drawbacks of this rotor is that it is usually not self-starting.
Movement may be initiated by using electrical generator as motor.

Advantages of Vertical-axis Wind Turbines (VAWT)

1. The turbine generator and gearbox can be placed lower to the ground, thus facilitating
easy maintenance and low construction costs.

2. The main advantage of VAWT is it does not need to be pointed towards the wind to be
effective. In other words, they can be used on the sites with high variable wind direction.

3. Since VAWT are mounted close to the ground, they are more bird friendly and do not
destroy the wildlife.

4. VAWT is quiet, efficient, economical, and perfect for residential energy production,
especially in urban environments.

Disadvantages of Vertical-axis Wind Turbines (VAWT)

Despite the abovementioned advantages, VAWT suffer from the following serious
drawbacks.

1. As the VAWT are mounted close to the ground, less wind speed is available to harness,
which means less production of electricity.

2. VAWT are very difficult to erect on towers, which means they are installed on base, such
as ground or building.

3. Another disadvantage of VAWT is the inefficiency of dragging each blade back through
the wind

Generating System

The basic components of a wind electric conversion system are shown in Fig.
 Aeroturbines convert wind energy into rotary mechanical energy. A mechanical
interface, consisting of a step-up gear and a suitable coupling transmits the energy to
an electrical generator. The output of this generator is connected to the load or
system grid.
The controller senses the wind direction, wind speed, power output of the generator
and other necessary performance quantities of the system and initiates appropriate
control signals to take suitable corrective actions. The system should be protected
from excessive temperature rise of the generator, electrical faults and extra wind
conditions.
The choice of an electrical generator and control method to be employed can
be decided by consideration of the following three factors:
(i) the basis of operation i.e., either constant tip speed or constant tip speed
ratio.
(ii) the wind-power rating of the turbine and
(iii) the type of load demand e.g., battery connection.

Wind power ratings can bedivided into three convenient grouping, small to 1 kW, medium
to 50 kW and large 200 kW to megawatt frame size.

Electrical generators types applicable to each of these ratings are:

Small-permanent, magnet, d.c. generators.

Medium-permanent magnet, d.c. generator, induction generator, synchronous generator.
Large-induction generator, synchronous generator.

Schemes for Electric generation

Several schemes for electric generation have been developed. These schemes can be
broadly classified under three categories:
(i) Constant speed constant frequency systems (CSCF)
(ii) Variable speed constant frequency systems
(iii) Variable speed variable frequency systems
(1) Constant speed constant frequency system (CSCF). Constant speed drive has been
used for large generators connected directly to the grid where constant frequency
operation is essential.
(a) Synchronous Generator. For such machines the requirement of constant speed is
very rigid and only minor fluctuations about 1% for short durations (fraction of a
second) could be allowed. Synchronization of wind driven generatorwith power grid
also will pose problems with gusty winds.
(b) An induction generator is a type of electrical generator that is mechanically and
electrically similar to an induction motor. Induction generators produce electrical
power when their shaft is rotated above the synchronous speed of the equivalent
induction motor, the machine becomes a generator and delivers constant line
frequency power to the grid
Induction generators are often used in wind turbines and some
 micro-hydro installations. Induction generators are mechanically and electrically
simpler than other generator types. They are also more rugged, requiring no brushes or
commutator.
(ii) Variable speed constant frequency scheme. (VSCF Scheme). Variable
speed drive is typical for most small wind generators used in autonomous applications,
generally producing variable frequency and variable voltage output. The variable
speed operation of wind electric system yield higher outputs for bothlow and high
wind speeds. This results in higher annual energy yields per rated installed kW
capacity. Both horizontal axis and vertical axis turbines will exhibit this gain under
variable speed operation.
The popular schemes to obtain constant frequency output are as follows:
(a) AC-DC-AC link. With the advent of high powered thyristors and high voltage
d.c. transmission systems, a.c. output of the 3-phase alternator is rectified using a bridge rectifier
and then converted back to a.c. using line commutated inverters. They utilise an a.c. source
(power lines) which periodicallyreverses polarity and causes the commutation to occur naturally.
Since frequency is automatically fixed by the power line, they are also known as synchronous
inverters. The block diagram of the system is shown in Fig. (6.32).

(b) Double output Induction generator. In this system a slip ring induction motor is used as
shown in fig.

Rotor power output at slip frequency is converted to line frequency power by

rectification & inversion output power is obtained both from stator & rotor & hence
this device is called Double output Induction generator
(c) A.C. commutation generator. This system is also known as Scherbius
system employs two polyphase windings in the stator and a commutator
winding on the rotor. Basic problems in employing this device for wind energy
conversionare the cost and the additional maintenance and the care required by the
commutator and the brush gear.

(iii) Variable Speed Variable Frequency (VSVF) Schemes. Since resistive

heating loads are essentially frequency insensitive, the a.c. generator can be effected
at a variable frequency corresponding to the changing derive speed. For this purpose
capacitor excited (self-excited) squirrel case induction machines can be
conveniently used. Such a scheme is shown in Fig. (6.11.5).

These systems are gaining importance for stand alone wind power applications. The
magnitude and frequency of the emf depends on the value of the load impedance,
prime-mover speed and excitation capacitance.

Energy Storage
 Storage adds flexibility to use of WECS in that it permits peak shaving and
capacity saving as well as fuel saving.
 Storage makes it possible to deliver electric load power demand during times
when wind is below normal or non-existent.
 It improves the reliability of the wind electric system. The energy may be used
in a variety of forms, e.g., as heat, mechanical, electrical chemical and
magnetic.
 For wind turbines with power outputs upto about 20 kW, direct- current
generators can be used to charge batteries directly. For higher powers,
alternating current, generators are required and the current must be rectified for
battery charging.
  The chemical reaction taking place in the cell or battery when it is charged is
reversed when the cell is discharged. Thus in the charged cell, electrical energy
is stored as chemical energy, which can be recovered as electrical energy
when the cell is discharged. Direct current from the batteries can be utilized to
heat water for space heating and for domestic hot water , and to operate lights
and small tools and appliances. Conversion into alternating current by means
of an inverter may be necessary for large tools and appliances and for
television sets.
 Other kind of storage is in agricultural operations. For example,if the wind
energy is to be used for heating green houses or drying crops, it can be stored
as hot water(heat storage).(The mechanical motion produced by the wind
turbine can be converted directly into heat by frictional effects.
 In water power storage or mechanical storage, high-power aerogenerators are
integrated with an electric utility, a favorable situation would be operation of
several wind turbines in connection with a hydroelectric power plant. If the
total power, wind and hydroelectric being generated exceeds the demand,
the hydroelectric plant can be partly shutdown, alternatively, the excess
power could be used to pump water from an auxillary reservoir at the
bottom of the dam back into the main reservoir. In this way, the overall
capacity of the hydroelectric system would be increased.
 Another alternative; for possibly storing energy, is to store the energy in a
volume of compressed air. A wind turbine could be created which would
directly pump air into a suitable pressurized storage tank. Then later when
the wind is not blowing, the energy stored in the air could be utilized to
drive an air turbine whose shaft would then drive a generator, thus
supplying the needed electric power when the wind is not blowing.

Derive relationship between Torque coefficient CT, Power coefficient CP & tip speed
ratio λ
A wind turbine will always operate at a speed that produces enough torque to balance
the load's torque requirement exactly. Hence, if the characteristics of both the load
and the rotor torque speed are known, the
 system performance can be defined.
Torque coefficient CT is defined as

where, T = shaft torque, and Tmax = torque at maximum efficiency.

The maximum conceivable torque T on a turbine rotor would occur if the maximum
thrust could some how be applied at the blade tip furthest from the axis. For a propeller
turbine of radius R

For a working machine producing a shaft torque T, the torque coefficient CT

is defined by

We know the tip speed, ratio λ is defined as the ratio of the outer blade tip speed Vt to
the unperturbed wind speed Vi;

where R is the outer blade radius and ω is the rotational frequency.

Now substituting for R in Tmax formulae

= Pa λ/ω
where Pa is the power in the wind.
The shaft power is the power derived from the turbine Pt, so

Now from equation Pt = CpPa, and thus using above equation

CP Pa = CT Pa λ CP =
CT λ
By the Betz criterion the maximum value of CP is 0.593, so in the 'ideal' case

The torque coefficient CT is numerically equal to CP/ω, where ω is the rotational

speed radian/second. Machines with higher speeds have a slightly higher maximum CP
but a much lower CT, particularly for starting.

Performance of wind machines:

:
Comment on Environmental impact of wind energy
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS

In general, the use of energy in any form, affects the environment in one-way or the other at
different levels. Wind energy is no exception. Although, these effects are of far less
consequence as compared to that related to other sources of energy.
In terms of causing stress on water resources, wind energy is one of the most benign
sources of energy. A major advantage of wind generation relative to any thermal based
generation (nuclear, geothermal, fossil fuel and solar thermal) is that it does not need cooling
water.
Main environmental concerns are discussed below:

1. Indirect Energy Use and Emissions

Energy is required to produce materials used to construct the wind turbine and in its
installation. This energy is paid back in a period of few months to about a year, what is
known as energy payback period. Some pollution (emission of CO2, etc.) is caused due to
use of energy during construction. But in total the so-called indirect CO2 emission over the
total operating life of the wind generator is very low (about 1 per cent of the system using
coal).
2. Bird Life
Large wind turbines pose a threat to bird life as a result of collision with tower or
blades. Their resting and breeding patterns are also affected.
3. Noise
The disturbance caused by the noise produced by wind turbine is one of the
important factors that prevent its sitting close to inhabited areas. The acoustic noise is
composed of
(a) mechanical noise due to movement of mechanical parts in the nacelle (mainly
gear and also other equipment), which can be reduced by good design and acoustic
insulation and
 (b) aerodynamic noise (swishing sound from the rotating blades), which is a
function of wind speed and which cannot be avoided. Some of this noise is of infra sound, at
frequencies below the audible range. This infrasound may cause houses and other structures
to vibrate.
4. Visual Impact
Wind turbines are massive structures quite visible over a wide area in most
locations. Visual impact of wind turbine is qualitative in nature. In a study, it was found that
public appreciation of a landscape decreases as more and more wind turbines are installed.
A special case of visual impact is the effect of shadow of the turbine, particularly of the
rotor blades. Offshore wind farms being away from inhabited areas do not in general create
same severity of visual intrusion.
5. Telecommunication Interference
Wind turbines present an obstacle for incident electromagnetic waves (i.e. TV or
microwave signals). These waves can be reflected, scattered and dithered. Thus they
interfere with telecommunication links and badly affect the quality of radio and TV
reception. The effect can be mitigated by use of cable system or by installing powerful
antennas.

6. Safety
Accidents with wind turbines are rare but they do happen, as in other industrial activities.
For example, a detached blade or its fragment may be thrown a considerable distance and
can harm people and property. However, most wind turbines are located in isolated areas,
which make it less likely to cause any damage. The International Electrical Committee
(IEC) has taken the initiative to produce an international standard on safety.

7. Effects on Ecosystem
Large-scale use of wind generation can reduce wind speed and cause stress to ecosystem.
Lakes that are downhill from the wind turbines might become warmer because of reduced
evaporation from their surface. Soil moisture might also increase. Nevertheless there
impacts may not be of great consequence except in certain sensitive areas.

Explain the Applications of Wind Energy OR Describe main applications of Wind

energy, giving a neat sketch.

Applications of Wind Energy

Energy extracted from the wind is initially energy in the form of rotary, translational, or
oscillatory mechanical motion. This mechanical motion can be used to pump fluids or can be
converted to electricity, heat, or fuel. Some of the
most effective application are those that use energy derived directly from the wind, without
further energy processing, conversion, or storage.

Pumping Application:

A typical wind powered pumping application is one that might use a horizontal- axis wind
machine. Large number of water-pumping wind mills have been used on Indian farms. Other
applications that are being developed include the pumping of water for aqueducts or for
pumped• hydro storage of energy.

The two main end uses of wind pumps (irrigation and water supply) have very different
technical operational and economic requirements. Irrigation designs are generally unsuitable
for water supply duties, which may require heads 10-100 m high. Despite these limitations,
however, water supply pumps are sometimes used for irrigation. Since many water supply
wind pumps must run unattended for most of the time, their design should incorporate
protection devices to prevent over speeding in storms and sturdy parts that required little
attention. Consequently they are usually built of components manufactured from industrial
steel and drivepiston pumps via. reciprocating pump rods.

In pumped hydro applications, the wind units can be used to supply power to
pump from an auxiliary reservoir below hydro electric dam back into the main reservoir
above the dam. This enables the water stored in the main reservoir to be replenished when
the wind is blowing, thereby adding to the capacity of the hydro• electric system to
generate base load electric power.

Fig. wind assisted gas turbine generating unit

 Wind power can also be used compressed air for use in various applications including the
operation of gas turbines for generating electricity during the peak demand periods of a
public utility system.
In one mode of operation, the motor generator operating as a motor and powered by a
wind machine drives the air compressor. The compressed air is fed into a storage tank or
into a large cavern, aquifer, or depleted natural gas well. Under this mode, the power
turbine is inoperative, and no fuel is consumed.

In a second mode of operation, when the demand for power exceeds the
supply of the base-load utility system, the compressor is disengaged, and the power
turbine ia connected to the generator. The burner that drives the power turbine is fed
fuel and compressed air from storage to generate power for the utility system.

Electric Generation Applications:

Wind power can be used in centralize dutility applications to drive

synchronous a.c. electrical generators. In such applications, the energy is fed directly
into power networks through voltage step• up transformers.
 WECS units can be integrated with existing hydro electrical networks and
used in a "water-saver" mode of operation. When the wind is blowing, electrical
generation at the hydroelectric plants in the network canbe reduced by an amountequal
to that being produced by the "WECS units.
Thus part of the network load that is ordinarily produced by the hydroelectric
generators is supplied by the wind turbines. Under these conditions some of the water
that would have been used by the hydroelectric plant to supply the load is saved in the
reservoir & made available for later use when the wind is not blowing.

In dispersed applications, wind power can be used to generate de electrical

power that, in turn, can be used for de applications or space heaters, such as resistance
heaters, or can be stored in batteries and then inverted for used by a.c. loads.

Direct Heat Applications:

Mechanical motion derived from wind power can be used to drive heat pumps
or to produce heat from the friction of solid materials, or by the churning of water or
other fluids, or in other cases, by the use of centrifugal or other types of pumps in
combination with restrictive orifices that produce heat from friction and turbulence
when the working fluid flows through them. This heat may then be stored in materials
having a high heat capacity, such as water, stones, eutectic salts, etc., or the heat may
be used directly for such applications as heating and cooling of water, and air- space
for residential, commercial, industrial & agricultural process heat applications.
A home heating system that uses a wind-powered pump and a restrictive
orifice to derive direct heat for a building, without first generating electricity also has
been developed.
 Examples of typical industrial processes that might be able to use low
temperature heat (i.e., upto approximately 175°C) produced by wind energy include
the following.
(1) Production of inorganic chemicals, including borax, bromine, chlorine,
caustic soda, potassium chloride, and sodium metal.
(2) Production of plastic materials and synthetics such as polyethylene,
poly• vinyl chloride and polystyrene, for which approximately 45% of the process
steam used is in the range of 100-175°C.
(3) Production of organic chemicals such as various types of alcohols and
solvents, synthetic perfumes, flooring materials, rubber processing chemicals, etc.