Types of wind turbines. Scheme, description

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Types of wind turbines. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

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Wind turbines can be connected to the grid and transmit the generated energy to the local power grid, or they can be autonomous, where the consumer is in close proximity to the wind turbine.

Autonomous power supply systems

Any autonomous system, including wind-electric, operates independently of the centralized power supply network. Under these conditions, a wind turbine can operate independently, be used as a backup to any other generator, or be used in combination with other power plants as a component of a combined power supply system. Such systems are used to lift water or to supply electricity to homes, farms or small business premises.

As a rule, low-power autonomous wind turbines generate direct current to charge the battery. The system contains an inverter for converting direct current into alternating current with a voltage of 230 V. Currently, such wind power plants with a power of up to 0,5 kW have become widespread in Russia. Prototypes of wind turbines with a power of 2,5 have been developed and are being used; 5; 8 and 10 kW. Larger systems, such as those used to power multiple sites, typically generate alternating current.

In Russia, there is many years of positive experience in using water-lifting wind turbines on pastures in steppe or desert areas without the use of batteries and backup power sources (gasoline or diesel power plants).

The priority direction for the development of wind energy in Russia in the near future will be the autonomous use of small and medium-sized wind turbines in remote regions of the Far North, because The main wind energy resources of the country are concentrated there, the population density is low, there are no large electrical networks and there are about 17 thousand small settlements where it is advisable to use wind farms for energy supply purposes. In 1996-1998 The first autonomous wind turbines with a capacity of 10 kW were installed in the Murmansk and Arkhangelsk regions.

Obviously, the key factor determining the choice between the use of an autonomous energy system and the installation of power transmission lines (PTL) from the facility to centralized energy supply networks is the competitiveness of the cost characteristics of wind turbines in comparison with connection to the network.

Hybrid Energy System

A hybrid energy system involves the use of wind turbines in conjunction with other energy sources (diesel generator, solar modules, micro hydroelectric power stations, etc.). These energy sources complement wind turbines to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the consumer in calm weather.

Wind-diesel systems

The wind-diesel system consists of a wind turbine and a diesel-electric system (DES) with optimally selected capacities. Typically, a diesel generator is used in combination with a wind turbine when the purpose of using the latter is to save diesel fuel, the cost of which, taking into account delivery costs, can be very high. The power ratio of system components depends on the load generation pattern and wind resources.

The mode of simultaneous parallel operation of wind turbines and diesel power plants is assessed as an insufficiently effective way to use wind turbines, since the share of the wind turbine in the system in terms of power should not exceed 15-20% of the power of the diesel generator. Such modes can be used to save fuel in high-power hybrid installations.

Using the mode of separate operation of wind turbines and diesel power plants makes it possible to increase the share of participation of a wind turbine to 50-60% or more. However, in this case, the complexity of the system is inevitable due to the need to introduce a control system, inverter equipment and batteries that accumulate the energy generated by the wind turbine at operating wind speeds to power the load in calm weather or at low wind speeds. Whenever possible, energy is obtained from the wind turbine, and the batteries are continuously recharged. During periods of calm wind, when the battery charge drops below a certain level, a diesel generator is automatically (or manually) started to provide consumers with energy. This mode significantly reduces the number of starts of the diesel generator and, consequently, leads to a reduction in maintenance and fuel costs. Wind-diesel systems of this type are currently used in the Arkhangelsk and Murmansk regions of Russia.

Hybrid wind-diesel systems with a power from 2 to 500 kW of various designs and purposes are currently being tested, developed or planned for implementation within the framework of the Federal program "Energy supply to remote territories of the Far North of the Russian Federation." As a rule, these hybrid systems are designed to provide reliable power supply to autonomous consumers while simultaneously saving liquid fuel. Large hybrid power plants should work for the local network of northern villages.

The use of a modern wind-diesel system, with due attention to routine maintenance, can be very cost-effective if there are sufficient wind resources in the area where the wind turbine is installed.

Wind-solar systems

Electrical energy can be obtained by converting solar radiation with photovoltaic batteries (PV). Despite the currently rather high cost of FBs, their use in conjunction with wind turbines can be effective in some cases. Since there is a large wind potential in winter, and in summer on clear days the maximum effect can be obtained using FB, the combination of these resources turns out to be beneficial for the consumer.

The use of wind turbines in conjunction with micro hydroelectric power plants

Wind turbines can be used in combination with microhydroelectric power plants that have a water tank. In such systems, in the presence of wind, a wind turbine powers the load, and excess energy is used to pump water from the downstream to the upstream. During periods of wind calm, energy is generated by microhydroelectric power plants. Such schemes are especially effective when hydropower resources are small.

Installations connected to the power grid

Grid-connected wind turbines imply a connection to any existing energy network that supplies the wind turbine with active and reactive power to ensure the startup, operation and control of the wind turbine. This means that the electricity generated by the wind turbine goes directly to the grid. Wind turbines begin to generate energy at a certain wind speed - usually about 4 m/s for most modern installations. The excitation current is taken from the network and used to synchronize the wind turbine generator. This means that if the grid is disconnected, the wind turbine cannot produce energy.

Grid-connected wind turbines are installed in areas with good wind energy resources to produce electricity for sale to energy companies. A group of such turbines constitutes a so-called “wind farm”. A wind farm is a complex of wind turbines, often installed in rows that are perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction. When developing such a project, it is necessary to take into account the availability of roads for access to the units, substations and monitoring and control systems. Typically, a piece of land allocated for a wind farm is also used for other purposes, such as agriculture.

Typically, wind farms use large wind turbines with a capacity of 200 kW to 1,5 MW and above. In this case, the total power of a wind farm can reach tens and hundreds of megawatts. In the state of California (USA), for example, wind farms produce enough electricity to meet the energy needs of a large city such as San Francisco for a year. This type of system is becoming increasingly popular in European countries, where, according to the Kyoto Protocol, the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions is set.

Firms or individuals install one or more large wind turbines and, connecting them to the power grid, sell electricity to energy companies, making a good profit. In cases where energy is spent directly on production needs and, at the same time, the energy generated by wind turbines is not enough, it is possible to obtain it from the network. If the wind turbine fully supplies the production with the necessary electricity if there is a surplus, then the excess energy is supplied to the network.

Connecting the wind turbine to the power grid

If you want to connect a wind turbine to a centralized energy network, you need to find out whether the network has enough power to receive energy from the wind turbine. To do this, you need to contact your local electricity supplier.

Depending on the power of the power grid, the power of the wind turbine is selected. Typically, the maximum power of a wind turbine should not exceed 20% of the power system capacity. This is necessary to maintain the stability of the system and the frequency and voltage parameters in the power supply network.

The cost of connecting the wind turbine to the power grid

The cost of connecting to the power grid depends on its location and power. Obviously, the cost of connection will be higher if the network power is insufficient, since it will be necessary to increase the power of the power network, which may not be technically feasible. In this case, the connection of the wind turbine to the network will be denied.

Rules for connecting to the electrical network vary depending on the country. Many questions can be answered by contacting your local power company.

Authors: Kargiev V.M., Martirosov S.N. and etc.

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