Wind Power

In the first two parts of How Does Wind Power Works we examined two concepts. The first riding the wind, the type of windpower we use for sailing. The second article examined catching the wind. This is wind power that is typically used for windmills and wind generators.

The third and final article of How Does Wind Power Work is focused on how we are making strides in using both riding the wind and catching the wind at the same time.  This is a relatively new concept in wind power.  Many of the designs we mention are in the research and development stage.

One of the styles being tested is to use kites or blimps to ride the wind. These specially designed kites, blimps, and balloons are then fitted with blades or wind turbines. The advantage of this is that the higher the elevation of a wind catching device the more wind is available.

One of the most intriguing devices being built and tested today combines solar and wind power. A large blimp fitted with solar panels has wind turbines attached to it also. These concepts are designed for windpower off of the ground. What if we could take these concepts and make them more grounded.

I have often thought about hybrid cars. The cars run on electricity that is stored in a large battery. Keeping the battery charged is essential. Most wind power becomes efficient at 20 miles per hour. I think you can see the premise.

If a hybrid car was fitted with solar panels and a bank of the new ultra efficient wind turbines. The use of a bank of mini turbines that rose in the roof panel of the car when the car hit highway speed. These wind turbines would be subjected to up to 60 mile per hour wind.

The power generated could be sent to the battery for charging it or used to run the auxiliary electrical in the car such as radios and headlights. I am not an engineer but this just seems to make sense. I would love to hear from some techies out there to know why or why not this is feasible.

I hope you have enjoyed this series of How Does Wind Power Work.

Technorati Profile

In the first phase of How Wind Power Works we examined 1 of 3 aspects of windpower. This was “Riding the Wind” or the use of windpower to move a physical object from point A to point B or simply just for recreational purposes.

The second phase of “How Wind Power Works” we will examine what I call “Catching The Wind” This is probably the aspect of wind power most of us are familiar with. The use of windmills and wind generators are the best example of this form of wind power.

Catching the wind occurs everyday and all around us. A few examples of this in everyday life are: Having to comb our hair after we come inside on a windy day to having to put a section of wooden privacy fence back up after the wind has blown it down.

From a fine strand of hair to a large heavy fence panel the wind does not discriminate. This type of “Catching the Wind” demonstrates the physical aspect that is used in mechanical windpower.  We see this at work in windmills that pump water or at one time crushed grain into flour.

The second aspect of “Catching the Wind” is applied in creating electricity. This is where most of our research and design is centered when engineers are faced with the question of how does wind power work. I will try to give you a very simple example.

Imagine a fan that ran backwards in the wind and delivered power to the outlet. This would need one missing piece between it and the outlet. The missing piece is a generator. Here is a very brief explanation of a generator.

A spinning copper coil (spun from windpower) is placed between two magnets. This creates a flow of electrons. The electrons or electric charges move through wire and circuits that can be connected to batteries to store the energy or connected to something that needs electric power.

Generators are used everyday and can be very efficient. If you drove a car today you used one. As you can see the biggest challenge to wind power is how to catch the wind.

The aspect of catching wind is being refined. Some methods of wind catching are now using both “Riding the Wind” and “Catching the Wind” Make sure and see phase 3 of “How Does Wind Power Work” to learn about these new efficient and exciting wind power techniques.

Phase 3 of “How Does Wind Power Work” still needs a name. You suggestions are appreciated.

Well, the short version to the question “How does wind power work” is: Wind power works well, it has worked for a long time, and it works better than ever today. 

My experience with windpower started before I had ever heard of electricity. I was raised in a small rural town on the south eastern plains of Colorado.  Windpower was essential to our livelihood.

We used wind to pump water for livestock and our own use. Seeing windmills, working on windmills and raising windmills was a part of my life before electricity. Our town was introduced to AC electricity in 1955.

I grew up understanding that you could harness the wind and make it work for you.  This is the closest definition I can give you of how wind power works. The key point is being to harness the wind, an unseen but not unfelt force. We can look at a few examples that man has used with great success over time.

One of the oldest methods of harnessing windpower may have had the greatest impact on the world as we know it today. The simple act of catching wind with a piece of cloth or a sail is directly responsible for the discovery of America. This type of windpower I like to refer as riding the wind, using the wind to move an object.

You still see this method of windpower (riding the wind) used in several manners today. From skydiving, Para-sailing, wind surfing and traditional sailing boats and yachts. While the concept of riding the wind is mainly seen in recreational activities today at one point it was a huge tool in transportation and discovery.

We have examined the use of wind power as riding the wind, and you may be saying but really “How does wind power work?” We are going to be examining 2 other uses of wind energy. The next is the use of windpower on a stationary object like my old friend the windmill. We will call this “Catching the Wind.”

The final phase of How Does wind power work will focus on a newer practice that incorporates both “catching the wind” and “riding the wind” for now I will call it “combo plate.”

I would welcome your ideas for the name of the 3^rd phase of “How Wind Power Works” stay tuned as phase 2 in this series is coming soon.