Renewable Energy:

Wind Farms

A collection of wind turbines installed at strategic locations to harness the maximum amount of wind energy for conversion in to electrical energy is a wind farm. Wind farms span over thousands of kilometers, however, the land can also be utilized for agricultural purposes. Prior to choosing a location, an extensive monitoring of the locality for steady winds with out surges or ebbs is conducted. This process is called, “wind atlas,” creation and will have to be done irrespective of meteorological indicators. The site potential is heavily dependent on accurate prediction of wind direction and speed, therefore, the survey process is continues for an entire year through the anemometers to determine wind speed and wind vanes to determine direction. These are mounted on high towers reaching 30-60 meters. These monitoring devices are dissembled in two or three years. In addition to wind specifications, wind wills must have access to local transmission lines for successfully step-up electricity, transmit and store the same.

The ideal location a wind farm is in high altitudes where winds are faster, air viscosity and surface drag is lower. The wind power law states that wind power increases proportionally to the seventh root of altitude. There is a variation with obstruction from jutting edges, trees and so on, therefore to avoid this the tower height can be doubled to increase wind speeds by 10%, which raises power output by 34%. Such installations are also often close to coast (3kmts) to take advantage of high sea winds. Other near-shore installations are also made close to the sea but on level ground, where large acres of open space present a prime opportunity. These locations have the advantages of both offshore and on-shore conditions as convection currents due to differential heating of land and water come into play. Those farms that are classified as offshore are 10 kilometers away from the land. These installations are most productive as wind power over sea surfaces are considerably higher than speed of wind on land. The costs for installation would be relatively higher than land depending upon the shore/floor terrain with height of towers being greater. Transmission of power generated is through undersea cables and if a large distance is to be covered they also utilize high-voltage direct current. The salty conditions corrode equipment-making maintenance more expensive. Cathodic protection devices are sometimes installed to prevent injury to equipment. However, the high fixed-costs for offshore installations are mitigated by increased production to give a good viability. Moving large equipment and installation devices on sea may also be easier offshore than on land. Precise placement and adjustment of turbines also greatly affect productivity.

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The largest number of wind farms are found in Germany which have produces 20,622 MW of powering 2006. Spain is ranked second in EU and this country produces 11,615 MW of electricity, Denmark is third generating 3136 MW of wind power, Italy fourth has an estimated production of 2123 MW of wind power capacity. The USA is second only to Germany in the number of installations with a capacity of 18,302 MW of power generation capacity. In Asia, India has taken the initiative to install a wind generation capacity of 7660MW, while China’s wind power capacity is increasing in leaps and bound with the current capacity being 6000 MW. There has been considerable wind power generation capacity being built down under in Australia and New Zealand as well.

Although this source is a little inconsistent, efforts are being made to improve storage so that this clean viable energy source may be adequately utilized in the future.

Form more information on wind farms, wind farm locations, wind farm maps, solar maps, geothermal energy maps, biofuel maps, biomass maps, landfill locations, ethanol refineries, and electricity infrastructure maps,visit the Rextag Strategies Products Page for a closer look at our U.S. RenewableEnergy Infrastructure and Resources Wall Map (also available in PDF format) and or our Renewable Energy GIS Data Page.