Today, as electricity tariffs rise and people's desire to build country cottages and dachas away from "civilization" increases, many owners of private estates are increasingly turning to alternative energy sources. The cheapest at the moment is wind power. For its use, special devices are designed. Further in the article, we will consider what a wind generator is.
Terminology
Windmill electricity generator is a device that converts the kinetic energy of the air flow into mechanical. This force starts the rotation of the rotor. As a result of its work, mechanical energy is subsequently converted into electrical energy.
Industrial use
Such devices are built by large private or public energy companies. Usually they are combined into so-called networks. The result is wind farms. These industrial networks are differentfrom nuclear or thermal by the complete absence of both raw materials (fuel) and waste. In order for the wind farm generator to work without failure, the average annual air flow rate must be high. The power of modern systems can reach 7.5 MW.
Some operational difficulties
The industrial wind generator is mounted on a specially prepared site within seven or ten days. And obtaining permits for the construction of a structure can take more than a year in some cases. In addition, long-term studies are needed at the site where the installation of wind generators will be carried out. At least during the year, the direction and speed of air flows are studied. All these activities significantly increase the period of implementation of projects.
Brief historical background
It is worth noting that people began to use wind energy in ancient times. A simple example is a sail. Windmills were already being built 200 years before our era, and after the discovery of electricity, people began to try to use the power of air currents to obtain it. Until the 50s of the previous century, there was continuous work on the design and design of new equipment in the Soviet Union. Wind generators have been widely used in the country.
Scope of application
The wind generator can be used directly for its intended purpose, or it can perform purely decorative functions. The propeller can be equipped with a ratchet and putdevice to any suitable location. For industrial purposes, a wind generator was used earlier for grinding grain. Today, other equipment is used for these purposes, as a rule. Wind generators are often used for the home. Reviews of owners of suburban real estate testify to the effectiveness of such a design in the process of pumping water. So, according to some users, the unit is able to lift about 30-50 liters / hour from a well or well. Such generators are very relevant for giving. Wind structures are often indispensable where there are interruptions in the supply of current to the network. They are also used to start the heating system. However, the wind generator is most widely used for generating electricity.
Classification
If it became necessary to purchase a wind generator for a private house, then you should learn more about the types of this unit and the principle of operation. The design can be carousel type. In this case, it has a vertical axis of rotation. Also, the design can be winged. This means that the axis of rotation of the unit is horizontal. Next, consider each type separately.
Carousel design
Such a wind generator undoubtedly has its merits. It quickly gains traction in the process of increasing the strength of the air flow. Subsequently, the rotation speed is almost at the same level. This design independently monitors the direction of the wind. This means that she does not need additionalfixtures. The carousel-type wind generator is slow-moving. This allows the use of fairly simple schemes. At the same time, low-speed significantly limits the use of structures. This is due to the fact that there is a need to additionally use step-up gearboxes. Multipliers have a fairly low efficiency. Without a gearbox, the operation of a wind generator is significantly more difficult.
Wing design
What is such a generator (wind)? Reviews of many users speak in favor of this design. The wing-type unit has a lot of advantages compared to those described above. To the undoubted advantages that such a wind generator has, users attribute a fairly high rotation speed. Thanks to this, there is no need for additional use of the multiplier. The blades of the vane structure must be located perpendicular to the air flow, that is, vertically. For this, a stabilizer is used. Another advantage that users say the vane wind generator has is the high energy conversion efficiency of the air flow. At the same time, the rotation speed in such designs is inversely proportional to the number of blades. In this regard, the units have, as a rule, no more than three wings. The wide popularity of such installations is also due to the ease of manufacture of structures.
Device selection criteria
First of all, it is necessary to determine exactly the average speed andthe preferred direction of airflow at the place where the unit will operate. You should be aware of some parameters. So, the initial speed at which the rotation of the blades starts is 2 m/s. The unit achieves maximum efficiency with a flow of 9-12 m / s. The power of the generator depends on the diameter of the propeller and the wind speed.
Design Features
What does a home wind generator consist of? The design itself includes a wheel with blades. It also has a gearbox. This mechanism is designed to convert and transmit torque. Also in the design there is a mast. The device itself is installed on it. Also, the unit is equipped with a battery and an inverter. With the help of the latter, the direct current is converted into an effective alternating current.
Device & Network
Most of the units that exist today operate with a centralized or local electrical source. For example, it can be a diesel generator. The need to use an additional source is explained by the instability of air flows. In this case, the network performs a stabilizing task. There are certain conditions for the use of such structures. One of the main ones is that the power of the network must necessarily be higher than that of a wind generator, at least 1.8 times.
Working principle
Powerful air currents drive the blades of a wind generator. They start spinning. The received energy is transferred to the multiplier through the rotor. howIt was said above that the units can function both individually and in groups. In some designs, multipliers are installed to improve device performance. It should be said that not everyone can purchase such a unit. In this regard, some people build wind generators for their home with their own hands. How to do this, we will consider further.
Type of unit
What are wind generators for home? There are two types of devices. The first is a horizontal and the second is a vertical wind generator. The latter design, according to the users themselves, is easier to assemble and install - balancing the device is quite easy. In addition, this system has a higher coefficient of effective wind action. The more powerful the device chosen for assembly, the greater will be the weight and diameter of the wheel. This, in turn, will make balancing and installation more difficult.
Components
Before you make a wind generator, you should prepare all the necessary elements and details:
- 12 V battery. You can use a car device, but it's better to buy an alternative one. Such a battery will be safer and more durable.
- Generator 12 V.
- Rotor 1.5-2 m.
- Metal barrel or bucket (large). It is desirable to use a container made of aluminum or stainless steel.
- Battery charging relay.
- Relay for lamp charging (automotive, for example).
- Semi-sealed switch.
- Junction box.
- Voltmeter. You can use the car.
- Mast, the height of which is from 2 to 10 meters. You can also make it yourself. This will require PVC pipes and metal parts for the base.
- 4 M6 bolts.
- Wires.
- Stainless wire or clamps. These elements will be attached to the mast.
You will also need the following tools:
- Cutters.
- Drill and drills.
- Screwdriver.
- Keys.
Mounting the mast
Before its installation, it is necessary to fill the foundation in accordance with the volume of the base and the cross section of the pipe. In this case, climate and soil properties should be taken into account. Installation of a mast with a wind turbine is carried out after the mortar has solidified (at least a week after pouring). You can simply dig a pole into the ground and fix the guy wires. However, this option is less reliable.
Rotor
The diameter is chosen according to the average wind speed. A rotor is made and a pulley is remade (a special friction wheel with a rim or a groove around the circumference, designed to transmit movement to a drive belt or rope). In fact, with wind speeds up to 6-7 m/s, the power of a 3 m element will be higher.
Wings
The barrel is divided into 4 equal parts. For this, a tape measure and a marker are used. The blades are cut with scissors for metal. The wings are then fixed to the pulley and bottom. As fastenersbolts are used. Places for them should be measured very accurately, otherwise in the future you will often have to adjust the rotation. The blades fold gently, within reason, to prevent unnecessary gusts in the airflow.
Assembly
Wires are connected to the generator and the circuit is assembled in the switch box. The unit is attached to the mast. The wires are fixed on the pole and the generator. Next, the unit, and then the battery is connected to the circuit. With the help of wires, the cross section of which is up to 2.5 kW, the load is connected. Depending on the degree of bending of the blades, the rotation speed is set. Such a unit should be enough to provide energy for a country house or cottage.
Increased productivity
When the mast is raised up to 20-25 meters, the airflow speed will increase by 30%. At the same time, energy production will also be increased up to 1.5 times. This option is used at reduced wind speed (up to 4 m/s). With a high mast, the influence of trees and buildings will be eliminated. Here's how to make your own wind turbine.
Industry Development
Today you can buy a home wind generator at a reasonable cost. This speaks of the constant and active development of this industry. By purchasing or assembling the installation yourself, you can ensure the energy independence of your own home for quite a long time. As a rule, a unit with a rated power of 1 kW is sufficient for a small building. At the same time, the wind speed in the area of operation of the deviceshould be 8 m/s. If there is no stable air flow in the area, or it is weak, the device can be equipped with a diesel generator or photovoltaic cells. In Russia today, only the emergence of a tendency to install wind generators is noted. Only a few manufacturers of low-power units for domestic needs are represented on the domestic market. The cost of wind turbines for 1 kW in a complete set starts from 35-40 thousand rubles. These are prices from two years ago. There is no need to issue a certificate to install the device.
Disadvantages and advantages of exploitation
Despite the constant growth of energy tariffs, the cost of electricity itself is not to any extent a significant value in the bulk of industries with other costs. For the consumer today, stability and security of supply are key factors. The main reasons that provoke a rise in the cost of energy for industrial use, obtained from wind generators, are:
- The need for autonomous operation for some time. Batteries are used in these cases.
- The need for industrial quality electrical power. An inverter is used for this.
- The need for continuous uptime. In such cases, diesel generators are additionally used.
As for the use of devices in everyday life, the disadvantages of operation should include:
- The high cost of batteries. She isapproximately 25% of the price of the device itself.
- The relatively high cost of the inverter.
- To ensure a reliable supply of electricity, a diesel generator is used in some cases. Its cost is comparable to the price of the device itself.
However, it should be noted that these factors lose their relevance with a modern double conversion UPS and a common network. Today, from an economic point of view, it is most expedient for industrial purposes to receive with the help of a wind generator not electricity, but direct or alternating current. Subsequently, it is converted into heat for hot water and home heating. For this, heating elements are used. This scheme has its advantages. In particular, in this case, an ordinary boiler with water can act as an energy accumulator, for heat consumption there are not such strict requirements for the continuity and quality of supply.
