Wind

energy
Introduction:
Wind turbine was built on the idea of the windmill. It is a tool to produce green
and clean electricity, based on the power of the wind.

There are three types of wind turbines:
-the ground wind turbines which is approximately 100m high.
-the offshore wind turbines (sea wind turbines). They are approximately 75 m
of high.
-and the domestic wind turbines (wind turbines at home). They are
approximately 35m of high.

A wind turbine consists in a mast which maintains a propeller, usually made of
three pales, measuring between 5 and 90 meters of diameter, in height,
depending on the type of wind turbine.

Offshore wind
turbines
Ground wind turbines
Domestic wind turbines
Functioning of a wind
turbine :
A wind turbine produces some electricity thanks to the strength of the
wind. All wind turbines work in a similar way. With the strength of the
wind, the so-called propeller rotor starts up, and begins turning. The
rotor is situated at the top of the mast because winds blow more in
height. The propeller pulls an axis in the nacelle, called tree,
connected with an alternator.

Thanks to the energy supplied by the rotation of the axis, the
alternator produces an alternative electric current. A transformer
situated inside the mast raises the electric current tension produced
by the alternator so that it can be more easily transported in lines
with average tension of the network.

To be able to start, wind turbine needs a minimal wind speed:
approximately 10 to 15 kilometers per hour. For reason of safety,
when the wind exceeds 90 kilometers per hour, wind turbine stops.

The maximum speed is of 50 kilometers per hour.
Wind turbines in the world and in
Reunion Island :
In the world, in 2007, we counted approximately 50'000 wind turbines, with
nearly 600 in France. We can find wind turbines in fields, exposed to windy
places. And even at sea, there are wind farms. In France we find them
especially in the North, in the Northwest and in the South.


In Reunion, we count approximately 84 wind turbines; the biggest farm is
situated in "Ste Suzanne" with 37 wind turbines, the other park in "Ste Rose"
with 23 wind turbines. There is also a park under construction situated near
the "east river" which will contain approximately 15 machines.


In 2007, the company in charge of these farmss obtained the planning
permission for a new park which will be located in "Ste Marie" on which will
be built 9 new wind turbines. All the wind turbines in Reunion are ground
wind turbines.
Wind turbines farm of Sainte Suzanne
Specificity of wind turbines in cyclonic
environment
The specificity of the wind turbines located in cyclonic area, such as
La Runion, is that they are guyed with cables and metallic wires. So
in case of a cyclon, we lay them down and so they are not broken by
the devastating force of the cyclon. It is also easier to fix them in this
case, when they need repairs, because they are laid down at ground
level. It is thus less expensive to care and maintain.

Students of the project visited the wind farm
of Sainte Suzanne March 4, 2014
Wind farm of St. Suzanne
The company owning the wind farm in Reunion island is called
Arowatts.
There are approximately 1.6 million turnover
There are 37 wind turbines located on 40 000m of land and
only 4 Hectars are used.
Wind turbines are positioned according to the strength and
direction of winds.
There are 450 m distance between wind turbines and the first
habitations for they can be noisy.
Wind turbines installed in Sainte Suzanne are 55 m high and 32
m in diameter.
They support up to 90 km / h wind speed, and as we can see
from the photo, the installed cables are used to sleep when the
wind storm.
A wind turbine St. Suzanne produces kwtt 275 / h, all wind
farm producing 10,175 megawatts which can power 16,000
homes (more than half of the town of Sainte Suzanne)
Advantages and inconvenients:
At the moment, wind turbines present no danger. Some have been in activity for
almost 20 years and accidents are rare (a wind turbine can exceptionally fall down).
The main advantage of wind energy, it does not pollute, it replaces the means of
electric production which pollute. Wind turbines do not reject gas, nor dangerous
substances for the environment and health. They thus pollute less.

But there is a price for "non-pollution" :

-The cost of manufacturing and installing a ground wind turbine is about 1'000 euros
by kilowatt, that is 1 million euros the megawatt.
-Offshore wind turbines are 2 to 4 times more expensive because there are more
technical difficulties for wind turbines at sea.
-Domestic wind turbines cost between 10 000 and 90 000, which can be really
expensive for individuals looking for green electricity.
A field of wind turbines
Conclusion:
To conclude, wind energy is a clean way to produce electricity, but with
high costs which needs to be compared to the electricity needs, to be
sure it is profitable. Some people dislike wind turbine, saying that it
disfigures the landscape. I personally think that it is important to have
green electricity, such as solar panels and wind turbines, and I think that
wind turbine is quite beautiful, although a little too noisy to live nearby.
.

Visiting Sainte Suzanne
wind farm in 4, March 2014