The green energy transition – the process of shifting away from fossil fuels to renewable energy such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, hydrogen or biomass energy – is critical to limiting global warming to the 1.5°C target aspired to in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Wind energy offers many advantages, which explains why it's one of the fastest-growing energy sources in the world. Wind energy has been championed as a safe and renewable energy option for many countries, as it is not uncommon for us to spot wind turbines nowadays.
Wind energy today typically comes in two different “types”: onshore wind farms and offshore wind farms.
Most onshore wind turbines have a capacity of 2-3 megawatts (MW), which can produce over 6 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity every year. That’s enough to meet the electricity demand of around 1,500 average households. Generally, a wind turbine is around 30-45% efficient increasing to 50% during peak wind times. In the UK, wind turbines are typically producing electricity 70-80% of the time, which makes them a reliable source of power throughout the year.
Wind farms can be built more quickly than any other type of power station. The average time to assemble a wind farm that's capable of generating 50 MW of energy is only 6 months. Wind turbines are built to last between 20–25 years. Some parts may need replacing during this time. Buying and installing a commercial wind turbine could cost anywhere from £345,000 for a 100 kW turbine, to £3.13 million for a 3.5 MW turbine.
Domestic Windturbines
As energy costs soar, more and more homeowners are considering installing solar panels on their roofs in a bid to save on energy bills. However, unlike Spain or Italy, the sunnier places, the UK weather can be temperamental and we are prone to dull, cloudy days, especially in winter. That’s why domestic wind turbines are on the rise in the UK - as, unsurprisingly, we are one of the windiest countries in Europe. Generally, 2 main types of wind turbines can be installed at home:
a). Roof-mounted wind turbines
The height advantage of roof-mounted turbine systems provides the necessary wind force to generate electricity, feeding it directly to a property. This type of turbine is easier to install and cheaper than other versions, costing up to £3,000 for a 1kW system.
b). Standalone or pole-mounted wind turbines
This type generates more energy than roof-mounted alternatives. Standalone wind turbines cost between £9,900 and £19,000 for a 2.5kW system, while a 6kW version is likely to be between £21,000 and £30,000.
Limitations and disadvantages of home wind turbines
Even though domestic wind turbines are on the rise, there are still several limitations to the installation of domestic wind turbines if you think about having one, including:
a). Wind speed requirements: For domestic wind turbines to work efficiently, a minimum average wind speed of 10 miles per hour (16 kilometres per hour) is required. In areas with low wind speeds, domestic wind turbines may not generate enough power to be worthwhile.
b). Space requirements: Domestic wind turbines require a lot of space for installation, and they must be positioned high enough to capture wind energy. Most homes may not have sufficient space or be in a location suitable for a wind turbine.
c). Noise: Wind turbines can generate significant noise, which may be a problem in residential areas. This can lead to complaints from neighbours and may make the installation of a wind turbine difficult.
d). Visual impact: Wind turbines can be visually imposing, and some people may not want them in their neighbourhood. They can also lower the value of nearby properties.
e). Cost: The cost of purchasing and installing a domestic wind turbine can be high, and it may take several years to recoup the investment in energy savings.
f). Reliability: Wind turbines can be affected by weather conditions, such as strong winds or lightning strikes. This can lead to mechanical failure and downtime, which can affect the overall reliability of the energy system.
g). Maintenance: Domestic wind turbines require regular maintenance, which can be costly and time-consuming. Without proper maintenance, wind turbines can be prone to external failures – blade damage by foreign objects, like birds – or internal failure – electrical failure triggered by condensation and mechanical failure due to metal degradation.
These limitations can be significant drawbacks for homeowners who want a low-maintenance energy system.
Technical breakthroughs in wind power - Bladeless windmill
Even though wind energy has contributed greatly to the green energy transition, in comparison with other sources of renewable energy, traditional wind energy does have a few drawbacks. As shown below, these include low comparative efficiency, high installation and maintenance costs, and a relatively short life span.
Furthermore, there are potential environmental risks associated with wind turbines, as the blades can be hazardous to birds. They are also susceptible to damage from lightning because of their tall and metallic form. The noise generated by traditional wind turbines can also cause disturbance to residents when built near residential areas. Is it possible to reach a technological breakthrough where wind power can be harvested without the said drawbacks? Some impressive attempts have been made.
EWICON (short for Electrostatic Wind Energy Converter) is a type of wind energy technology that generates electricity using the power of the wind, without the use of rotating blades or turbines. Instead, it utilizes a series of vertical, charged tubes that create an electric field to capture the kinetic energy of the wind and convert it into electrical energy.
The EWICON system consists of a series of charged tubes, which are placed in a way that allows the wind to flow through them. As the wind passes through the tubes, it creates an electric charge which is collected and converted into usable electricity. Because the system does not use any moving parts, it is much quieter and less visually intrusive than traditional wind turbines, making it more suitable for use in urban and suburban environments.
EWICON is still a relatively new technology and is being developed and tested by various research institutions and organizations around the world. It has the potential to be a promising alternative to traditional wind turbines and may offer a more aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly way to generate wind energy.
Vortex Bladeless is a type of wind energy technology that generates electricity using a bladeless turbine design. The technology utilizes the principle of vorticity, which is the tendency of fluids, such as air, to rotate around an axis as they flow. The Vortex Bladeless system consists of a cylindrical mast that supports a curved, cone-shaped structure. As the wind flows around the structure, it creates a vortex, which causes the mast to vibrate. This vibration is then converted into electricity using an electromagnetic generator.
The design of Vortex Bladeless has several advantages over traditional wind turbines. For one, it is much quieter, as it does not have any rotating blades. It is also much less visually intrusive, making it more suitable for use in urban and suburban environments. Additionally, the bladeless design is less prone to mechanical failure, reducing maintenance costs and downtime. Both Vortex Bladeless and EWICON are innovative wind energy technologies that offer potential advantages over traditional wind turbines, such as being quieter and less visually obtrusive. However, they also have their own unique strengths and weaknesses.
In terms of Vortex Bladeless, one of its key strengths is that it has no rotating blades, which reduces the risk of bird strikes and makes it less visually intrusive. Additionally, the technology is less prone to mechanical failure, which can reduce maintenance costs and downtime. However, the efficiency of the technology is still relatively low compared to traditional wind turbines, and it may not be as effective in generating electricity, especially in areas with low wind speeds. It is also currently designed for low-power applications and may not be suitable for large-scale wind energy generation.
On the other hand, EWICON has the potential to be more efficient than Vortex Bladeless, as it utilizes the natural motion of charged water droplets to generate electricity. Additionally, the technology has no moving parts, making it more reliable and requiring less maintenance than traditional wind turbines. However, the current efficiency of the technology is still low, and it is more costly than traditional wind turbines. There are also concerns about its reliability in extreme weather conditions, and it may not be suitable for large-scale wind energy generation.
Overall, both Vortex Bladeless and EWICON have their own unique advantages and challenges.
The future of these technologies will depend on continued research and development to improve their efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, as well as on regulatory and safety considerations. It is possible that they could play a role in the future of wind energy, particularly in urban and suburban environments where traditional wind turbines may not be practical or desirable.