Today, as electricity tariffs increase and people strive to build suburban cottages and summer cottages away from "civilization", many owners of private estates are increasingly turning to the search for 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
Wind electricity generator is a device that converts the kinetic energy of the air flow into mechanical energy. This force starts the rotation of the rotor. Due to his work, subsequently, mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy.
Industrial use
Such devices are being built by large private or state-owned energy companies. Usually they are combined into so-called networks. The result is wind farms. Such industrial networks differ from nuclear or thermal networks in the complete absence of both raw materials (fuel) and waste. In order for the generator for the wind farm to operate without interruptions, the average annual air flow rate must be high. The power of modern systems can reach 7.5 MW.
Some difficulties of operation
An industrial wind generator is mounted on a specially prepared site for seven or ten days. And obtaining permits for the construction of the structure may in some cases take more than a year. In addition, long-term studies are required in the area where the installation of wind generators will be carried out. At least during the year, the direction and speed of the air flow is 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. For 200 years BC, windmills were already being built , 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 were widespread in the country.
Application area
The wind generator can be used directly for its intended purpose, and perform exclusively decorative functions. The propeller can be equipped with a ratchet and put the device in any suitable place. For industrial purposes, a wind generator was used earlier for grinding grain. Today, other equipment is used for these purposes, as a rule. Often used wind generators for the home. Reviews of the owners of suburban real estate indicate 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 a well. Such generators for summer cottages are very relevant. Wind constructions 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 most widely used wind generator to generate electricity.
Classification
If there is a need to purchase a wind generator for a private house, then you should become more familiar with the types of this unit and the principle of operation. The design can be of a carousel type. In this case, there is a vertical axis of rotation. Also, the design can be winged. This means that the axis of rotation of the unit is horizontal. Next, we consider each view separately.
Carousel
Such a wind generator undoubtedly has its advantages. He quickly gaining traction in the process of increasing the force 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 additional devices. The carousel 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 boost reducers. Multipliers have a fairly low efficiency. Without a gearbox, the operation of a wind generator is significantly more difficult.
Wing structure
What is such a generator (windmill)? Reviews of many users speak in favor of this design. The wing-type unit has a lot of advantages compared to the one described above. To the undoubted advantages that such a wind generator has, users include a fairly high rotation speed. Due to this, there is no need for additional use of the multiplier. The blades of the wing structure should be perpendicular to the air flow, i.e. vertically. For this, a stabilizer is used. Another advantage that, according to users, has a vane wind generator, is the high energy conversion coefficient of the air flow. At the same time, the rotation speed in such structures is inversely proportional to the number of blades. In this regard, aggregates have, as a rule, no more than three wings. The wide popularity of such installations is also due to the simplicity of the manufacture of structures.
Device Selection Criteria
First of all, it is necessary to determine exactly the average speed and the preferred direction of the air flow 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 reaches maximum efficiency with a flow of 9-12 m / s. The power of the generator depends on the diameter of the screw and 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. The unit is also equipped with a battery and an inverter. With the help of the latter, DC is converted into an effective alternating current.
Device and network
Most of the units existing today operate with a centralized or local electrical source. As it, for example, can be a diesel generator. The need to use an additional source due to the instability of the air flow. 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 network capacity must be higher than that of a wind generator, at least 1.8 times.
Principle of operation
Powerful air currents drive the blades of a wind generator. They begin to spin. The energy received is transmitted to the multiplier via a rotor. As mentioned above, units can function both individually and in groups. In some designs, multipliers are installed to increase device performance. It should be said that not everyone can purchase such an aggregate. In this regard, some people are building wind generators for the house 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 horizontal, and the second is a vertical wind generator. The latter design, according to the users themselves, is simpler to assemble and install - balancing the device is quite easy. In addition, this system has a higher coefficient of effective wind exposure. The more powerful the device selected for assembly, the greater will be the weight and diameter of the wheel. This, in turn, will complicate the balancing and installation.
Accessories
Before you make a wind generator, you should prepare all the necessary elements and details:
- The battery is 12 V. You can use a car device, but it is better to buy an alternative. Such a battery will be safer and more durable.
- Generator at 12 V.
- Rotor 1.5-2 m.
- Metal barrel or bucket (large). The container is preferably used aluminum or stainless steel.
- Battery charge relay.
- Relays for charging the lamp (automotive, for example).
- Semi-tight switch.
- Junction box.
- Voltmeter. You can use a car.
- A mast whose height is from 2 to 10 meters. You can make it yourself. This will require PVC pipes and metal parts for the base.
- 4 bolts M6.
- Wires.
- Corrosion-proof wire or collars. These elements will be mounted to the mast.
The following tools will also be needed:
- Nippers
- Drill and drill.
- Screwdriver.
- The keys.
Mast mounting
Before installing it, 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, it is necessary to take into account the climate and soil properties. Installation of a mast with a wind turbine is carried out after solidification of the solution (at least a week after pouring). You can simply dig a pole into the ground and fix the stretch marks. However, this option is less reliable.
Rotor
The diameter is selected in accordance with the average wind speed. A rotor is made and a pulley is converted (a special friction wheel with a rim or a groove around the circle, designed to transmit movement to a drive belt or rope). In fact, when the wind is at a speed of up to 6-7 m / s, the power of the element 3 m will be higher.
Wings
The barrel is divided into 4 equal parts. To do this, use a tape measure and marker. The blades are cut with scissors for metal. The wings are then fixed to the pulley and bottom. As fasteners use bolts. Places for them should be measured very accurately, otherwise in the future they will often have to adjust the rotation. The blades bend carefully, within reason, to prevent excessive gusts during air flow.
Assembly
Connect wires to the generator and assemble the circuit in the electrical box. The unit is attached to the mast. The wires are fixed on the pole and generator. Next, the unit, and then the battery is connected to the circuit. Using wires with a cross section of up to 2.5 kW, the load is connected. Depending on the degree of bending of the blades, the rotation speed is set. Such an aggregate should be enough to provide energy to a country house or cottage.
Increase in productivity
When the mast is raised to 20-25 meters, the air flow rate will increase by 30%. At the same time, energy production will be increased up to 1.5 times. This option is used at reduced wind speeds (up to 4 m / s). With a high mast, the influence of trees and buildings will be eliminated. Here's how to make a wind generator yourself.
Industry development
Today you can buy a home wind generator at an affordable cost. This indicates the constant and active development of this industry. By purchasing or assembling the unit yourself, you can ensure the energy independence of your own home for a fairly long time. As a rule, for a small structure, an aggregate with a rated power of 1 kW is enough. In this case, the wind speed at the site of the device should be 8 m / s. If there is no stable air flow in the area, or if it is weak, the device can be equipped with a diesel generator or photoelectric elements. In Russia today, only the emergence of a tendency to install wind generators is noted. Only domestic manufacturers of low-power household appliances are presented on the domestic market. The cost of wind generators per 1 kW in a complete set starts from 35-40 thousand rubles. These are prices two years ago. To install the device there is no need to issue a certificate.
Disadvantages and advantages of operation
Despite the constant increase in energy tariffs, the cost of electricity itself is not in any way significant in the bulk of production at other costs. For the consumer today, the key factors are stability and reliability of supply. The main reasons that provoke a rise in the cost of energy for industrial use received from wind generators are:
- The need for autonomous functioning for some time. In these cases, batteries are used.
- The need for industrial-grade electrical energy. 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 include:
- The high cost of batteries. It is approximately 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 modern UPSs with double conversion and the presence of a common network. Today, from an economic point of view, it is most advisable for industrial purposes to receive, using a wind generator, not electricity, but direct or alternating current. Subsequently, it is converted into heat for hot water and heating housing. For this, heating elements are used. This scheme has its advantages. In particular, in this case a conventional boiler with water can act as an energy accumulator; less stringent requirements for uninterrupted operation and quality of supply are imposed for heat consumption.