Wind Energy Systems – Aspiring for a sustainable future!
Recommended for Preparatory Grades
As per the International Energy Association (IEA), almost every plan for how the world will get its electricity in the future includes wind. But do the “Wind Energy Systems” live up to the promises? What is the big idea behind these systems? Are there any limitations, or benefits? Let’s find out.
Location
Mauritius’s pristine sand beaches are the perfect place to spot a massive sail. While paragliders and kite surfers use a similar device, this one is the size of a three-bedroom residence, looping figure-of-eights above the ground. The sail isn’t just for show; it generates electricity for the island’s electrical infrastructure, which is located off the coast of East Africa.
The Big Idea
The gigantic wing will be the world’s first commercially viable “airborne wind energy” system by German business SkySails Power. According to the company, it has been delivering less than its target of 100 kilowatts for the previous two months, which is generally enough to power up to 50 households. This is a very small percentage of the island’s total electricity usage. However, SkySails believes that this is a promising indicator for the future.
Advantages of Wind Energy Systems
- As you increase in altitude, the faster the wind blows. Thus, theoretically, eight times more power comes from a two-fold rise in wind speed. An airborne system can go as high as 800m. This is way above the 200 to 300m tip of the tallest wind turbines.
- People can bring a kite wing with them to a faraway place for very little money and very little work. It’s easy for these systems to be dropped off where there is a road or port.
- Airborne Systems could be used in places where traditional wind turbines can’t stand up. For example, you could tie airborne systems to a grounded container ship. Thereby, you could move them up or down, to adjust their height. Basically, you could move it to a height where the wind is strongest.
Limitations
- Wind farms typically need 71 acres (29 hectares) to generate a megawatt, compared to 12 acres (5 hectares) for a fossil fuel plant, and experts believe that the ideal locations will eventually run out.
- Some experts believe that big wind turbines aren’t always the best way to go. They can be expensive or difficult to put in places like isolated places or deep oceans. Moreover, they can’t reach the high places where the wind is strongest.
The Future of Wind Energy Systems
As per the International Energy Association (IEA), almost every plan for how the world will get its electricity in the future includes a lot of wind. The researchers at IEA believe that wind energy will rise 11-fold by 2050. In addition, wind and solar will make up 70% of the world’s electricity needs.
Moreover, the cost of wind power has dropped by about 40% over the last decade. Thus, there are more wind turbines in fields and on hillsides all over the world.
Be sure to check out this informative Twitter clip from SkySails Group on the easy and efficient installation of their “Airborn Wind Energy Systems”.
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Watch a video
A compact design with standard containers makes transport and installation of our #airbornewindenergy systems simpel and cost-efficient. It is therefore an adequate solution to provide #greenelectricity to #remote regions.
— SkySails Group (@SkySailsGroup) February 23, 2022
More videos on YouTube: https://t.co/k8q5KYx9L4 pic.twitter.com/PNB9Ied3jV
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