One of the oldest existing methods of power generation is the use of wind turbines . With time , designs for wind generators have steadily improved, especially when it comes to how the blades that are responsible for turning the turbines’ rotors have been constructed . Today’s smaller, quieter wind turbines, which generate much more power from much less wind , are a direct result of these advancements .
The earliest wind turbine blades were essentially just large mats made from reeds . This style of turbine blade suffered from a lack of durability . They’d have to be replaced often , especially if they were exposed to high winds .
Cloth sails were the next stage in the development of wind turbine blades . Thanks to this blade design, early windmills were able to harness wind power effectively for processing grain .
The next major type of blade to be introduced was the wood blade, which was often combined with a horizontal axis configuration . These blades were inspired mainly by airplane blades . The key advantage of wooden blades over earlier types was that they could be both lighter and stronger, and thus they were much more appropriate for generating power in a wider variety of conditions .
These improvements made it possible to generate electricity with wind turbines . The earliest wind turbines of this type were somewhat small in size, but they would soon be scaled up and used in commerical settings .
At this time , the difference between horizontal axis turbine blades and vertical axis blades became that much more distinct . In terms of horizontal axis blade design, the majority of the changes would manifest themselves as differences in blade shape and pitch, materials, and the number of blades used per rotor .
In most cases, 3-blade designs came to be used for horizontal axis wind turbines, as they have the best balance of stability and rotor speed . Composite blades, which offer superior strength and flexibility in addition to lightweight construction , are used for most modern turbines . Composite blades give wind turbines the ability to spin at higher speeds and generate more energy as well as pick up low-speed winds, making them significantly more efficient .
Also , vertical axis wind turbines have seen a number of improvements which have made them appropriate for a wide variety of applications . The rotation for these units is usually provided by aspects that take advantage of either the lift or drag of the wind .
Regardless of wind direction , modern vertical axis turbines can always convert it into energy . Horizontal axis turbines don’t provide quite the same consistency of production . Their capacity to produce power at lower elevation makes them especially well suited to residential use .
For info about the advantages and disadvantages of wind power, go to Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Power.
For the best guide I have found for building your own wind turbines with step by step videos, go to Best DIY Solar and Wind Guides.
Here’s another guide to building your own wind turbine Homemade Wind Turbine.
