The turbine windmill is a type of a wind turbine generator that produces electricity by harnessing the power of wind. It is increasingly being used as an alternative to the national grid electricity supply. People are becoming aware of the green electricity and want to contribute to the environment. There are two main types of generators: the horizontal axis wind turbines and the vertical axis wind turbines. Wind turbines can be used in producing electricity in large amounts in wind farms both offshore and onshore. The wind energy is renewable energy similar to the solar energy or the water power.
The turbine windmill is a noisy affair. Therefore currently, manufacturers are finding ways and means to reduce the level of noise. The noise pollution is a major irritant in the neighbourhood. Wind turbine is unsafe for the flying creatures, especially the birds that will die if they get trapped in the blades. The wind was harnessed in the rural areas and because of the restrictive laws and noise pollution; the urban areas could not be touched in the past. However, the scenario has now changed and the urban population is showing a keen interest in the turbine windmills. There have been some modifications in the wind turbines so as to satisfy the needs of the urban environment.
New and modified aero-turbines have come up. These turbines have propellers that do not look like blades; they look like an electric beater. These not only produce less noise, they are safe for the birds. However, much has to be done in the development of these ‘blades’.
The turbine windmill efficiency lies in the cost effectiveness and not in the source of energy that is wind. The most important feature that determines the efficiency is the number of blades. This is due to the fact that more blades will capture more wind and a higher kinetic energy. This may be true for the small wind turbines but the large turbine windmill should have less blades. This is because there should be less stress on the metal or the plastic blades.
Depending upon the diameter of the rotation the number of blades should be determined. The windmills at the sea shores could use large blades. However, converse is true for the homeowners. They can use small wind turbines with more blades. This will create high effectiveness. The diameter of rotation of 300 feet should use 2 blades but a diameter of rotation of 150 feet should use three blades.
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