It is hard for a wind turbine to go unnoticed since it is quite intriguing and eye-catchy. One must also admit that it is quite fascinating because of its design and size.
Therefore, as one passes by one or more, a common question often crosses their mind. How are wind turbines assembled?
It sounds fun to discover how the making and erection of such a big and tall thing came to be. What goes first, and what follows?
How do these turbines produce electricity? It would be good also to understand how they play their role in promoting green energy.
Major Components of Wind Turbines
Before diving into how to assemble wind turbines, it would be better to look at their major components. They include the following;
Rotor and Rotor Blades
The two components complement each other to convert wind into energy. That’s through their rotational mechanical movements responsible for the conversion.
The most common rotor is usually the three-blade horizontal axis one. The materials vary from one blade to another, but the common ones are glass fiber and carbon-fiber plastics.
Manufacturers reinforce these materials to promote robustness despite strong winds. It is good to mention the striking resemblance between the rotor blades and the airplane wing.
Nacelle
It is also a major component of wind turbines that houses several other crucial components. The hollow shell contains the wind turbines’ inner workings.
The gearbox and the main drive shaft are some of the components it houses. All the other machines of these turbines also stay here.
The role of the gearbox is to accelerate the rotor movements. It converts them from a range of 18 to 50 rpm to that of about 1500 rpm.
The nacelle is connected to the tower using bearings and will rotate according to the wind’s direction. Its material is usually fiberglass.
Tower
There are two common options when constructing a tower. For instance, it could be tubular and an inner ladder that leads to the nacelle.
On the other hand, one can choose the lattice model quite similar to its electrical counterpart. Regardless of the model, the material is usually steel.
The tower should absorb the varying static loads. Remember that the fluctuating strength of the wind could lead to a situation where the tower has to handle heavy static loads at one point.
Electronic Equipment
Wind turbines also have several sensors. The electricity grid infeed system is also another vital electronic equipment.
Sensors simplify the control and monitoring of wind turbines. They also measure the speed and direction of the wind as well as the temperature of the surroundings.
Other Components
Heating and cooling wind turbines are also crucial for optimum performance at all times. That’s why they have components that regulate these aspects.
Other equipment focuses on lifting gear and following the wind direction. In case of a fire, the turbines also have fire-extinguishing components.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Assemble Turbines
If you want to assemble turbines, follow these steps
Build the tower
The tower usually comprises steel sections. Whereas they can be made off-site, one needs to assemble them on-site.
You should bolt the sections together and ensure that the tower retains a horizontal position until the end. Once over, use a crane to lift the tower in place.
Next, tighten every bolt to ensure that it is stable. Lastly, test its stability to confirm that everything is excellent.
Connect the Nacelle
This step will see the mounting of various components. They include the pitch control, yaw control, main shaft, and gearbox.
Bolt your nacelle to the equipment and lift it to the tower. It also takes place on-site.
Attach the Blades
Once the nacelle is up there, proceed to the blades. Lift it too, and attach it to the generator.
If you use a three-pronged blade, the ideal setup is to attach two of them to the nacelle before mounting it to the tower. Once you raise the nacelle, bolt the third blade.
Install Other Components
Lastly, install its utility box. It is also crucial to install the electrical communication system.
Once you follow these steps and put everything in place, the wind turbines are ready to work. All they need is the wind, and they will get to work immediately.
Don’t just assemble the wind turbines and leave them like that for eternity. On the contrary, ensure that you maintain it regularly.
Maintenance should be as often as every three or six months. Remember that failure to do so could lead to mechanical damage or failure.
How Wind Turbines Work
Upon assembling your wind turbines, the work commences. Here’s a detailed discussion on how to go about it.
Its rotor blades trigger an aerodynamic force responsible for turning the wind energy into electric power. Their working mechanism is similar to that of a helicopter rotor blade or airplane wing.
Once the wind blows across its rotor blades, there is a decrease in air pressure on one of its sides. Consequently, there is a pressure difference across these sides.
The difference leads to lift and drag. Consequently, the rotor spins since the lift force is bigger than its drag counterpart.
Thanks to its connection to the generator, the rotation increases—consequently, the aerodynamic force changes to the rotation, creating electricity.
Conclusion
How are wind turbines assembled? Thanks to this piece, the answer to this question will no longer be a mystery.
It leaves no stone unturned regarding how to get the turbines ready for work. It involves several steps; if you follow them, your wind turbines will be up and running within no time.
Remember that they follow a certain order, and that’s for a reason. That’s why you should stick to it for excellent results.
You are also familiar with the major parts of wind turbines. They have different roles, thus complementing each other to facilitate these green energy generators’ performance, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Upon assembling and installing them, one can’t insist enough on maintaining them regularly. You don’t want the turbines to perform pathetically or mechanical damage to occur.
The cost of repairing or replacing wind turbines is substantial. So, avoid such outcomes at all times.
