WIND ENERGY ENGINEERING

Wind Energy Engineering: A Handbook for Onshore and Offshore Wind Turbines is the most advanced, up-to-date and research-focused text on all aspects of wind energy engineering. Wind energy is pivotal in global electricity generation and for achieving future essential energy demands and targets. In this fast moving field this must-have edition starts with an in-depth look at the present state of wind integration and distribution worldwide, and continues with a high-level assessment of the advances in turbine technology and how the investment, planning, and economic infrastructure can support those innovations.

Each chapter includes a research overview with a detailed analysis and new case studies looking at how recent research developments can be applied. Written by some of the most forward-thinking professionals in the field and giving a complete examination of one of the most promising and efficient sources of renewable energy, this book is an invaluable reference into this cross-disciplinary field for engineers.

Autorentext

Professor Letcher was Professor of Chemistry, and Head of Department in South Africa (University of the Witwatersrand, Rhodes University and Natal) (1969 -2004). He has published over 300 papers on chemical thermodynamic topics in peer reviewed journals; and 100 papers in popular science and education journals. He has edited and written 28 books ranging from Future Energy Climate Change, Storing Energy, Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Managing Global Warming and Unraveling Environmental Disasters. He has been awarded gold medals by the South African Institute of Chemistry and the South African Association for the Advancement of Science. He is currently Emeritus Professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and living in the United Kingdom.

Inhalt

A. INTRODUCTION

B. WIND RESOURCE
How is wind generated?
Wind speeds, wind force, wind power
Theory of wind energy
Wind power density
Theoretical power captured by a wind turbine
Wind distribution world-wide

C. WIND TURBINE TECHNOLOGY
History of harnessing wind power
Design of horizontal axis wind turbines (power control, stall, generator torque, Yawing, electrical and mechanical braking, turbine size, generator type, blade design, material and count, tower height)
Design of vertical axis wind turbines (including Savonius type, designs, advantages)
Aerodynamics (drag, lift, maximum power, axial momentum, angular momentum, wake rotation, blade element and momentum theory)
Turbine blade size and maximum power output
Wind Turbine components (blades, gearbox, rotor shaft, brake, magnets, etc)
Variable speed drives
Speed
Power generation, synchronous and asynchronous generators
Operation and Maintenance
Wind energy measurements

D. GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY
Wind farms
Integration into National Grids
Small scale wind turbines
Storing energy from wind turbines

E. PLANNING and EXECUTION OF WIND PROJECTS
Development
Politics and public opinion
Prospecting
Financing
Time frame
Commissioning
Installation

F. WIND ENERGY WORLD WIDE
Comparison of on-shore and off-shore
Countries investing in on-shore wind power
Countries developing and producing wind turbines

G. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF WIND ENERGY
Life cycle of energy input and output
Impact on wild life, impact on livestock
Impact on humans, noise, landscape and aesthetics, community benefits and incentives, safety
Land use
Rare earth use (magnets)

H. FINANCIAL MODELING/WIND ENERGY ECONOMICS
Net energy gain
Energy return on investment (EROI)
Incentives
Revenue

I. REGULATIONS J. GROWTH TRENDS AND THE FUTURE OF WIND ENERGY