Prospects and challenges of wind energy: A comprehensive anatomy (original) (raw)

Challenges and Opportunities of Wind Energy Technology

2017

Wind is one of the growing alternative sources of energy in the world offering solutions to the depleting fossil fuels which have continuously polluted the atmosphere by emission of the greenhouse gases. Although wind has proved to be a viable source of green energy, wind turbine machinery construction is accompanied by a lot of challenges during both construction and operation which are at times considered minor but still exhibits tangible impacts. As well, wind energy comes with a number of opportunities both socially and economically. This paper therefore focuses on the challenges and opportunities created by the construction of wind turbine for energy generation. Studies from different authors are analysed and critically reviewed with a comparison made on both the pros and cons of the wind turbine as an alternative source of green energy after which a conclusion is drawn as to why this type of energy generation is preferred to conventional energy sources.

A Critical Review of Global Wind Power Generation

American Journal of Applied Sciences, 2009

This research begins with an overview of wind development and installation-related trends, including trends in capacity growth. Development of wind power has reached a level of maturity, which could be taken upon for further novelty and growth in meeting the future energy needs in much greater proportion. Current research techniques are producing stronger, lighter and more efficient blades for the turbines. Computer-controlled wind plants give optimum power output from available winds. With respect to new capacity, wind power is currently one of the most inexpensive ways to produce electricity and it may have a significant role to play in a carbon-constrained world. The kinetic energy in the wind is a promising source of renewable energy with significant potential in many parts of the world. The energy that can be captured by wind turbines is highly dependent on the local average wind speed. The research reviews the global development of wind energy, development of the technology of wind turbines and the various parameters related to wind energy conversion. Many countries are expanding their dependency over wind energy for the production of electricity and this process is increasing exponentially year after year. The research also reviews the past, ongoing and future technological developments in wind energy conversion systems.

Comparative analysis of wind energy towards sustainability

This paper emphasizes the importance of wind energy in the transition to a sustainable and renewable energy future. While wind energy is a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly energy source, it has some negative effects on the environment, society, and the economy that need to be minimized. Social acceptance is crucial for successful wind energy deployment, and challenges such as environmental and ecological impacts must be carefully managed. Despite these challenges, the future perspectives for wind energy technology are promising, with advances in turbine design, energy storage, artificial intelligence, and machine learning as advanced technologies making wind energy more efficient, cost-effective, and reliable. The development of larger turbines, offshore wind farms, and floating wind turbines offer exciting possibilities for the future of wind energy. This paper also gives an overview of the current drawbacks associated with wind energy and future perspectives toward sustainable ways of generating wind energy as an alternative to reduce the harmful environmental impacts of the usage of fossil fuels.

Wind Energy-A Greener and Cleaner Energy Perspective

Energy Sources from the social point of view has been the cradle of the modern civilisation. To continue it in a peaceful, sustainable way, humans nowadays have been interested on alternative sources of resources which do not bear any harmful consequences to the nature and its beings. Of the alternative sources of energy that has been discovered, Wind Power plays a major role. It has been found out that out of the major renewable energy sources that are available on the earth, besides solar and hydro-power, Wind is another huge potential energy reservoir. Humans harnessed Wind Power from long time ago. In earlier times Wind Power has been used in Wind pumps for drawing up water, or in crushing wheat to make flour in Wind Mills. In modern times human found its application as a source for generating electricity. A little ago, thermal power was the only option for producing electricity. But it had adverse effects on Nature and also the raw material was a non-renewable source of energy....

Global status of wind power generation: theory, practice, and challenges

International Journal of Green Energy, 2019

The existence of environmental concerns and constraints has led to a much greater necessity for the development of renewable energy resources. Wind energy resources are one of the most promising avenues for renewable energy generation, and the field has experienced significant technological innovation and growth over the past few years. This paper reviews various issues related to wind-power generation resources. Current trends, over the last two decades, of increasing wind turbine sizes, rated power-generation capacity, efficiencies, and the actual size of wind farm facilities are projected to continue. It is theorized that the current global installed capacity of wind power generation may increase from the current generation of 540 (2017) to 5800 GW by 2050. Wind energy potential, in terms of vertical wind speed profile, mean wind-speed distribution, turbulence effects and gust, are discussed in detail in this paper. A decreasing trend in the cost of initial capital investment and the levelized cost of energy (LCOE), for both onshore and offshore wind-power generation developments, are projected to continue, although this is regionally and economy-size dependent. Key challenges have been identified for the development of wind power generation in developed and underdeveloped countries going forward. New approaches/developments in the field and avenues for further research or actions that can be undertaken are also outlined in this paper. Materialization of such lines of actions may lead to an increase in global wind energy from its current level of around 4% of the electricity generation mix to roughly 40%.

Wind Energy - The Worlds Fastest Growing Renewable Energy Resource- An Overview

2014

Energy is a major input for overall socio-economic development of any society. Wind energy is the fastest growing renewable energy resource. As the most mature and presently the most cost effective renewable energy source, wind energy is generally recognized as a key solution in the fight against climatic change and the desire to free society from its dependence on fossil fuels. Wind technology has improved significantly over the past two decade, and wind energy has become increasingly competative with other power generation options. Of all renewable energy sources wind power occupies a unique place due to the combination of two attributes: technological preparedness and the fact that is inherently site specific. The wind direction is found using a Wind vane and the wind speed is measured using a Wind guage or Anemometer. In this paper a general overview is presented on the importance of wind energy in power generation. The paper also focuses on the production of wind power using th...

Status, Perspectives and Specific Features of Wind Energy in 2011

Contemporary Materials, 2011

Electricity generation from wind energy is more than 100 years old. Windfarms represent a significant source of electricity today. Their size and power continually increase, their operating performances are improved, as well as the characteristics of the connection and operation in the net, the offshore market is being developed and so on. There are various estimates, based on specific goals and possibilities that suggest their more significant role in the future. However, to achieve these goals it is necessary to provide a number of assumptions. This paper reviews the current state of and prospects for electricity generation from wind farms in the world with some of their specific features.

Wind Power Development: Opportunities and Challenges

2008

In this study, the prospects of wind power at the global level are reviewed. Existing studies indicate that the earth's wind energy supply potential significantly exceeds global energy demand. Yet, only 1% of the global electricity demand is currently derived from wind power despite 40% annual growth in wind generating capacity over the last 25 years. More than 98% of total current wind power capacity is installed in the developed countries plus China and India. Existing studies estimate that wind power could supply 7% to 34% of global electricity needs by 2050. Wind power faces a large number of technical, financial, institutional, market and other barriers. To overcome these, many countries have employed various policy instruments, including capital subsidies, tax incentives, tradable energy certificates, feed-in tariffs, grid access guarantees and mandatory standards. Besides these policies, climate change mitigation initiatives resulting from the Kyoto Protocol (e.g., CO2-em...

An overview of wind energy-Status by Thomas Ackermann & Lennart Soder

The paper provides an overview of the historical development of wind energy technology and discusses the current world-wide status of grid-connected as well as stand-alone wind power generation. During the last decade of the twentieth century, grid-connected world-wide wind capacity has doubled approximately every three years. Due to the fast market development, wind turbine technology has experienced an important evolution over time. An overview of the different design approaches is given and issues like power grid integration, economics, environmental impact and special system applications, such as offshore wind energy, are discussed. Due to the complexity of the wind energy technology, however, this paper mainly aims at presenting a brief overview of the relevant wind turbine and wind project issues. Therefore, detailed information to further readings and related organisations is provided. This paper is an updated version of the article 'Wind Energy Technology and Current Status: A Review', published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 4/2000, pp. 315-374. This update was requested by Elsevier due to the large interest in wind power. 

DTU International Energy Report 2014: Wind energy — drivers and barriers for higher shares of wind in the global power generation mix

2014

Wind power creates jobs The European Wind Energy Association estimates that by 2020 there will be 520,000 jobs in the European wind energy sector and almost 800,000 jobs by 2030. Globally 834,000 people were employed in the wind industry at the end of 2013.-Read more in Chapter 6 and 11 Contents Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Summary and recommendations Chapter 3 Synthesis Chapter 4 Global energy perspectives with an emphasis on wind energy Chapter 5 Danish and European plans for wind energy deployment Chapter 6 Wind energy technology developments Chapter 7 Offshore wind energy developments Chapter 8 Emerging wind energy technologies Chapter 9 Challenges and solutions for energy systems with high shares of wind energy Chapter 10 Wind resource assessment and wind power forecasting Chapter 11 Wind economics Chapter 12 Environmental and social impacts of wind energy Chapter 13 Recycling of wind turbines Chapter 14 Index Chapter 15 References