Wind Turbines: Technologies and Applications

A wind turbine refers to a device that produces electricity and is propelled by kinetic energy. It comprises three blades that are mounted on a tubular tower for catching the wind energy, forming a low-pressure air pocket which turns the rotor. Wind turbines have many different applications ranging from producing electricity for a single house to harnessing offshore wind. Due to increased demand, the wind turbine technology is also evolving rapidly. The wind turbines can be broadly categorized into two types, namely, horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) and vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs). HAWT is the most widely utilized method of generating wind energy. Wind turbines do not emit pollutants into water or air, and they do not need water for cooling. They help in decreasing the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation, resulting in lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and overall air pollution. This book is a compilation of chapters that discuss the most vital technologies and applications of wind turbines. It is a resource guide for experts as well as students.