Duhok Polytechnic University

Technical College of Engineering

Energy Engineering Department
COURSE: power plant
Class: third year 2023 – 2024

Title of report :
(Wind turbine power plant )

Submitted by:dindar Mahdi muhammed

Date of submission: 22 /02/2024
Name of evaluator:Dr.Firas

1
Contents
Abstract : ................................................................................................... 3
Introduction: ................................................................................................ 3
Anatomy of a Wind Turbine: ........................................................................ 4
how wind turbine work ? ............................................................................. 9
Wind turbine equation ............................................................................... 10
Wind turbine size and types : .................................................................... 11
Development in size and power of wind turbines, 1990–2016................... 13
Wind Turbines: Advantages and Disadvantages ....................................... 14
How strong does the wind need to be for a wind turbine to work?............. 15
Future Prospects: ..................................................................................... 15
Conclusion: ............................................................................................... 15
References ............................................................................................... 16

2
Abstract :
A wind turbine is a device that converts the kine c energy of wind into
electrical energy. They are essen ally modern-day windmills, using the
power of the wind to generate electricity without producing harmful
emissions.

Introduction:
In the face of climate change and the need to transi on to cleaner energy
sources, wind power has emerged as a prominent solu on for electricity
genera on. Harnessing the natural kine c energy of wind, wind turbines
offer a renewable and environmentally friendly alterna ve to tradi onal
fossil fuel-based power plants.
In recent years, advancements in wind turbine technology have
significantly improved efficiency and reduced costs, making wind energy
increasingly compe ve in the global energy market. However, the
successful implementa on of wind turbine projects requires careful
considera on of various factors, including geographical characteris cs,
regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder engagement.

3
Anatomy of a Wind Turbine:

Figure 1:[ Components of a horizontal-axis wind turbine]

4
1. Tower:
The tower is the tall, sturdy structure that supports the entire wind
turbine. It elevates the rotor and nacelle to capture higher wind
speeds, which are generally stronger and more consistent. Towers
are typically constructed from steel or concrete and vary in height
depending on the turbine's size and location.
Towers can be made of several material following different design
concepts:
1. Lattice
2. Steel (tubular or segmented)
3. Concrete
4. Hybrid

Figure 2:[ Wind turbine tower]

5
2. Nacelle:
The nacelle houses the turbine's key components, including the
gearbox, generator, and control systems.
It is positioned at the top of the tower and rotates to face the wind
for optimal energy capture.

Figure 3: [Wind turbine nacelle cross-section]

3. Rotor Blades:
The rotor blades are aerodynamic
structures a ached to the hub and
connected to the rotor sha . Their
primary func on is to capture wind
energy and convert it into rota onal
mo on. Modern rotor blades are
typically made of fiberglass or carbon
fiber composites and are designed to
maximize li and minimize drag.

6
4. Hub:
The hub is the central component to which the rotor blades are a ached.
It transfers the rota onal mo on of the blades to the rotor sha .
5. Rotor Sha :
The rotor sha is a sturdy steel sha connected to the hub, responsible
for transferring rota onal energy from the blades to the gearbox.
6. Gearbox:
The gearbox is a mechanical component that increases the rota onal
speed of the rotor sha to drive the generator efficiently.
It contains a system of gears that step up the slow rota onal speed of the
blades to the higher speed required by the generator.
7. Generator:
The generator is the component that converts the mechanical energy
from the rotor sha into electrical energy.
Most wind turbines use synchronous generators or permanent magnet
generators to produce electricity.
8. Pitch System:
The pitch system controls the angle of the rotor blades rela ve to the
wind direc on.
By adjus ng the pitch angle, the turbine can regulate rotor speed and
op mize power output.
Pitch systems typically consist of hydraulic or electric actuators located at
the base of each blade.

7
9. Yaw System:
The yaw system allows the nacelle to rotate horizontally, orien ng the
rotor blades into the direc on of the wind.
It consists of motors, gears, and sensors that automa cally adjust the
nacelle's posi on to op mize energy capture.
10. Control Systems:
Control systems monitor various parameters such as wind speed, rotor
speed, and power output to op mize turbine performance.
They regulate the pitch angle, yaw angle, and rotor speed to maximize
energy capture while ensuring safe and reliable opera on.
11. Anemometer:
Anemometers are instruments mounted on the turbine to measure wind
speed and direc on.
This data is used by the control systems to adjust the turbine's
orienta on and op mize energy capture.
12. Brake System:
Brake systems are safety mechanisms designed to stop the turbine in
case of emergency or during maintenance.
They can be mechanical, hydraulic, or electromagne c brakes located
within the nacelle or at the base of the tower.

8
 how wind turbine work ?
Wind turbines operate by capturing the kine c energy of the wind and
conver ng it into electrical power.
This process involves several key steps:

1. Wind Capture: As the wind blows, it causes the rotor blades of the wind
turbine to rotate.

2. Rota onal Mo on: The rota on of the blades spins a sha connected to a
generator located inside the turbine's nacelle. A gearbox may be used to
increase the speed of rota on to match the generator's requirements.

3. Electrical Genera on: Inside the generator, the rota onal mo on induces
an electromagne c field, resul ng in the genera on of electricity.

4. Power Transmission: The electricity generated is transmi ed through

cables down the tower and into the electrical grid or stored in ba eries for
later use. Transformers may be used to adjust the voltage to match the
grid's requirements.

5. Yaw and Pitch Control: Yaw and pitch control systems op mize the
turbine's performance by allowing it to turn and face the direc on of the
wind, and adjus ng the angle of the rotor blades to maintain a constant
rota onal speed.

6. Monitoring and Maintenance: Sensors and control systems monitor

various parameters to op mize turbine opera on and detect maintenance
needs.

9
 Wind turbine equation
The basic equa on for calcula ng the power output of a wind turbine is
known as the power equa on or Betz's Law. This equa on provides an
es mate of the maximum theore cal power that can be extracted from
the wind by a wind turbine. It is expressed as:
1
𝑃= 𝜌 ∗ 𝐴 ∗ 𝑉 ∗ 𝑐𝑝
2
Where:
 P is the power output of the wind turbine (in wa s or kilowa s).
 ρ is the air density (in kilograms per cubic meter).
 A is the swept area of the turbine blades (in square meters).
 V is the wind speed (in meters per second).
 Cp is the power coefficient, represen ng the efficiency of the turbine in
conver ng the kine c energy of the wind into mechanical power. The
maximum theore cal value of cp is 0.59 according to Betz's Law, although
real-world turbines typically achieve values lower than this due to factors
such as aerodynamic losses and wake effects.
It's important to note that this equa on provides an idealized es mate
of wind turbine performance and may not accurately reflect the actual
power output of a specific turbine in real-world condi ons. Addi onally,
factors such as turbine design, site characteris cs, and opera onal
condi ons can influence the actual power output of a wind turbine.

10
 Wind turbine size and types :
Wind turbines are not one-size-fits-all! Here's a visual guide to various
types, each tackling specific needs and environments:

1. Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT):

 Classic windmill design with blades rota ng horizontally.
 Sizes range from small residen al to large u lity-scale.
 Versa le and efficient for onshore and offshore use.

2. Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT):

 Unique eggbeater or helix design with blades rotating

vertically.
 Less common but offer easier maintenance and quieter

operation.
 Suitable for urban areas and where space is limited.

11
3. Onshore Wind Turbines:
 Land-based installations, typically larger than offshore

turbines.
 Cost-effective but face land availability, visual
impact, and noise concerns.
4. Offshore Wind Turbines:
 Installed in ocean waters, often in coastal areas.
 Stronger and more consistent winds boost energy production.
 Higher installation and maintenance costs, but reduced visual
impact and noise pollution.
5. Small-Scale and Micro Wind Turbines:
 Designed for homes or small businesses, providing energy independence or grid
support.
 Micro turbines are even smaller for remote locations or individual devices.
 Mounted on rooftops or towers, using horizontal or vertical axis designs.

12
Development in size and power of wind turbines, 1990–2016

13
 Wind Turbines: Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:

1. Renewable and sustainable: Wind is a constantly replenished resource,

unlike fossil fuels.
2. Clean and emission-free: Wind power generates electricity without harmful
greenhouse gas emissions, comba ng climate change and improving air
quality.
3. Reduces dependence on fossil fuels: Diversifying energy sources with wind
power reduces reliance on finite and pollu ng fossil fuels.
4. Economic benefits: Wind power creates jobs in manufacturing, installa on,
and maintenance, boos ng local economies.
5. Land use efficiency: Compared to tradi onal power plants, wind farms
require less land per unit of energy produced.
6. Technological advancements: Wind turbines are constantly evolving,
becoming more efficient and cost-effec ve.
Disadvantages:

1. Intermi ent nature: Wind is not always available, requiring backup power
sources or energy storage solu ons.
2. Ini al investment costs: Building wind farms can be expensive compared to
tradi onal power plants.
3. Visual impact: Large wind turbines can be visually disrup ve in some
landscapes.
4. Poten al impact on wildlife: Careful si ng and mi ga on measures are
needed to minimize bird and bat fatali es.
5. Noise pollu on: While less significant than fossil fuel plants, wind turbines
can generate noise, requiring careful considera on of placement.
6. Recycling challenges: Decommissioning and recycling wind turbine blades
require innova ve solu ons.

14
How strong does the wind need to be for a wind turbine to
work?
Wind turbines will generally operate between 7mph (11km/h) and
56mph (90km/h). The efficiency is usually maximised at about 18mph
(29km/h) and they will reach their maximum output at 27mph (43km/h).

Future Prospects:
The future of wind turbine power plants appears promising, with ongoing
research and development focused on further improving efficiency,
reducing costs, and addressing environmental concerns. Key areas of
innova on and development include:
1. Offshore Wind: Expanding offshore wind capacity to harness
stronger and more consistent wind resources, albeit with addi onal
technical and logis cal challenges.
2. Energy Storage Integra on: Integra ng energy storage
technologies, such as ba eries and pumped hydro, to mi gate
intermi ency and enhance grid stability.
3. Digitaliza on and AI: Leveraging digitaliza on, data analy cs, and
ar ficial intelligence to op mize turbine performance, predic ve
maintenance, and energy management.

Conclusion:
Wind turbine power plants represent a vital component of the global
transi on towards sustainable energy systems. With con nuous
technological advancements, favorable economics, and increasing policy
support, wind energy is poised to play a significant role in mi ga ng
climate change and securing a cleaner, more resilient energy future.

15
References
1. Polinder, H., Ferreira, J.A., Jensen, B.B., Abrahamsen, A.B., Atallah,
K. and McMahon, R.A., 2013. Trends in wind turbine generator
systems. IEEE Journal of emerging and selected topics in power
electronics, 1(3), pp.174-185.
2. Spinato, Fabio, Peter J. Tavner, Gerard JW Van Bussel, and E.
Koutoulakos. "Reliability of wind turbine subassemblies." IET
Renewable Power Generation 3, no. 4 (2009): 387-401.
3. Spinato, F., Tavner, P. J., Van Bussel, G. J., & Koutoulakos, E. (2009).
Reliability of wind turbine subassemblies. IET Renewable Power
Generation, 3(4), 387-401.

16