Wind Energy Opportunities in Rural Locations
The power of the wind has been utilised for many centuries. From windmills to water pumps and sail boats, the technology is well established, nowadays being commonly used for the production of electricity. While a windmill transforms the kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy for pumping or grinding, a wind turbine will transform it into electricity. According to the Energy Savings Trust, small scale wind turbines are rated between 500 W and 25 kW.
One of the main advantages of this technology at this scale is its modularity. It is easily available commercially; with several models and manufacturers. However, any installation will require some technical considerations for selecting the most appropriate location and for calculating the most realistic energy yield as this will depend on the natural variations of the wind.
| MSc: Renewable Energy Systems and the Environment | © University of Strathclyde 2010 |