Wind Energy

Theintroductory chapter narrates the historic development of wind energytechnology along with its present status and future prospects. Thisis followed by Chapter 2, which presents the basic principles ofwind energy conversion. De-scriptions on different types of windmachines and their performances are briefed here. Basics of windrotor aerodynamics and its application in the turbine design arealso presented in this chapter. The third chapter is devoted to themethods of measurement and analysis of wind spectra for energy use.Statistical methods for wind energy analysis are in- troduced here.These are further extended for developing models for estimating thewind energy potential of a prospective site. Constructionalfeatures of various systems and sub-systems of a Wind EnergyConversion System (WECS) are described in Chapter 4. Along with windelectric generators, wind powered water pumping systems are alsoconsidered. Features of wind farms, both onshore and offshore, arealso discussed in this chapter. Chapter 5 deals with performancemodels of WECS. Tools to simulate the field performance of windpowered generators and water pumps are presented in this section.Optimal matching of WECS with the site is also discussed. Sixthchapter is devoted to the environmental aspects of wind energyconversion. While highlighting the environment related merits of windenergy, the recent VIII concerns over avian issues, visual impacts,noise etc. are not overlooked. A life cycle based approach isadopted for these discussions. Economics of wind energy conversionis analysed in Chapter 7, following the present worth method.Factors affecting the costs and benefits of wind generated electricity are discussed and indices for economic appraisal areevolved. Wind Energy Resource Analysis (WERA) software, which comesalong with the book, is beneficial to readers who are not familiarwith the numerical techniques applied in wind resource analysis.Illustrative examples included in all the chapters compliment theconcepts presented in the text.