Clean Energy

Wind power is making huge developmental strides over recent years, and many continue to invest intensive research and development time into this green technology to make it better. This has resulted in various improvements made in the field of wind energy generation, and all of them work together to build a cleaner and more efficient future.

Scientific Proof Of Carbon Footprint Reduction

In 2016, Engineers from the University of Edinburgh analyzed National Grid figures for the power generated by wind, coal and gas sources. This accumulated data helped to form a comprehensive picture of how demand was met by these various electrical sources. Particularly interesting was that the study indicated that wind power prevented the creation of almost 36 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from more harmful sources in a six-year period. This is the equivalent of the removal of 2.3 million road vehicles.

This study is crucial towards the research and development of wind power generation because it relies on factual information rather than estimates, and even takes inefficiencies into account. The study tells us that we underestimated the importance of wind power as a viable carbon footprint reduction method.

Lightweight Rotor Blades

Designed for offshore sites specifically, lightweight rotor blades have been specially developed to minimize drag and ramp up electricity generation. Built out of highly durable thermoplastic foams, the new blades are easier to disassemble and transport, also being highly recyclable. Their lightweight forms make them suitable for implementation in other areas such as the automotive industry or wind farms.

Wind Power Radar

A team of scientists at Texas Tech University recently created a system designed to measure wind flow and control turbine-to-turbine interaction for maximum power generation at wind power stations. Funded by a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, this comprehensive and highly efficient system is designed to accurately measure complex flow fields in the lower atmosphere as well as inter-wind plant flow fields. With the integration of this state-of-the-art radar technology with existing wind power generators, overall efficiency will be supercharged, enabling scientists access to highly accurate and detailed statistical information on with which they’ll be able to continually improve this green technology.

Wind power generation is often faced with controversy for various reasons, but that’s not to say that science has stayed away from improving this highly effective way of harnessing energy from a natural element. With continued innovation and research, it will only be a matter of time before wind power blows the competition away with its accuracy, reliability, and energy efficiency.