The Aspects Of Surge Protection For Wind Turbines
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Green energy technology relies upon free and sustainable energy sources to create energy, ultimately producing electricity that can be harnessed and then delivered to customers via the energy grid in their area. This is accomplished using different methods to move the turbines within the system, ultimately mimicking the older forms of energy production by using different means. In the past, fossil fuels like wood, coal and oil were burned, creating heat and gas that ultimately pushed the turbines to a spinning motion, ultimately producing electricity that is then distributed. Green energy technology works much the same way, only using the motion of wind or the heat of the sun to cause the turbines to turn in the same way. Because nothing is being burned or destroyed, not only is the process cleaner and less damaging to the atmosphere, but also cheaper as there is no cost to extract the fuel. At least that is the plan for the future.
The costs of production of anything are based on the total amounts of money that must be spent to produce the product. This will include both the prices paid to extract the fuel sources and also the costs of production outside of those fuel purchases. Even though with solar and wind the fuel itself has no cost, there are far higher prices that are paid within the other aspects of production of green energy. The main costs in the process involve the need for repair and replacement of the components because they are continually at risk of being destroyed or damaged. Wind towers are continually being struck by lightning simply because they are the tallest structure within remote areas. They must be the tallest structure and also positioned in these regions so as to allow for unobstructed wind flow. Solar panels also must be unobstructed in order to harness as much sunlight as possible while the sun is shining. Because of this exposure, these installations attract lightning strikes which damage the exposed components, ultimately requiring repair or replacement in order to keep the systems functioning. The lightning strike also causes a power surge which damages circuitry within the control systems, also needing repair and replacement as a result. These deficiencies are being addressed as cheaper components are developed for replacement, but also through prevention techniques. A very effective preventative is the integration of surge protection devices through out the systems, stopping the excess power from surging to the components that are connected directly to those exposed pieces of equipment. These surge protection devices are extending the life spans of the control equipment even in situations where the strike itself does catastrophic damage. This avoidance of extended levels of damage are driving down total production costs, making green energy a viable production method to power entire cities more effectively every day. Once the costs drop below that of fossil fuels, we will enter a new age of cheap and clean power for all people.
