Wind Turbines And Surge Protection

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One of the most important types of technology in the present time is wind power generation and the wind turbine. This technology is so important because even though windmills have been performing tasks for hundreds of years, using them to generate electricity is a relatively new and vital progression. Moreover, as the world’s population swells to numbers never before, most of these people will consume electricity. Because of this dependence, the need to find ways to generate more and supplement the existing systems becomes more critical. In a nutshell, using traditional methods, we are quickly exhausting the fuels we need to burn to generate electricity. To be able to replace fossil fuel production, alternative energy sources like wind and solar power must evolve further. In addition, green energy shows promise to be generated with less cost than traditional methods as long as technology improves.

How can green energy be improved from a cost and production standpoint to allow energy to cost the consumer less? Production methods need to be protected from damage, and the uptimes improved to enable production to happen for more extended periods. Currently, one of the highest wind power production costs is the maintenance and repair of the existing systems. The size and makeup of the equipment, and the need to position it in open areas, put it at risk. Wind towers need to be unobstructed and tall to capture the existing wind at any one time fully. Unfortunately, their structures make them prime targets for lightning strikes, damaging the equipment, taking them offline, and costing money to restore. If a wind tower is damaged, it is offline and not producing power even though the wind is blowing. The uptimes can be extended, and the damage minimized through improvements to the materials and the systems. These improvements come through using better materials for the blades, so they can withstand lightning strikes without being destroyed and by integrating effective and technologically-advanced surge protection devices within the structures. When lightning strikes the upper area of a wind turbine, it sends a power surge throughout the system, overwhelming and damaging much of the equipment used in the process of power generation. But the integration of effective surge protection devices protects sensitive equipment. If it is in the path of the surge, the equipment can be saved, and the money it takes just to produce the power can be lessened. The ability to keep the towers producing more energy when the wind is available helps the site’s profitability and reduces operational costs that producers must bear to stay in business. The ultimate result is cheaper and more reliable power for the masses, which can potentially help the environment and people’s finances.