Wind results from air in motion. Pressure gradient that is present in air is responsible for its motion. Air heats up due to solar radiation near equator and results in a global convective circulation with surface winds from north to south in the northern hemisphere. It is clearly evident from this, that the wind is basically reaction of solar energy radiation on earth. Wind energy is one of America ’s greatest natural resources. Three factors determine the output from a wind energy converter: the wind speed, the cross section of wind swept by rotor and the overall conversion efficiency of the rotor, transmission system and generator or pump. Wind power can be used in centralized utility applications to drive synchronous a.c electrical generators. In such applications, the energy is fed directly to power networks through voltage step-up transformers. WECS units can be integrated with existing hydroelectrical networks and used in a ‘water-saver’ mode of operation. When the wind is blowing, electrical generation at the hydroelectric plants in the network can be reduced by an amount equal to that being produced by the WECS units.
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