Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Can a wind turbine handle hurricane speed winds?
Wind turbines are generating more power these days. In fact, a third of the UK's electricity came from wind farms in the first three months of this year. (Vol.4048) A wind turbine converts the kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy. Large three-bladed horizontal-axis wind turbines with blades upwind of the tower are very popular types of winder farms. The size and height of turbines have been increasing recently. The blade length of offshore wind turbines is now as long as over 100 meters, which is supported by a tubular steel tower as high as 160 meters. Can those massive blades and towers withstand extreme weather conditions like tropical cyclones, typhoons, or hurricanes? Even though those turbine blades are remarkably strong, the forces of nature especially at sea are unpredictable especially when more extreme weather events are occurring around the world due to global warming. Wind power is surely an essential power source to reduce the use of fossil fuels, but there seem to be a number of challenges to be overcome physically and commercially.
Enjoy reading the article and learning about the challenges wind turbines face.
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65261147
Can a wind turbine handle hurricane speed winds?
Wind turbines are generating more power these days. In fact, a third of the UK's electricity came from wind farms in the first three months of this year. (Vol.4048) A wind turbine converts the kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy. Large three-bladed horizontal-axis wind turbines with blades upwind of the tower are very popular types of winder farms. The size and height of turbines have been increasing recently. The blade length of offshore wind turbines is now as long as over 100 meters, which is supported by a tubular steel tower as high as 160 meters. Can those massive blades and towers withstand extreme weather conditions like tropical cyclones, typhoons, or hurricanes? Even though those turbine blades are remarkably strong, the forces of nature especially at sea are unpredictable especially when more extreme weather events are occurring around the world due to global warming. Wind power is surely an essential power source to reduce the use of fossil fuels, but there seem to be a number of challenges to be overcome physically and commercially.
Enjoy reading the article and learning about the challenges wind turbines face.
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65261147
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