Editing Wind energy conversion system

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A '''wind energy conversion system''' (WECS),<ref>[http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/W/AE_wind_energy_conversion_system.html Wind energy conversion system]</ref> or '''wind energy harvester'''<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20150415055904/http://saeaero.saejournals.org:80/content/1/1/883.abstract Wind energy harvesting]</ref> is a machine that, [[Wind power|powered by the energy of the wind]], generates mechanical energy that can be used to directly power machinery (mill, pump,...) or to power an electrical generator for making electricity.<ref>[http://www.photius.com/energy/glossaryw.html WECS as device generating mechanical energy]</ref> The term can thus refer to [[windmill]]s, [[windpump]]s as well as [[wind turbine]]s.

== Operation ==

The conversion of the energy of the wind into more useful forms can be done using a rotor fitted with blades or sails. Note that a suitable location needs to be chosen for the WECS, preferably an open area<ref>[http://www.greenoptimistic.com/2009/01/18/home-wind-turbine-prove-to-be-less-efficient/ Wind turbines in urbanised areas only 5% efficient]</ref> Also, some general locations lend themselves far better than others for WECS. See [[Wind power#Determining the local wind energy levels|Wind power]]

== Windmills ==

{{Excerpt|Windmills}}

== Windpumps ==

{{Excerpt|Windpumps}}

== Wind turbines ==

{{Main|Wind turbine}}

The most modern generations of windmills are more properly called [[wind turbine]]s, or wind generators, and are primarily used to generate [[electricity]] and electrical energy. Modern windmills are designed to convert the energy of the wind into electricity. The largest wind turbines can generate up to 6MW of power (for comparison a modern [[fossil fuel power plant]] generates between 500 and 1,300MW).

With increasing environmental concern, and approaching limits to [[fossil fuel]] consumption, [[wind power]] has regained interest as a [[renewable energy]] source. It is increasingly becoming more useful and sufficient in providing energy for many areas of the world, especially in temperate climates.

Wind Turbine systems have a competitively high Energy Return on Investment (EROI) estimated to be around 36.5:1. (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

To generate enough power for a family, the tower and the blades need to be sufficiently large. See [[Domestic energy consumption]]

== Kite Systems ==

Kite systems convert the wind's kinetic energy to other forms of energy: mechanical energy, motion of mass, noise, electricity, potential energy, tension, heat, light. Kite systems convert the energy of the wind; such energy may be employed to do general works genera and practical works. [http://www.energykitesystems.net Energy Kite Systems]. A kite system consists of wings coupled with tensioned tethers interacting with a media, say air or water; the wing(s) of a kite system may be seen as anchors relative to each other.

== See also ==

* [[windmill sail]]
* [[Comparison of bladed rotors for WECS]]
* [[Solar energy conversion system]]

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Panemone bladed rotor wind energy harvester.JPG|A panemone bladed rotor WECS
Image:Panemone_bladed_rotor_WECS_(Turks&Caicos).JPG|Another panemone WECS
Image:Panemone_WEH_setups.jpg|Adding a barrier to a panemone WECS
Image:Savonius_bladed_rotor_WEH.JPG|A [http://www.windstuffnow.com/main/vawt.htm Lenzv2] savonius bladed rotor WECS
Image:Ground sailor bladed rotor WEH.JPG|A ground sailor bladed rotor WECS
Image:Cretan bladed rotor wind energy harvester.JPG|A cretan bladed rotor WECS
Image:Thai rotor bladed wind energy harvester.JPG|A thai bladed rotor WECS
Image:Darrieus_bladed_rotor_wind_energy_harvester.JPG|A Darrieus bladed rotor WECS
Image:CP bladed rotor wind energy harvester.JPG|A cambered plate bladed rotor WECS
Image:Low cost wind pump.JPG|A schematic of a low-cost windpump
</gallery>

== References ==

<references />

== External links ==

* [[Wikipedia:Wind energy conversion system]]
* http://web.archive.org/web/20160602153822/http://peswiki.com/energy/Directory:Wind
* http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Home_Generation:Wind_Turbine

{{Page data
| keywords = Energy production, energy, Sustainable technologies, Wind power, Electrical engineering, Renewable energy, Energy conversion, Energy conservation, Energy efficiency
| sdg = SDG07 Affordable and clean energy
}}

[[Category:Energy production]]
[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Sustainable technologies]]
[[Category:Wind power]]
[[Category:Electrical engineering]]
[[Category:Renewable energy]]
[[Category:Energy efficiency]]