Chapter One Introduction

1.1. Wind Energy

Wind is the movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of low
pressure. In fact, wind exists because the uneven heating of the surface of our earth by
the sun. The reason for the uneven heating is due to the different surfaces of our earth
(land and water).

Air above land mass heats up more rapidly during the day time, while the air
above water will heat up at a slower rate. As the air above the land rises and expands
(due to heating), the cooler air above the water will rush in to fill its place. It is this
process which causes the wind the blow, as the wind is the force of air rushing to fill a
gap.

During the night, the process is slightly different, and instead of the air
heating, the air cools. The air above land mass will lose heat more rapidly than the air
above the water, resulting in air from the land rushing to fill air over the water.

Larger winds are generally found closer to the equator, as the air will generally
heat and cool more rapidly, reducing in a greater wind force. And as long as the wind
blows, people will harness it to power their lives.
The terms "wind energy" or "wind power" describe the process by which the
wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity i.e. the kinetic energy of the
wind can be changed into other forms of energy, either mechanical energy or
electrical energy.

When a boat lifts a sail, it is using wind energy to push it through the water. This is
one form of work. Farmers have been using wind energy for many years to pump
water from wells using windmills.

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In this project we will study the power in the wind to harness this power to
generate electricity. In the next section the advantages and disadvantages of wind
generated electricity .

1.2. Advantages And Disadvantages Of Wind-Generated

Electricity

A Renewable Non-Polluting Resource:

Wind energy is a free, renewable resource, so no matter how much is used

today, there will still be the same supply in the future. Wind energy is also a source of
clean, non-polluting, electricity. Unlike conventional power plants, wind plants emit
no air pollutants or greenhouse gases.

Cost Issues:

Even though the cost of wind power has decreased dramatically in the past 10
years, the technology requires a higher initial investment than fossil-fueled generators.
Roughly 80% of the cost is the machinery, with the balance being site preparation and
installation.Wind costs are much more competitive with other generating technologies
because there is no fuel to purchase and minimal operating expenses.

Environmental Concerns:

Although wind power plants have relatively little impact on the environment
compared to fossil fuel power plants, there is some concern over the noise produced
by the rotor blade, and birds and bats having been killed by flying into the rotors.
Most of these problems have been resolved or greatly reduced through technological
development or by properly siting wind plants.

Supply and Transport Issues:

The major challenge to using wind as a source of power is that it is

intermittent and does not always blow when electricity is needed. Wind cannot be
stored (although wind-generated electricity can be stored, if batteries are used), and
not all winds can be harnessed to meet the timing of electricity demands. Further,

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good wind sites are often located in remote locations far from areas of electric power
demand (such as cities). Finally, wind resource development may compete with other
uses for the land, and those alternative uses may be more highly valued than
electricity generation. However, wind turbines can be located on land that is also used
for grazing or even farming.

1.3. Future Trend Of Wind Turbine

The last two decades have seen amazing changes in wind turbine technology –
from 50 kilowatt (kW), 15 meter rotor diameter machines on land to multi-megawatt,
100 meter rotor diameter machines installed in the sea.

In terms of technology there has been a change from stall controlled, fixed
speed machines with gearboxes, to pitch regulated, variable speed, and gearless
turbines.

In short, wind turbines have gone from tractor to helicopter technology over
the last 25 years. The application of intelligent controls has allowed loads to be
controlled, and turbines to become lighter.

In the drive train there are a number of approaches. There is the typical
configuration of a three stage gearbox and a high speed generator. There is the
Enercon approach of a large, low speed generator, and no gearbox. There is also a
hybrid possibility of a one or two stage gearbox, and a medium speed generator.

In other technology developments, there is a trend to full power conversion, as

it allows more flexibility in complying with grid codes.

Until recently the obvious trend for wind turbines has been ‘bigger and
bigger’, which in turn is changing to a trend of ‘better and better’. In terms of size, we
expect an ongoing demand for 1-2 megawatt (MW) machines simply due to
transportation limitations. Offshore market turbines will continue to get bigger and
bigger, and there may also be a market for bigger turbines in some onshore locations.

In terms of technical challenges to the wind industry the key issues are
gearbox reliability and understanding what the loadings are, generator reliability,
capital cost reduction, long term operation and maintenance costs and quality.

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1.4. Aim of Project

Wind power is developing rapidly in global level especially in developed

countries but, this green energy resource doesn’t see the light in Yemen until
nowadays. The generous areas of wind zones in Yemen are located on sea breezes and
in mountain valley-wind. Yemen has a long coastal strip of over than 2500 km with a
width of 30-60 km along. Average annual wind speeds (measures at 10 m height)
exceed 8 m/s at most of the coastal sites. There is a good potential for wind energy
potential at sites on the coastal strip, in addition to the offshore area. There is
also great wind energy on Yemeni islands and inland hills and mountains areas.

In our project we have studied the wind in different areas. Socotra as an

example for the islands, Aden and Al-Riyan as an example for the costal sites, and
Sana'a as an example for the mountain areas. Furthermore, from these data that we
have collected we found out the power available and the theoretical power friction
that can be extracted from wind turbine. After that according to the power that we
have calculated, we have chosen the suitable turbines for each location in order to find
out the actual power extracted from the wind turbines.

In the end of this project we used all the information from the studies that we
have done to construct a wind farm in Yemen- Aden, exactly in Gold More, because
to use the benefit of wind direction which is 37% east and 18% south-east. In addition
we have made a complete study of the annual energy and estimation cost of the cost
of the electricity (USD/kWh).

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1.5. Analysis and Outcomes of this Study about Wind Energy

After long time study of wind energy resources in Yemen, the study
confirms that this type of energy is available in different areas of the country.
The highly promising locations of this energy resource are situated in good
locations wherever the high voltage transmission line are already installed as in
the Mocha, Aden Coast, Socotra, Alriyan and Sana'a. According to ministry of
electricity in March 2012, theoretically Yemen could generate 17000 to 19000 MW of
wind energy. That means not only Yemen will be rich in electricity but it will have the
ability to export it to the neighbors.