Onshore and Offshore Wind Energy – An Introduction AN INTRODUCTION

A highly accessible and authoritative account of wind energy's scientific background, current technology, and international status, with an emphasis on large turbines and wind farms, both onshore and offshore

Topics covered include:
* a brief history of wind energy
* the nature of the wind
* turbine aerodynamics, mechanics, and electrics
* wind farms
* offshore opportunities and challenges
* grid integration of wind energy
* economic and environmental aspects


Whilst intellectually rigorous, this is not an academic treatise. Key equations are fully discussed, providing essential theoretical background. The text is supported by copious illustrations and about 50 inspiring full-colour photographs from around the world.

This book is aimed at a wide readership including professionals, policy makers and employees in the energy sector in need of a basic appreciation of the underlying principles of wind energy or a quick update. Its style and level will also appeal to second and third year undergraduate and postgraduate students of renewable and wind energy, energy systems and electrical/electronic engineering. It also gives a concise account of the technology for the large and growing number of people who are interested in onshore and offshore wind farms and the contribution they are making to carbon-free electricity generation in the 21st century.

This book uses academic content and rigor to introduce all relevant topics, from global wind resource and historical background, through to modern electricity generation and distribution, including the topical subject area of offshore systems. After a brief overview, the book discusses capturing the wind.   Onshore and offshore wind farms are looked at, as well as wind forecasting. In the second chapter modern wind turbines are presented, and the author covers basic aerodynamics, mechanical aspects, and applications. In Chapter 3 the book goes on to look at generating electricity, covering types of generator, connecting to the grid, off-grid and small machines. Wind energy systems are covered next, including details on wind farms, installation and operation, system integration and control. The last section of the book discusses economics and environment; economics of wind energy, the value of wind-generated electricity, markets, and the environmental impact of wind turbines. The last chapter also goes into some detail about technical issues and the life cycle of wind energy systems.

A highly accessible and authoritative account of wind energys scientific background, current technology, and international status, with an emphasis on large turbines and wind farms, both onshore and offshore Topics covered include: a brief history of wind energy the nature of the wind turbine aerodynamics, mechanics, and electrics wind farms offshore opportunities and challenges grid integration of wind energy economic and environmental aspects Whilst intellectually rigorous, this is not an academic treatise. Key equations are fully discussed, providing essential theoretical background. The text is supported by copious illustrations and about 50 inspiring full-colour photographs from around the world. This book is aimed at a wide readership including professionals, policy makers and employees in the energy sector in need of a basic appreciation of the underlying principles of wind energy or a quick update. Its style and level will also appeal to second and third year undergraduate and postgraduate students of renewable and wind energy, energy systems and electrical/electronic engineering. It also gives a concise account of the technology for the large and growing number of people who are interested in onshore and offshore wind farms and the contribution they are making to carbon-free electricity generation in the 21st century.