Wind energy is a clean, renewable power source harnessed from the natural movement of air using wind turbines. It converts kinetic energy into electricity, offering an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Abundant and sustainable, wind energy plays a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing global energy independence.
What is Wind Energy?
- Wind energy is the kinetic energy associated with the movement of atmospheric air.
- Wind turbines transform the energy in the wind into mechanical power, further converting it to electric power to generate electricity.
- Current manufacturing capacity is 42 GW and it is expected to get an additional 5GW in the current financial year.
- Wind energy is an important source of renewable energy in India. Many of the largest operational onshore wind farms are located in the United States, India, and China.
- Five nations – Germany, USA, Denmark, Spain, and India – account for 80% of the world’s installed wind energy capacity.
How does it work?
Wind energy conversion devices like wind turbines are used for converting wind energy into mechanical energy. Wind turbines consist basically of a few sails, vanes, or blades radiating from a central axis. When the wind blows against the blades or vanes, they rotate about the axis. This rotational motion is utilized to perform some useful work. By connecting the wind turbine to an electric generator wind energy can be converted into electric energy.
Wind Farm/Park
A wind farm or wind park, also called a wind power station or wind power plant, is a group of wind turbines in the same location used to produce electricity. Wind farms vary in size from a small number of turbines to several hundred wind turbines covering an extensive area.
Types of Wind Farm/Parks
Offshore Wind
- Offshore wind power refers to wind farms that are located over shallow open water, usually in the ocean, where there are higher wind speeds. The term ‘offshore wind’ can also refer to inshore water areas like lakes and fjords. Most offshore wind farms use fixed-foundation wind turbines in shallow water. However, as technology advances, wind farms will be able to be built over deeper waters.
Significance of Offshore Wind
- Windmills can be built that are larger and taller than their onshore counterparts, allowing for more energy collection.
- They tend to be far out at sea, meaning they are much less intrusive to neighbouring countries, allowing for larger farms to be created per square mile.
- Typically in sea, there is much higher wind speed/force allowing for more energy to be generated at a time.
- There are no physical restrictions such as hills or buildings that could block the wind flow.
Onshore Wind
- Onshore wind power refers to turbines located on land rather than over water. They are typically located in sparsely-populated areas with low conservation value.
- Onshore turbines harness the energy of moving air to generate electricity. Onshore wind refers to turbines located on land. They are generally located in areas where there is low conservation or habitat value.
Significance of Onshore Wind
- The cost of onshore wind farms is relatively cheap, allowing for mass farms of wind turbines.
- The shorter distance between the windmill and the consumer allows for less voltage drop off on the cabling.
- Wind turbines are very quick to install, unlike a nuclear power station, which can take over twenty years, a windmill can be built in a matter of months.
Status of Wind Energy in India
- India’s wind energy sector is led by the indigenous wind power industry and has shown consistent progress. The expansion of the wind industry has resulted in a strong ecosystem, project operation capabilities, and manufacturing base of about 10,000 MW per annum.
- The country currently has the fourth-highest wind installed capacity in the world with a total installed capacity of 39.25 GW (as of 31st March 2021) and has generated around 60.149 Billion Units during 2020-21.
- The compound annual growth rate for wind generation has been 11.39% between 2010 and 2020, and for installed capacity, it has been 8.78%.
- According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), India can generate 127 GW of offshore wind energy with its 7,600 km of coastline. According to the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), the total wind energy potential is 302 GW at a 100-meter hub height.
- More than 95% of commercially exploitable resources are located in seven states: Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
- Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has set a target of installing 5 GW of offshore wind energy by 2022 and 30 GW by 2030.
National Offshore Wind Energy Policy, 2015
The government of India in its interest to develop offshore wind farm has decided to have a policy that will enable optimum exploitation of offshore wind energy in the best interest of the nation and to achieve the following objectives.
- To explore and promote deployment of offshore wind farms in Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of the country including those under Public Private Partnership.
- To reduce carbon emissions by switching to offshore wind energy farms for harnessing the wind to generate electricity on a large scale.
- To promote investment in energy infrastructure and achieve energy security.
- To promote spatial planning and management of the offshore renewable energy resources in the exclusive economic zone of the country through suitable incentives.
- To encourage indigenization of the offshore wind energy technology.
- To promote research and development in the offshore wind energy sector.
- To create a skilled workforce and employment in the offshore wind energy sector.
- To facilitate the development of Project EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) and Operation & Maintenance concerning the offshore wind industry.
- To develop as well as maintain the coastal infrastructure and supply chain to support heavy construction & fabrication work and the Operation & Maintenance (O&M) activities in the offshore wind energy sector.
Problems in the Wind Energy Sector
- For the past three years, there has been a lull in the wind power sector. In 2016-17, India added around 5.5 GW and in 2017-18, it came down to 2 GW.
- Initially, the growth in the wind energy sector picked up because of the incentives in generation, accelerated depreciation and taxation. The Government has gradually taken these incentives away.
- The lowest bidding price in solar energy is Rs 2.23 per unit whereas in the wind energy, it is about Rs 4.50. Investors find investment in the solar energy sector more lucrative.
- Policies related to wind energy being still in the transition phase.
- The Government of India came with the framework with respect to auctioning in December 2017. There is a ceiling of tariff imposed on every auction. Winds being region-specific, achieving the particular tariff rate becomes difficult.
- General challenges with respect to distribution companies (discom risks), for instance, curtailment in power generation, delayed payments to energy producers, etc.
List of 5 Largest Wind Power Plants in India
| Wind Power Plant | Megawatt (MW) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Muppandal Wind Farm | 1500 | Tamil Nadu, Kanyakumari |
| Jaisalmer Wind Park | 1064 | Rajasthan, Jaisalmer |
| Brahmanvel Wind Farm | 528 | Maharashtra, Dhule |
| Dhalgaon Wind Farm | 278 | Maharashtra, Sangli |
| Vankusawade Wind Park | 259 | Maharashtra, Satara District |
Advantages of Wind Energy
- Renewable: Wind is a limitless natural resource.
- Eco-Friendly: Produces no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants.
- Cost-Effective: Low operational and maintenance costs after installation.
- Energy Independence: Reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
- Land-Friendly: Wind farms can coexist with agriculture.
- Scalable: Suitable for both large-scale farms and small installations.
- Job Creation: Boosts employment in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.
Concerns with Wind Energy
- Intermittency: Wind energy depends on weather and may not provide constant power.
- High Initial Costs: Expensive to install turbines and infrastructure.
- Wildlife Impact: Turbines can harm birds and bats.
- Noise Pollution: Generates noise, which may disturb nearby residents.
- Visual Impact: Large turbines may alter natural landscapes.
- Space Requirements: Needs vast areas for wind farms.
- Recycling Challenges: Turbine blades are difficult to recycle due to composite materials.
Way Forward
- To advance wind energy, focus on improving turbine efficiency, investing in hybrid energy systems, and integrating energy storage technologies. Develop eco-friendly turbine designs, ensure sustainable recycling of components, and address wildlife concerns.
- Policy incentives, public-private partnerships, and research funding can drive innovation and expand wind energy’s role in global energy transition.
Conclusion
Wind energy is a sustainable, eco-friendly solution to the growing demand for clean energy. Despite challenges like intermittency and environmental impacts, advancements in technology are making it more efficient and accessible. With proper planning and innovation, wind energy can significantly contribute to reducing carbon emissions and achieving energy independence.
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