The evolution of wind energy
Publicado em 18 de November de 2020
Did you know that until the steam engine appeared in the 19th century, the only non-animal traction machines capable of providing mechanical energy were windmills? The emergence of wind energy dates back to the time when civilizations used the power of the winds, by means of pinwheels, to grind grains, pump water and transport goods in sailing boats. In 1430 windmills began to appear in Europe. They were used to grind grains and, in addition, to control and drain excess water in regions that were below the sea level.
A little further on, in the late 18th century, wind turbines were adapted in the United States and more than 6 million American multi-blade windmills were installed to pump water on farms and to supply drinking fountains for livestock on extensive pastures. The technology of multi-blade pinwheels has also been used in Australia, Russia, Africa and Latin America.
At the end of the 19th century began the adaptation of pinwheels for the generation of electrical energy. In 1888, Charles Bruch built in Cleveland, in the United States, the first vane intended for the generation of electric energy that from then on became known as wind turbine. Bruch’s creation provided 12 kW of direct current for charging batteries to supply power to 350 incandescent lamps. The system remained in operation for 20 years and, in 1908, it was deactivated.
In Europe, on the other hand, the interest in wind energy arose around 1890 when the first government program was created to encourage wind development. A little further on, between 1897 and 1904, more than 70 turbines with power of approximately 25 kW were built although there was still no connection to the electricity grid.
It was in Russia in 1931 that large wind turbines for electrical applications appear. It all started with the 100 kW Balaclava wind turbine that was connected to a 20 MW thermal power plant. Altogether, an energy of 280,000 kWh per year was measured, which corresponds to an average utilization factor of 32%.
SOURCES:
Energês. História da energia eólica. Disponível em: Energês
PE Desenvolvimento. História da energia eólica e suas utilizações. Disponível em: PE Desenvolvimento