2010 Wind Power Expo (Dallas, TX)

The Expo had so many attractions, it would be virtually impossible to list them all. Most of the display booths in the Expo were devoted to the traditional horizontal axis wind turbines. I spent 2 full days there and still didn’t come close to seeing it all. It really opened my eyes to some of the “infrastructure” involved with the wind industry.

When you see the windturbines in use, you don’t see everything that preceded their use – like the manufacturing of the different components, transport, erection not to mention all of the preliminary details.

You have to select a location. In selecting a location, it’s a good idea to measure the wind. There are several services that do this or provide the equipment to do this. An anemometer is a wind speed measuring device. They can be combined with other devices that will measure everything from atmospheric density to moisture content. I talked with Allison Minogue with Second Wind Inc. She was showing one of their multi-function units(pictured).

Allison with her anemometer

The location has to be within an accepted distance from the power transfer lines. The final destination of the components to build the turbines is usually done by truck or rail, so there must be some sort of access to the site. Erection cranes and heavy equipment are often times necessary. All of this requires a coordinated effort. Of course, you hope to have properly working equipment.

Platform of erection equipment

One of the places to help with this is the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, TX. I learned from talking with Harold Simmons, one of the institutes staff engineers, that they have a “rotating machinery section” devoted to developing better components.

There were experts on electrical service, turbine braking, manufacturing, specialized tools, bearings, composite materials, towers, metals and just about anything you can think of dealing with wind power. Several areas of the globe were represented. From Germany to China, Korea, Australia, Italy, Greece, Japan, India, several locations in the U.S. and Canada, just to mention a few.

Brake disc for stopping turbine blades

Next week, I’ll touch on vertical axis as opposed to the more traditional horizontal axis wind turbines. I’ll end this week with a couple more interesting pics and give a link to seeing my first working wind turbine.

small scale erection display

Till next week, May God Bless You and all of your activities. Tim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcfv5uZAsNw My first working homebuilt wind turbine

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