Here are a few of the most common phrases associated with the wind industry.
asynchronous induction generator
Wind turbine whose rotor blades turn at a constant, slow speed and which feeds directly to the grid without using an inverter. Most commonly found on large wind farms.
capacity factor
The ratio of actual output of power compared to the output which would have been produced at full capacity, taken over a certain period of time.
carbon footprint
The sum of all greenhouse gas emissions produced by an individual, organization, event or product.
Clear Skies accreditation
Clear Skies is an endorsement awarded to companies who are seen to have significantly contributed to lowering the UK’s consumption of fossil fuels and subsequent production of carbon emissions.
CO2 emissions
Released when fossil fuels are burned and is a major contributing factor to global warming.
domestic wind turbine
Wind turbines designed specifically for home use.
electrical energy
Energy created through the flow of electric through a conductor.
energy yield
The amount of energy which is produced.
fossil fuels
Fuels formed by natural resources, such as natural gas, oil, and coal.
government grant
A sum of money awarded by the government for a particular purpose, which does not have to be paid back at any point.
grid power
The general purpose electric power supply.
horizontal axis wind turbine
Horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWT) are wind turbines which have the main rotor shaft and generator at the top of the tower, and must be pointed towards the source in wind in order to work.
kinetic energy
Kinetic energy is the energy which is produced due to an objects motion.
mechanical energy
A term used in physics which refers to the total of probable energy and kinetic energy present in the components of a mechanical system.
nacelle
A shell containing engines, fuels, or equipment on an aircraft or wind turbine.
planning permission
Consent required, usually from government or local authority, in order to make a change to or add any structure.
renewable energy
Energy which is produced naturally, eg by wind, sun, and can be replenished easily.
renewable obligation certificate (ROC)
ROCs are awarded to individuals or businesses for every kW of energy they produce by renewable sources, and these be traded in for a sum of money.
residential wind turbine
Wind turbines designed specifically for use in areas of housing.
rotor
A rotating part of any device.
swept area
This is the area which rotor blades of a turbine pass as they rotate in a circle.
synchronous generator
A wind turbine whose rate of rotation changes with respect to the wind speed, and which must be passed through an inverter before feeding into an electricity grid.
triple safety system
The comprehensive safety system used by Gaia-Wind which parks the rotor blades in high wind speeds.
turbine controller
The part of the turbine which halts the mechanism should the wind reach speeds over a certain level.
vertical axis wind turbine
Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT) are wind turbines whose main rotor shafts are arranged vertically, meaning that they do not need to be pointed in the direction of the source of wind to work.
wind power
The production of useful energy from wind, usually using wind turbines.
wind turbine
A machine which converts the kinetic energy from wind into mechanical energy.
wind turbine installation
The act of setting up and set in motion a wind turbine.