WIND ENERGY
Wind is the motion (kinetic) energy of the air flow that moves between low pressure and high pressure zones. Air always moves from the high-pressure area to the low-pressure area. The greater the pressures difference between two zones, the greater the air flow rate. Wind power as an energy resource is an alternative to fossil fuels. Because, it is abundant, renewable and clean and it does not cause greenhouse gas effect during the process; besides, its customer base is wide.
Electricity generation by wind energy connected to the grid in Turkey has begun in 1998 and increased by more than 100% every year in terms of generated energy and installed power especially as from 2005 when the Law no 5346 on Utilization of Renewable Energy Resources for the Purpose of Generating Electrical Energy was enacted. As of the end of 2013, annual wind energy generation has reached 7,518 GWh. As of the end of 2013, the installed power of the wind power plants in operation is 2,760 MW.
The Wind Energy Potential Atlas (REPA) of Turkey was issued in 2006 by the Electric Power Resources Survey and Development Administration in order to determine the characteristics and distribution of the wind resources in Turkey. Detailed wind resource maps and other information given in this atlas provide a background that can be used to identify potential regions for electricity generation from wind energy (Figure). When the wind potentials at a height of 50 m above ground level given in the Wind Energy Potential Atlas (REPA) of Turkey are examined, it is understood that Aegean, Marmara and Eastern Mediterranean regions have a high potential. Turkey's wind energy potential has been identified as 47,849 MW, considering the wind speeds greater than 7 m/sec.
Each municipality has the opportunity to meet its internal consumption of 1 MW (maximum) and, if it occurs, to sell its surplus to the electricity distribution company for 10 years at the unit prices determined by law ($ 0.073 / KWh) as an electricity producer within the scope of the Regulation on Unlicensed Electricity Generation in the Electricity Market. Each municipality can set off the electricity it consumes with its generation facility which is at a different location within the boundaries of the distribution company from which it receives service, and sell the surplus electricity to the government.
Figure: Turkey's map of wind speed at 50 m (REPA-50 m)
Wind Turbines
RA wind turbine is a system that converts kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy and then electrical energy. A wind turbine generally consists of a tower, a generator, speed converters (gearbox), electrical-electronic elements and a propeller. The kinetic energy of the wind is converted into mechanical energy in the rotor. The revolution movement of the propeller shaft is accelerated and transferred to the generator in the body. The electrical energy obtained from the generator is stored by means of batteries or delivered directly to the recipients.
Areas Unusable for WPPs
"Unusable Areas" is one of the main issues to be considered when selecting a field. National parks, nature parks, natural monuments and nature protection areas, wildlife protection areas and wild animal breeding areas, cultural assets, natural assets, archeological sites and protected areas, residential areas and military areas are defined as unusable areas.
