Introduction to Wind Principles, 1st edition

For courses in wind energy technology, especially technical courses in wind energy equipment repair and maintenance.

This book covers all aspects of installing and troubleshooting wind turbines, giving technicians the knowledge they need to handle even complex maintenance tasks. Writing clearly and simply, Thomas Kissell explains how wind turbine blades harvest wind energy, and how generators convert shaft turning energy into electricity. He shows how electrical and hydraulic systems control the speed of wind turbine blades, energizing blade pitch and yaw position controls. Mechanical subjects such as gears, transmissions and gearboxes are discussed in detail. Many pictures and diagrams are included, and all math and data is provided: no calculus or other mathematics is required.

Hallmark Features

Comprehensive, in-depth coverage–including wind turbine installation and troubleshooting, towers, blades, generators, control, and much more

• Gives students all the technical knowledge they need to install, maintain, and repair today’s increasingly complex, grid-connected wind power equipment
• The first book on wind energy designed specifically with technicians in mind 

History, background, trends, and demand projections–Provides the context needed to understand the growing role of wind energy

• Helps students understand and evaluate the wind energy industry more effectively, and make better career decisions 

Coverage of all parts of vertical and horizontal wind turbines–including small, medium, and large wind turbines

• Prepares students to work with any type of wind generation system in any environment 

Several chapters of essential electrical coverage–including basic electricity theory, magnetism, motors, generators, PLC controls, and the electrical grid

• Provides the solid understanding of electricity that technicians need to effectively troubleshoot generators, control systems, PLCs, and grid connections 

Extensive discussion of mechanical topics–Thoroughly explains gears, transmissions, gearboxes, and related subjects

• Prepares students to work with the crucial mechanical components of wind power generation systems 

Towers, tower designs, and safety–Walks through the advantages and disadvantages of each type of tower, discusses the principles of safe tower design and construction, and explains nacelle installation

• Prepares students to install wind towers as well as maintaining them  

Integration of wind-generated electricity into the grid–Contains extensive, example-rich coverage of large scale wind systems and their connections to the electrical grid

• Reflects the trend towards larger, more complex systems that are fully integrated into the grid 

No calculus or other math prerequisites–All math and data is provided in tables, so students do not need to perform calculations

• Far more accessible than competitive books written primarily for engineering students 

Proven pedagogical features–Includes chapter objectives, overviews, definitions of key terms, open-ended questions, and multiple-choice questions

• Provides the tools students need to learn more rapidly and effectively