Between 2010 and 2020, global wind capacity rose by 14% per year on average, reaching 743 GW. The wind was the second-largest renewable energy source for power generation in the world (behind hydropower). With 743 GW of global capacity, wind power produced more than 6% of global electricity in 2020. (707.4 GW is onshore). The use of wind turbines to generate electricity is known as wind power or wind energy. Wind energy is a popular, renewable energy source that has a far lower environmental impact than burning fossil fuels. This article will explain to you about Wind Energy which will be helpful in preparing the Environment Syllabus for the UPSC Civil Service Exam.

How is Power Generated from Wind?

• The propeller-like blades of a turbine are turned by the wind around a rotor, which spins a generator, which generates power.
• The use of wind turbines to generate electricity is known as wind power or wind energy.
• Sails, windmills, and windpumps have all harnessed wind power in the past.
• The kinetic energy in the wind is converted into mechanical energy by wind turbines.
• Wind creates lift on the blades, which causes the blades to turn (similar to the effect on airplane wings).
• The blades are attached to a drive shaft that rotates an electric generator, which generates electricity.

What is a Wind Farm?

• Wind farms are places with a significant number of huge wind turbines clustered together.
• They "harvest" the wind's energy. These massive turbines resemble super-tall windmills in appearance.
• Hundreds of wind turbines can be spread out over hundreds of kilometers in a huge wind farm.
• The land in between the turbines could be used for anything else, like conventional farming.
• Some wind farms are built near bodies of water as well. They use the breezes that blow across lakes or oceans to their advantage.

Types of Wind Farm

Onshore Wind Farms

• Onshore wind energy refers to wind turbines that are positioned on land and generate electricity using the wind.
• They're usually found in places with little conservation or habitat value.

Advantages of Onshore Wind Farms

• Inexpensive: Onshore wind farms are generally inexpensive, enabling for large-scale wind farms.
• Less Voltage Drop off on the Cabling: Because the distance between the windmill and the customer is shorter, the voltage drop on the cabling is reduced.
• Simple to Set Up: Wind turbines are simple to set up. A wind turbine, unlike a nuclear power plant, may be built in a matter of months rather than years.

Disadvantages of Onshore Windfarms

• Nuisance on Landscape: Onshore wind farms have a number of drawbacks, one of which is that many people consider them to be a nuisance to the landscape.
• Do not Provide Energy All Year: Due to inadequate wind speed or physical obstructions like buildings or hills, they do not provide energy all year.
• Source of Noise Pollution: Wind turbine noise is comparable to that of a lawnmower, and it is frequently a source of noise pollution for local areas.

Offshore Wind Farms

• Offshore wind power, also known as offshore wind energy, is when the wind is utilized to create electricity over open water, usually in the ocean.
• Wind farms are built in areas with higher wind speeds, such as bodies of water.

Advantages of Offshore Wind Farms

• More Energy: Larger and taller windmills can be built than onshore equivalents, enabling more energy collection.
• Less Obtrusive: They are typically located far out at sea, making them less obtrusive to neighboring countries and allowing for the creation of larger farms per square mile.
• Higher Wind Speed: Out at sea, the wind speed/ force is typically substantially higher, allowing for more energy to be generated at once.
• Negligible Impact on the Environment: Wind farms appear to have a negligible impact on the environment in which they are located.
• They are not constructed in shipping channels, fishing grounds, or sensitive places.
• There are no physical obstructions to the wind movement, such as hills or buildings.

Disadvantages of Offshore Wind Farms

• Expensive: The expense of an offshore wind farm is its most significant disadvantage.
• Offshore wind farms can be costly to construct and maintain, and because of their remote locations, they are vulnerable to damage from extremely high winds during storms or hurricanes, which can be costly to repair.
• Impact On Marine Life: The impact of offshore wind farms on marine life and birds is still being studied.
• Damage to Properties And Tourism: Offshore wind farms constructed closer to coastlines (usually within 26 miles) may be unpopular with locals since they may damage property values and tourism.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Wind Farm

Working of Wind Turbines

• The aerodynamic force of the rotor blades, which act similarly to an airplane wing or helicopter rotor blade, converts wind energy into electrical energy in a wind turbine.
• The air pressure on one side of the blade lowers when the wind blows across it. Lift and drag are created by the differential in air pressure across the two sides of the blade.
• The lift force is greater than the drag force, causing the rotor to spin.
• The rotor is connected to the generator either directly (if it's a direct drive turbine) or through a shaft and a series of gears (gearbox) that speeds up the spinning and allows the generator to be physically smaller.
• This conversion of aerodynamic force to generator rotation produces electricity.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Working of a Wind Turbine

Wind Turbines - Types

Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine

• Due to its strength and efficiency, horizontal axis wind turbines are the most often utilized turbines.
• The towers' bases must be exceedingly robust in order for the rotor shaft to be mounted at the top of the tower, exposing the turbine to harsher winds.
• When compared to a vertical axis wind turbine, the revolution of the turbine blades can generate greater electricity because they are perpendicular to the wind.
• However, the building of this sort of turbine necessitates a large crane to hoist the components to the top of the tower and hefty support for the tower to handle the weight of the blades, gearbox, and generator.
• When the wind is blowing down, the turbine structure may experience mechanical failure, which could result in structural failure.
• This can be avoided by configuring the turbines to face upwind. To track the direction of the wind and avoid damaging the turbine, horizontal axis wind turbines require additional yaw control.

Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

• As the blades are rotated on a rotor shaft that is perpendicular to the ground, vertical axis wind turbines are less impacted by frequent wind direction changes than horizontal axis wind turbines.
• The turbine does not need to rotate to monitor wind direction because the blades and shaft are positioned in this manner.
• Due to the difficulty of putting the shaft and its components atop the tower, the shaft is installed near ground level.
• The advantage of mounting the turbine at ground level is that it is easy to maintain and may be installed in places like rooftops.
• The efficiency of this turbine installation is reduced due to air drag and lower wind speeds when compared to higher wind speeds seen at higher elevations.

Potential of Wind Energy in India

• In recent years, India's wind power generation capacity has increased significantly.
• The Southern, Western, and Northern regions have the most wind power capacity.
• Between 2010 and 2020, the compound annual growth rate for wind generation was 11.39 percent, and for installed capacity, it was 8.78 percent.
• India's 7,600 km of coastline, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), can generate 127 GW of offshore wind energy.
• At a 100-meter hub height, the total wind energy potential, according to the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), is 302 GW.
• Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu account for more than 95 percent of commercially exploitable resources.
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) of the Union has set a goal of installing 5 GW of offshore wind by 2022 and 30 GW by 2030.

Installed Capacity of Wind Energy

• India's wind energy sector is led by its own wind energy industry, which has made steady growth.
• The wind industry's growth has resulted in a strong ecosystem, project operating capabilities, and a manufacturing base of roughly 10,000 megawatts per year.
• With a total installed capacity of 39.25 GW (as of March 31, 2021), the country now ranks fourth in the world for wind installed capacity and generated roughly 60.149 billion units in 2020-21.
• The government has installed over 800 wind-monitoring stations across the country and released wind potential maps at 50m, 80m, 100m, and 120m above ground level through the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE).
• The government is also encouraging private sector investment in wind power projects across the country by offering tax and financial benefits such as Accelerated Depreciation and concessionary custom duty exemption on specific components of wind energy generators.
• Furthermore, the Generation Based Incentive (GBI) Scheme was available for wind projects that were completed before March 31, 2017.

National Offshore Wind Energy Policy, 2015

• The Indian government issued the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy in 2015.
• Offshore wind energy is still a relatively undeveloped sector in the country, which the strategy hopes to change.
• Despite a 7,600-kilometer coastline and a 140-gigawatt offshore wind energy potential by 2050, India currently has no offshore wind energy plants in operation.
• The government believes that announcing this policy, it would encourage the growth of offshore wind energy and bring it up to pace with traditional energy sources.

Objectives of National Offshore Wind Energy Policy

The National Offshore Wind Energy Policies' primary objectives are:

• Exploration and promotion of offshore wind farm deployment in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• Encouragement of energy infrastructure investment.
• Through appropriate incentives, promote spatial planning and management of maritime renewable energy resources in India's EEZ.
• Obtaining energy security is a priority.
• Carbon emissions must be reduced.
• Increasing the in-house development of offshore wind energy technology.
• Increasing the number of skilled workers and jobs in the offshore wind energy sector.
• In the offshore wind industry, enabling the Development, Operation & Maintenance.
• Creating coastal infrastructure and a supply chain to enable major construction and fabrication work, as well as operations and maintenance.

*To know more about the topic, click this link National Offshore Wind Energy Policy, 2015

National Wind Energy Mission (Proposed)

• As part of its goal to achieve exponential development in renewable energy, the government recommends launching a national wind energy mission (NWM) along the lines of the current solar mission.
• The main objective of this initiative would be to make India a global leader in wind power by facilitating its widespread adoption in a timely manner across the country.
• The cabinet note on the new policy is nearing completion and will be presented for approval soon.
• With an expenditure of Rs 10,00,000 crore, NWM plans to increase wind power capacity to 60,000 MW by 2022.
• It will use a combination of fiscal incentives to encourage the adoption of new technologies and the flow of global capital, with the goal of increasing capacity.

Government Initiatives

National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy

The main goal is to provide a framework for the promotion of large grid-connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems for the most optimal and efficient use of wind and solar resources, transmission infrastructure, and land.

National Offshore Wind Energy Policy

• The National Offshore Wind Energy Policy was notified in October 2015.
• The main goal is to develop offshore wind energy in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which stretches for 7600 kilometers along the Indian coastline.

Major Wind Power Plants in India

Advantages of Wind Energy

• Cost Effective: Wind energy is a cost-effective option. Wind energy mitigates the price uncertainty that fuel costs add to traditional sources of energy because its electricity is sold at a fixed price over a long period of time and its fuel is free.
• Employment Generation: Jobs are created by the wind power production sector. More people are employed in the wind industry, and wind turbine technician is one of the fastest-growing occupations.
• Environment Friendly: It's an environmentally friendly fuel source. Wind energy does not pollute the air in the same way that power plants that burn fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas, do, emitting particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide, which cause human health problems and economic losses.
• Wind turbines do not emit any pollutants into the atmosphere that cause acid rain, smog, or greenhouse gasses.
• Abundant Availability: The wind supply is plentiful and unrestricted.
• Sustainable Source: It is a sustainable resource.
• The wind in itself is a type of solar energy. Winds are caused by the sun's heating of the atmosphere, the Earth's rotation, and the irregularities on its surface.
• The energy produced by the sun and the wind can be harnessed to send power across the grid for as long as the sun shines and the wind blows.
• Non Requirement of New Farms: On existing farms or ranches, wind turbines can be installed.
• Economic Aid to Rural Areas: This has a significant economic impact in rural areas, where the majority of the best wind sites are located.
• Farmers and ranchers can continue to use the land because wind turbines only take up a small portion of it.
• Microclimate: Due to the turbulence caused by the blades, a 2010 study discovered that the climate in the immediate proximity of wind farms is colder during the day and somewhat warmer at night than the surrounding areas.
• In another study, researchers found that the microclimate created by wind turbines helps maize and soybean crops in the central United States by preventing late spring and early fall frosts and reducing the action of pathogenic fungus that develops on the leaves.
• Even in the hottest part of the summer, a drop of 2.5–3 degrees above the crops owing to turbulence created by the blades can make a significant impact in maize production.

Disadvantages of Wind Energy

• Cost Competitiveness With Conventional Sources: On a cost basis, the wind power must still compete with conventional generation sources.
• Despite the fact that the cost of wind power has dropped considerably in recent decades, wind projects must be able to compete economically with the least expensive source of electricity, and some places may not be windy enough to be cost-competitive.
• Land Availability: Good land-based wind sites are frequently found in rural regions, far from the cities that require electricity.
• To get the electricity from the wind farm to the city, transmission lines must be constructed.
• Building just a fraction of the already-proposed transmission lines, on the other hand, may drastically cut the costs of developing wind energy.
• Effectiveness of Land Use: Wind energy development may not be the most cost-effective use of land.
• Alternative uses for land that might be more valuable than energy generation must compete with property suitable for wind turbine construction.
• Noise Pollution: Turbines have the potential to pollute the environment with noise and odor.
• Although wind power plants have a lower environmental impact than conventional power plants, there is worry about the noise generated by the turbine blades and the visual impact on the landscape.
• Impact on Local Wildlife: Wind turbines have the potential to harm local wildlife. Birds have been killed by flying into turbine blades that are whirling.
• The majority of these issues have been solved or considerably reduced as a result of technological advancements or optimal wind plant placement.
• Wind turbine blades have also killed bats, and research is currently underway to find and enhance ways to limit the impact of wind turbines on these animals.
• Wind projects, like all energy sources, have the potential to modify the habitat on which they are erected, potentially reducing the habitat's appropriateness for specific species.

Conclusion

Wind power is essential for India's clean energy transition. In keeping with our country's Atmanirbhar Bharat objective, India has the benefit of having a proven and easily scalable manufacturing base of over 10GW with 80-90 percent local content. Wind energy remains incredibly competitive and efficient, with Plant Load Factors above 40% and decreasing the cost of energy produced by wind. Wind energy, along with storage (battery), is one of the most dependable renewable energy sources and can fulfill peak demand.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which country had the highest installed wind power capacity as of 2020?

A) United States
B) Germany
C) China
D) India

2. What is the primary component of a wind turbine that captures wind energy?

A) Rotor blades
B) Generator
C) Tower
D) Nacelle

3. Which Indian state has the highest wind energy potential?

A) Maharashtra
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Gujarat
D) Rajasthan

4. What is the main advantage of offshore wind farms over onshore ones?

A) Lower maintenance costs
B) Higher and more consistent wind speeds
C) Easier installation
D) Less environmental impact

5. Which policy outlines India's approach to offshore wind energy development?

A) National Solar Mission
B) National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy
C) National Offshore Wind Energy Policy, 2015
D) Renewable Energy Act, 2018

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the role of wind energy in India's renewable energy mix and its potential for future growth.

Answer: Wind energy is a crucial component of India's renewable energy portfolio, contributing significantly to the nation's electricity generation. With a vast coastline and favorable wind conditions, India has substantial potential for both onshore and offshore wind energy development. Government initiatives, such as the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy, 2015, aim to harness this potential, setting ambitious targets for capacity addition. The expansion of wind energy supports India's commitments to reduce carbon emissions and transition to a sustainable energy future.

Q2: Analyze the environmental and socio-economic impacts of large-scale wind energy projects in India.

Answer: Large-scale wind energy projects offer environmental benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. Socio-economically, they create employment opportunities and stimulate local economies. However, challenges include land acquisition issues, potential displacement of communities, and impacts on local wildlife and ecosystems. Balancing development with environmental conservation and community interests is essential for sustainable growth in the wind energy sector.

Q3: Evaluate the challenges and opportunities associated with offshore wind energy development in India.

Answer: Offshore wind energy presents opportunities for tapping into higher wind speeds and reducing land use conflicts. Challenges include high capital costs, technological complexities, and the need for robust grid infrastructure. India's National Offshore Wind Energy Policy, 2015, aims to address these challenges by providing a framework for development. Successful implementation requires collaboration between government, industry, and stakeholders to overcome obstacles and realize the potential of offshore wind energy.

Previous Year Questions on Wind Energy

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019:

Question: Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding wind energy in India?

1. The largest wind farm in India is located in Gujarat.
2. India has the fifth largest installed wind power capacity in the world.

A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2
D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (B)

Explanation: While India is among the top countries in wind power capacity, the largest wind farm is located in Tamil Nadu, not Gujarat.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2021 (GS Paper 3):

Question: How can India leverage its offshore wind energy potential to meet its renewable energy goals?

Answer: India can leverage its offshore wind energy potential by investing in advanced technologies and robust infrastructure. Offshore wind projects offer higher capacity factors, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Policies like the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy, 2015, provide a foundation for development. Collaboration with global stakeholders and addressing logistical challenges are crucial for achieving India's renewable