The different types of wind turbines

There are onshore wind turbines (an American term meaning on the ground, that is, on continents) and offshore wind turbines (on the sea). The latter have advantages in terms of noise pollution since they are far from homes and in terms of winds because marine winds are more numerous and stronger than continental winds. However, they are much more difficult to install and therefore much more expensive.

There are two main types of wind turbines:

Vertical axis wind turbines
Horizontal axis wind turbines

Nowadays, there are several types of wind turbines among these two main categories.

Horizontal axis wind turbines

Modern classic three-blade wind turbines: a design that has prevailed in the global market for reasons of structural stability. There are also two-blade and single-blade wind turbines, but they are less reliable.

The total height of these wind turbines varies between 25 and 180m for a power ranging from 100 Kw to 5 MW.

Vertical axis wind turbines — Photo credit: Stocklib — Image ref: 1-65874353

Domestic wind turbines

Their size does not exceed 12m and they have a power ranging from 100W to 20Kw.

Their installation in France is still very low, about 600. (Much less than in some other European countries).

Horizontal or domestic wind turbines can be of the "downwind" or "upwind" type. In most cases, they are "upwind" turbines, meaning the wind blows directly on the turbine blades. This requires the use of very rigid blades as they are very exposed to the wind.
The "downwind" configuration is used particularly for small wind turbines that are equipped with more fragile blades.

Two-blade and single-blade wind turbine — Photo credit: Stocklib — Image ref: 1-64878456

Vertical axis wind turbines

Vertical axis wind turbines are more expensive than horizontal axis wind turbines and more complex in design but adapt more easily to areas with irregular wind. A vertical axis wind turbine is especially useful in places where there is not much space: in the city, on the roof of a building, for example.
There are two models of vertical axis wind turbines: Savonius and Darrieus

Darrieus:
They are compact, do not require orientation systems, and are easy to install. However, they have low efficiency and do not start on their own.

Savonius:
This wind turbine also has low efficiency compared to a conventional wind turbine but has the advantage of operating with all wind directions. The turbine is compact and being on a vertical axis reduces vibrations, which can be very constraining on a building.

Vertical wind turbines — Photo credit: Stocklib — Image ref: 1-89625960

Hydro turbines

Hydro turbines are specific wind turbines that operate underwater using the energy of marine currents. They are underwater wind turbines or marine aerogenerators.

The development of hydro turbines is very recent and already very promising. While the manufacturing of land-based wind turbines is much less complex than that of hydro turbines, the latter can deploy much greater power for a much smaller size. This is because the energy of marine currents is 800 times greater than that of the wind. Variations within marine currents are also much smaller than wind variations.

The major disadvantage of hydro turbines is their impact on the marine environment: although the blades turn slowly enough and create less disturbance than a boat's propellers, hydro turbines still create larger turbulence zones preventing the development of marine fauna and flora over large perimeters.

Since hydro turbines are underwater, erosion is very strong and for now, the lifespan of hydro turbines is quite limited. The installation of hydro turbines, particularly at tidal currents, remains a very interesting path for the production of new energy.

Pumping wind turbine

Created in the 1930s, "Oasis" wind turbines are designed to use the driving force of the wind to operate a water pump. Acquired by the thousands by French farmers, they are used for many purposes:

livestock feeding,
irrigation of vegetable crops,
firefighting (supplying water reserves),
drainage and drying of wetlands,
oxygenation of ponds,
fish farming,
forestry,
pumping seawater for salt marshes,
creating water points for game...

Pumping wind turbines — Photo credit: Stocklib — Image ref: 1-61157593

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main types of wind turbines?

There are two main types of wind turbines: horizontal axis wind turbines, often used for large installations, and vertical axis wind turbines, suitable for confined spaces and areas with irregular wind. There are also hydro turbines, which operate underwater, and pumping wind turbines used for irrigation or water supply.

What is the difference between a horizontal axis wind turbine and a vertical axis wind turbine?

Horizontal axis wind turbines are the most common, with blades oriented facing the wind, often more efficient and used in large wind farms. Vertical axis wind turbines, on the other hand, are more suited to urban environments or areas with irregular winds, but they generally have lower efficiency.

What is a hydro turbine and how does it work?

A hydro turbine is an underwater turbine that uses the energy of marine currents to produce electricity. Its power is generally higher than that of land-based wind turbines due to the high density of water, although its installation is more complex and costly.

What are the uses of a pumping wind turbine?

Pumping wind turbines are used for agricultural and environmental applications, including irrigation, livestock feeding, pond aeration, wetland drainage, and firefighting through water pumping.

What are the advantages of offshore wind turbines?

Offshore wind turbines are installed at sea, allowing them to capture stronger and more consistent winds than on land. They are also far from residential areas, reducing noise pollution. However, their installation and maintenance are more expensive and complex.