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How Does it Work

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  The stages of the formation of a wind farm: from the project after the implementation of investment. more
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  Poland covers an area characterized by a high development potential in renewable energy sources. more

Wind is one of the elements people tried to make use of for ages. Progress in civilization and technological advancements made it possible to develop methods of transforming kinetic energy into electric energy.

Kinetic energy is transformed into electric energy thanks to a turbine, whose rotor revolving with the wind power drives the generator. This is how ecological zero emission energy is produced. State-of-the-art technologies and advanced computational processes make it possible for contemporary turbines to generate a few kW or several MW of energy. Turbines may be as high as over 100 m and their rotor bladespan may reach 48 m.

Periodical character of strong winds and territorial coverage constitute a challenge for the optimal use of wind energy. That is why in order to check the potential for wind energy projects in a given area, detailed tests of wind conditions must be conducted. Results of research on wind speed and wind directions conducted for many years by the National Institute of Meteorology and Water Management indicate that opportunities to develop wind power generation in Poland are very promising.

One of the fundamental conditions for the construction of a wind power generator is large open space. This is a serious condition and a particularly challenging one for wind farms. Even though the very area covered by a wind power plant is not large, appropriate distance must be maintained between windmills. For example a 1 MW installation requires an area of around 7 ha of which 99% remains agricultural land.

Wind farms are located both on land and in sea. Coastal areas offer exceptionally good conditions as high speed winds blow there regularly hence wind turbines are located in these areas in order to generate electric energy regularly.

It is important to emphasize that according to estimates nearly 99 % of wind farm areas are used for agricultural purposes, i.e. both for farming and animal breeding.make very little noise. 500 m away from the turbine, noise is undetectable and may be compared to background wind noise or to rustling leaves Land lease for a wind farm may be an additional source of income for farmers. Sometimes wind farms are located on mine dumps and help revitalize such areas in an attractive way.

Modern large wind farms make very little noise. 500 m away from the turbine, noise is undetectable and may be compared to background wind noise or to rustling leaves. The Polish law regulates noise emission and requires installations not to exceed the noise emission of 40 dB in residential areas. In practical terms it means that the minimal distance between a wind farm and the closest residential house should be 600 m.

According to procedural requirements stemming from highest world standards and from the recommendations by the Polish Wind Energy Association, one of the important factors considered in the process of investment planning is care for the fauna and flora with particular attention to birds.

Environmental impact assessment and the decision on environmental conditions are very significant elements in the procedures leading to the acquisition of the location approval and the construction permit. Wind farm locations are carefully selected so that they do not interfere with major bird routes and bird feeding grounds.