Question

State, in brief, the process of harnessing the kinetic energy of the wind to do work, mentions some limitations of harnessing wind energy on a large scale.

Answer 1

Working of windmill:

1. A windmill is a machine that is operated by wind energy.
2. It consists of a large fan having long blades as shown in the figure.
3. When the wind blows over the blades of the windmill, the fans of the windmill start rotating.
4. A electric generator is connected to rotating blades through a shaft.
5. Generator starts producing electricity as the blades rotate.
6. The electric power generated can be used for various purposes.

Hence, by the action of wind on the blades of the windmill electricity is produced.

Two limitations of harnessing wind energy:

1. The minimum speed of wind required to run a windmill should be greater than 15 km per hour.
2. The wind has a very low energy density due to which extraction of energy from wind is a very costly process.

Hence, these are some limitations of harnessing wind energy.