Solar activity is the major cause of weather. These are characterized by mass displacement of air within the atmosphere . It is the mechanical energy of the mass displacement of air that is the basis of the wind . Wind energy is therefore to use the mechanical energy.
Of boats have been used since the ancient times , as evidenced by the Solar Barque of Khufu . Until the middle of xix th century , most of the water movement in the medium and long distance are made ​​by the wind. A derivative having customary land sports was made ​​possible by modern technology: the yachting .
Wind energy has also been exploited quickly by using windmills equipped with sail-shaped blades, like those we see in the Netherlands or those mentioned in Don Quixote . These mills use mechanical energy to power various devices. The mills of the Netherlands operate pumps directly with the aim to dry or keeping dry polders of the country. Millers use windmills to turn a mill grain .
Today, it is the wind that take the place of windmills. Wind turbines convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy, or to inject it into a distribution network is to be used on site (remote site network distribution). To solve the space problem, they are more often placed offshore 4 .
Wind power is also growing more and more at the individual level. Indeed, the small wind becomes very profitable, manufacturers offering generating more efficient and more affordable. The small farm is generally used to generate electricity to be consumed on site 7 . Indeed, the rate of purchase of electricity in place is not good for small wind turbines. In addition, to benefit from the purchase price of EDF, the turbine must be placed in Wind Development Zone, which limits the possibilities at the individual level 8 .
Tomorrow, new sails will look for the winds aloft, more powerful, more regular. Magenn , Kite Gen , and Skywindpower be $ 300m, 1200m or 5000m to produce up to 100 times more electricity than wind Current 4 .