The challenges and possible solutions of horizontal axis wind turbines as a clean energy solution for the future

This paper presents a review of existing and emerging wind power technologies in light of the evident trends of the industry, and describes the challenges these technologies will face if wind turbines were to become a significant and reliable source of clean energy of the future. Apart from withstanding both the cost pressures against other forms of renewable and non-renewable technologies and the technical and design challenges for efficient and enhanced performance under all weather conditions, a major hurdle that must be overcome is to make the wind farms acceptable to the general public. Although there is now a greater awareness amongst world population about the perils of climate change, the issue of wind turbine generated noise, land use, fauna deaths and visual impacts have to be adequately addressed to ensure continued political and public support for the technology to flourish. These are the viewpoints against which emerging technologies are reviewed and the capacity of some of them to address these issues explored. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.