Wind Power Systems–Electricity from Thin Air

By the first half of the twentieth century steam‐driven engines and diesel and electric motors had replaced almost all wind power systems. One of the applications for smaller wind power systems is charging battery systems. Technically, an island system with a battery functions in a similar way to a photovoltaic island grid, except that a wind generator is used instead of a photovoltaic module. Compared to photovoltaic island systems, island grids with wind turbines are technically more complex in their operation. During the pioneering days wind turbines were often erected individually, whereas today they are almost always grouped in large windfarms. Windfarms can usually only be erected in specifically designated areas identified within the regional planning specifications of local authorities and municipalities. Overall, wind power could cover between 40% and 50% of Germany's electricity demand by 2030 and become one of the most important pillars of a climate‐compatible electricity industry.