How Wind Energy is Blowing Away Australia’s Electricity Generation Game

Australia is no stranger to the power of wind. As a continent surrounded by oceans, it is constantly subjected to strong winds that whip around its vast plains and coastal regions. Wind energy technology harnesses this natural phenomenon, converting the kinetic energy of moving air into clean, renewable electricity. Let’s explore how wind energy actually works, and how it’s set to transform Australia’s electricity generation landscape.

How Wind Turbines Work

Wind turbines come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all operate on the same basic principle. A typical wind turbine consists of a tower that supports a large rotor, made up of two or three blades that spin around a central hub. When wind blows over the blades, it causes them to rotate, which drives a generator that produces electricity.

The blades are designed to capture as much wind energy as possible. They are shaped like the wings of an aeroplane and have a curved, aerodynamic profile that allows them to generate lift, just like an aeroplane wing. This lift force causes the blades to rotate, which is transferred to the rotor hub and ultimately to the generator.

Wind turbines are usually installed in clusters or wind farms, which can contain hundreds of individual turbines. The electricity generated by each turbine is fed into a substation, where it is stepped up in voltage and fed into the national electricity grid.

Benefits of Wind Energy

Wind energy is a clean and renewable source of electricity that produces no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollution. Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite resources, wind energy is virtually inexhaustible. And, unlike solar energy, which is only generated during daylight hours, wind energy can be generated 24/7.

Wind energy also has a low carbon footprint. While the production and installation of wind turbines do require energy and resources, the carbon emissions associated with their manufacture are outweighed by the emissions avoided by generating electricity from wind instead of fossil fuels.

Another benefit of wind energy is its cost competitiveness. Wind energy is now the cheapest form of new electricity generation in Australia, with the levelised cost of wind energy falling significantly in recent years. This makes wind energy an attractive option for electricity generators and consumers alike.

Wind Energy in Australia

Australia has abundant wind resources, particularly in its southern and western regions. In fact, Australia has some of the best wind resources in the world, and wind energy is now the cheapest form of new electricity generation in the country. Wind speeds reach 12 metres per second in offshore areas like Bass Strait in Australia’s southeast. Good wind resources extend hundreds of kilometres inland.

Australia also benefits from long term market demand – there is an estimated nine times the utility scale solar and wind generating capacity needed by 2050 (Source: 2022 Integrated System Plan for the National Electricity Market. Australian Energy Market Operator)

According to the Clean Energy Council, Australia currently has over 9,100 MW of installed wind capacity, enough to power more than 6 million homes. Wind energy currently accounts for around 10% of Australia’s total electricity generation, which is set to increase as more wind farms are built.

Some Australian states are developing renewable energy zones (REZ), where clusters of projects can be developed to create economies of scale. These ensure locations with the greatest potential for clean energy generation have the infrastructure to store and transport it. These include onshore and offshore areas.

Some of the largest wind farms in Australia include the Stockyard Hill Farm in Victoria (530 MW), the Coopers Gap Wind Farm in Queensland (453 MW), and the Macarthur Wind Farm (420 MW), also in Victoria.

Looking Forward

The future of wind energy in Australia looks bright. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) predicts that wind energy will continue to grow in importance, with installed wind capacity set to reach 52,000 MW by 2040.

With ongoing technological advances and cost reductions, wind energy is becoming an increasingly attractive option for governments, businesses, and communities alike.

Wind energy is a clean, reliable, and cost-effective source of energy that has the potential to revolutionise the energy industry in Australia. As Australia moves towards a more sustainable future, wind energy will play an increasingly important role in the energy mix.