Kate KelchKate Kelch

Chris ThomasChris Thomas

Julia ZurekJulia Zurek http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Windfarm_(48).JPG

http://features.csmonitor.com/economyrebuild/2009/02/05/america%E2%80%99s-wind-corridor/

Wind Turbine FunctionsWind Turbine FunctionsThe turbines generate electricity as much as eight large nuclear power plants.

2 Types:

Vertical Axis design

Horizontal Axis design

Parts of a wind turbine

~Rotor Blade

~Hub

~Shaft

~Nacelle

( Yaw Controller, Gearbox, Generator, Brakes)

~Tower

Wind Functions Continued..Wind Functions Continued..>The yaw controller activates the rotor to align the unit with the wind direction. And dictates the wind speed, the turbines will start turning at 8mph and stop at 55mph to avoid damage.

>The gearbox controls the shaft speed between generator and rotor hub.

>The rotor blades rotate causing a series of reactions which lead to the electricity production

>Tower is the area where turbines are sometimes placed to collect more wind.

MinnesotaCalifornia

California

Wind Farms Across the United States

•Wind is free, so wind farms do not need fuel.

•Produces no waste or greenhouse gases.

•Land under wind turbines can still be used for farming.

•Wind farms can be tourist attractions.

•It is a good method of supplying energy to remote areas.

Wind as an Alternative for Non-Wind as an Alternative for Non-Renewable EnergyRenewable Energy

The U.S. uses fossil fuels to generate more than 2/3 of its The U.S. uses fossil fuels to generate more than 2/3 of its electricity. electricity.

51% is generated with coal, 15% is generated with natural gas, 51% is generated with coal, 15% is generated with natural gas, and 3% is generated with petroleum. and 3% is generated with petroleum.

In the year 2000 wind turbines worldwide produced 15,000 In the year 2000 wind turbines worldwide produced 15,000 megawatts of electricity (5.2 million homes) (1% of energy used megawatts of electricity (5.2 million homes) (1% of energy used in the US)in the US)

Wind power potential (900,000 megawatts) off our coasts = as Wind power potential (900,000 megawatts) off our coasts = as much as the current capacity of all power plants in the United much as the current capacity of all power plants in the United States combined.States combined.

ChallengesChallenges Cannot be created on demand. The wind blows off and on. Cannot be created on demand. The wind blows off and on.

Land useLand use

Wind farms cause erosion in desert areas. Wind farms cause erosion in desert areas.

Affect the natural view. Affect the natural view.

Bird deaths occur due to collisions with wind turbines and Bird deaths occur due to collisions with wind turbines and associated wires. associated wires.

Noise (wind turbines generate both audible and low Noise (wind turbines generate both audible and low frequency [deep base vibration] sound waves). frequency [deep base vibration] sound waves).

Grass or brush fires caused by shorts in the electrical Grass or brush fires caused by shorts in the electrical cables.cables.

In Use in the U.S.In Use in the U.S. The Midwestern U.S= The “Saudi The Midwestern U.S= The “Saudi

Arabia of wind”Arabia of wind” The Dakotas and Texas have enough The Dakotas and Texas have enough

wind resources to meet the nation’s wind resources to meet the nation’s electricity needs.electricity needs.

12 wind farm projects in the U.S.12 wind farm projects in the U.S. California=Largest number of wind California=Largest number of wind

turbinesturbines

Pros and Cons of California Pros and Cons of California Wind ProjectsWind Projects

Altamont Pass, Altamont Pass, CaliforniaCaliforniain 2004 in 2004 turbines killed 4,700 birds turbines killed 4,700 birds

Under hot inland Under hot inland conditions a thermal low is conditions a thermal low is developed that brings in developed that brings in cool coastal marine air.cool coastal marine air.

New units=more efficientNew units=more efficient

Becoming a RealityBecoming a Reality

Less than 1% of Nation’s EnergyLess than 1% of Nation’s Energy

20% Wind Power by 2030, reduce CO2 by 20% Wind Power by 2030, reduce CO2 by 25%25%

Midwest has not reached full potentialMidwest has not reached full potential

Highest Potential Energy on CoastlinesHighest Potential Energy on Coastlines

Michigan’s WindMichigan’s Wind

Could power 107 Could power 107 million homesmillion homes

Cost about 3.5 Cost about 3.5 million eachmillion each

Great Offshore ResourcesGreat Offshore Resources

100,000 Turbines 100,000 Turbines 321,000 MW 321,000 MW

Works CitedWorks Cited

Bionomic Fuel. "How Wind Turbine Power Is Used." Bionomic Fuel. "How Wind Turbine Power Is Used." Bionomic FuelBionomic Fuel. 28 Oct. 2008. . 28 Oct. 2008. Bionomicfuel.com. 4 Feb. 2009 <http://www.bionomicfuel.com>. Bionomicfuel.com. 4 Feb. 2009 <http://www.bionomicfuel.com>.

Clendenin, Julie. "Wind energy grows by record 8,300 MW." Clendenin, Julie. "Wind energy grows by record 8,300 MW." Wind: Powering a Wind: Powering a Cleaner Stronger AmericaCleaner Stronger America. 27 Jan. 2009. AWEA. 4 Feb. 2009 . 27 Jan. 2009. AWEA. 4 Feb. 2009 <http://www.awea.org/>. <http://www.awea.org/>.

Darvill, Andy. "Energy Resources:Wind Power." Darvill, Andy. "Energy Resources:Wind Power." Andy Darvill's Science SiteAndy Darvill's Science Site. 1 Nov. . 1 Nov. 2008. 3 Feb. 2009 <http://www.darvill.clara.net>. 2008. 3 Feb. 2009 <http://www.darvill.clara.net>.

Layton, Julia. "How Wind Power Works." Layton, Julia. "How Wind Power Works." How Stuff WorksHow Stuff Works. 30 Oct. 2008. 3 Feb. 2009 . 30 Oct. 2008. 3 Feb. 2009 <http://science.howstuffworks.com>. <http://science.howstuffworks.com>.

Leahy, Patrick. "Pollution from Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Power Plants." Leahy, Patrick. "Pollution from Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Power Plants." Patrick Leahy Patrick Leahy VermontVermont. 2009. United States Senate. 4 Feb. 2009 . 2009. United States Senate. 4 Feb. 2009

<http://leahy.senate.gov/index.htm>. <http://leahy.senate.gov/index.htm>.

Thomas, Justin. "New Report: Offshore Wind Could Power Entire U.S." Thomas, Justin. "New Report: Offshore Wind Could Power Entire U.S." Science and Science and TechnologyTechnology. 2009. Treehugger. 4 Feb. 2009 . 2009. Treehugger. 4 Feb. 2009

<http://www.treehugger.com>. <http://www.treehugger.com>.