WIND Energy

Neel SangalJoey Trinity

Stefani Spence

How wind works!

• Turbines transform mechanical energy to electrical energy.–Wind– Turbines

– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Kx3qj_oRCc&feature=related

History of Wind

Wind Usage

• All around the world!

40,000MW42,000MW

27,214MW

5,112MW

Positive Benefits

• Reduced CO2, SO2 outputs.• Reduced use of nonrenewable energy• The energy needed to build turbines is

quickly recovered• Wind power uses less land

Negative Consequences

• Difficult to connect many wind turbines to get the energy out of the

• Property values decrease where wind farms are visible.

• Hurts tourism• Kills bats

How efficient would this resource be?• An individual windmill can produce around

60-75 kW• In California, a wind farm of 17,000 windmills

produces 1400MW (80% of US wind capacity)

• In 1998 wind farms produced enough electricity to power San Francisco

• Wind energy = 2nd least expensive source in CA

Continued• It is estimated that there is enough wind

energy in Texas and the Dakotas for the entire US

• Wind currently supplies less than 1% of the world’s electricity, but could supply 10% and eventually surpass the #1 source (hydropower – 20%)

Where is the ideal location in the US?• The coastal Northeast• Belt from Texas to the Rockies and the Dakotas• Mountains in North Carolina/northern Coachella

Valley (CA)• Good site has sustained wind velocity of 5 m/sec• Wind velocity increases over hilltops and

through mountain passes• Where land is unavailable, turbines can be sited

offshore

Is it available in our community?• On the individual level:– Bethlehem and Lebanon Townships are

drafting ordinances to regulate individually-owned wind turbines

– Wind energy had been added to the list of things with “inherently beneficial use” along with hospitals, schools, etc

Is it available in our state?• New Jersey’s goal = generate 200MW from

wind turbines by 2020 (currently 3MW)• In 2008 Corzine drafted energy plan that

would provide for 1000MW of offshore wind by 2020 as well as a wind farm that would be operable by 2013

What is the cost?• 1 state-of-the-art commercial turbine totals about

$700,000 (including installation) and generates enough energy for 200 homes

• Smaller turbines (under 100KW) cost around $3000-$5000 per kilowatt of capacity

• As more efficient turbines are being developed, the price is steadily decreasing

• Wind energy costs about 4 cents/kWh – competitive with natural gas/coal

• Using wind energy lowers monthly utility costs by about $8-$15, and about $96-$180 per year

How this source is provided to consumers• This source is provided by wind farms. You

would buy your energy from them.• You can also purchase your own wind

turbine that would provide energy to a generator that you would also purchase. This is another method to use wind energy and run your house that way as well.

How wind energy gets to your house• When the turbines are spun by the wind,

and capture the kinetic energy. This turns a shaft inside the generator that the turbine is linked to.

• This powers the generator, which in turn is connected to your house from a wind farm or your own personal generator.

How wind energy effects transportation• Wind energy effects transportation by

providing electricity for new up and coming electric cars.

Does it pollute?• The only pollution it gives off is noise

pollution. This also depends on how fast the wind is blowing in which it may not produce any noise pollution.

• The only other form of pollution that it has is the pollution it takes to put in the wind farm. This is also minimal.

• In general this is a very eco friendly energy source.

Is wind energy easy to assimilate into our lives?

• Yes it is very easy to assimilate into our lives.

• The wind energy comes in from wind farms like any other electrical power plant.

• With a personal turbine it is very easy to assimilate just like putting solar panels on a roof.

Can it work well with other forms of energy.

• Wind energy can work well with other forms of energy.

• A personal turbine would be the equivalent of putting a few solar panels on your roof.