2hrly gs ch p wind energy
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
WIND ENERGY
Wind Energy
A wind farm requires roughly 17 acres of land to produce 1 megawatt of electricity.
Wind Turbine Basics
• Wind power is the fastest-growing source of renewable energy
• Basic principle is the conversion of the kinetic energy of moving air into electrical energy
• Use large, specially shaped blades to "catch" moving air
• The wind causes the blades to rotate• Their motion spins an attached electrical
generator, producing electricity
Cont…
• the faster the wind is blowing• the more energy is transferred to the
blades• and generator and converted into electrical
power
TYPES
Types
• Horizontal wind turbine
• Vertical wind turbine
Types: horizontal
• the blades rotate on an axis that is parallel to the ground
• fixed at the top of a support tower• three-blade design seen at large-scale
wind farms uses the horizontal-axis design
Types: Vertical
• Vertical-axis turbines fix the blades to the sides of a pole running perpendicular to the ground
• with the electrical generator placed at the support base
• The blades can be placed at any desired height on the pole
CAPACITY
Capacity
• A single wind turbine can be small enough to provide partial power to a single home
• large enough to power a small town • The larger the rotor, the more wind• and therefore energy is captured by the
assembly• residential turbines are rated for a
maximum capacity below 30 kilowatts• the largest turbines can generate almost
five megawatts
PROS & CONS
Pros:
• do not require the burning of fuel to operate and generate
• Landowners can also receive rent payments
• this can prove to be a valuable year-round supplement to a farmer's income
• excess power can also sell to the power company.
Cons:
• an inadequate energy source to fulfill requirements
• Residents may be bothered by turbines' noise
• horizontal-axis rotating blades pose an inherent threat to birds
ARTICLE
How to choose a wind turbine
Introduction
• Wind is an enormously potent source of clean energy
• the wind resources in the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains regions
• potentially meet up to 25 percent of the power needs of state
• Wind turbines aren't just for farmers • a home wind energy system can be
relatively unobtrusive
STEP 1:
• to ensure you're allowed to install a wind turbine on your property.
• Be sure to get a full rundown on height restrictions.
• make sure you check with your homeowners association to avoid complaints from your neighbors
STEP 2:
• Conduct an energy audit of your house • as well as where your home may be
wasting energy• Add up the watts you use for all your
energy needs on a monthly basis• consider whether you're over-consuming
energy by using brighter light bulbs, an old heating system or a higher thermostat setting than necessary, for instance.
STEP 3:
• Reducing your consumption may allow you to install a less expensive and smaller wind energy system.
STEP 4
• Decide where you'll install your turbine and how it will be mounted
• Avoid placing the turbine on your rooftop• Determine the typical direction of wind at
your location• and locate a spot upwind from buildings and
trees to ensure maximum wind flow• Your turbine will also need to be at least 30
feet above any wind barriers sitting within 300 feet
• These location specifics will help to determine the size of your turbine.
STEP 5
• Contact a nearby airport, weather station or university to learn the average wind speed in your area
• Keep in mind that wind speed increases with the height of the tower as well
• consider whether wind may slow or speed up in your specific location
• AEO = 0.01328 x D [to the second power] x V [to the third power],
• Complete this equation for several rotor sizes to determine which may work best.
STEP 6
• Ask the dealer to calculate how each model would perform in your specific location
• confirm they have at least a five-year warranty and strong testimonials
• Also, make sure they come with all necessary component parts
• so they'll be ready to install and use.