1. How does a wind turbine produce electricity? 2. How would you compare the production of wind power in the U.S. to other countries of the world? 3. What are the environmental impacts of wind power?
Dec 18, 2015
1. How does a wind turbine produce electricity?
2. How would you compare the production of wind power in the U.S. to other countries of the world?
3. What are the environmental impacts of wind power?
4. How does the carbon footprint of wind energy compare to your form of power?
The History of Wind PowerPower Sailing Ships Windmills Wind
Turbines
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form, such as electricity, using wind turbines (Wikipedia)
Why Wind Power?
Clean Energy- a great alternative to fossil fuels
Non-Polluting Energy- does not produce any greenhouse effect gases
Renewable Resource
How does a wind turbine create electricity?
Blades collect the wind’s kinetic energy
Blades turn the drive shaft
The drive shaft turns the magnet in the generator
The magnet turning inside the coil of copper wires creates a magnetic field and electricity is generated.
The Physics of Wind PowerEnergy utilized is the kinetic energy of the windHydroelectric potential energy = mghPotential kinetic energy of the wind = ½ m
V(sq)C= ½ x d x pi
Energy = C x Lb² x V³Energy is dependent on the velocity to the power of 3 (V x V x V). If the wind speed doubles, the power increases by a
factor of eight. If you increase the length of the blades ( Lb ) by two,
the power increases by 4.
Which Countries Use Wind Power?
April 2009 total installed wind capacity:
1. United States2. Germany3. Spain4. China5. India
Lagging behind other countries in wind as a percentage of electricity consumption
1. Denmark (20%)2. Spain (13%)3. Portugal (11%)12. United States (< 2%)
Wind Power in the U.S. is on the Rise
2007 – Use increased 45%
2008 – 1% of energy consumption
2009 - <2% of energy consumption
2030 – Goal is 20% of electric demand
Wind Power in MassachusettsBest Locations
Northern part of Cape Cod
Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket
Sections of the Berkshires
Wind Energy Predevelopment Support Program
Why Wind Power is on the RiseDeclining production costsUncertainty with fuel
pricesEnergy securitySupportive federal and
state policiesEnvironmentally friendlyPublic supportGreen powerCarbon footprint
Issues for Wind PowerPolitical uncertainty
Changing rules and regulations
Operational impacts
Accounting for non-monetary value
What are the Environmental Impacts of Wind Power?
Noise
Visual Impact
Bird and Other Wildlife Mortality
Electromagnetic Interference
Noise ImpactConcerns:• Mechanical Noise: produced by the
gearbox and generator
• Aerodynamic Noise: produced by wind
turbine blades
Solutions:• Reduce rotation speed
of turbines in lower winds
• Proper siting
• Insulating materials
Visual ImpactConcerns:• Highly visible
• Destroying landscapes
Solutions:• Proper siting
• Multiple locations
Bird and Other Wildlife ImpactConcerns:• Bird and bat fatalities due
collision or electrocution
• Fragmenting their habitats
Solutions:• Monitoring efforts
• Carefully selecting sites
Electromagnetic ImpactConcerns:• Interfere with radar
and telecommunication facilities
• Like all electrical generating systems, turbines produce electric and magnetic fields
Solutions:• Proper siting
• Monitoring effects
Carbon Footprint of Wind Power A carbon footprint is "the
total set of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product" (UK Carbon Trust 2008).
Use of wind turbines is the most effective way to cut a household’s carbon footprint in half
Emits no carbon during operation, but do leave a minor footprint during construction phase
Wind Power is one of the cleanest forms of renewable energy