Wind Energy Kerri Denkenberger Oct. 27, 2006. Typical Wind Turbine Height similar.

Wind EnergyWind Energy

Kerri DenkenbergerKerri Denkenberger

Oct. 27, 2006Oct. 27, 2006

Typical Wind TurbineTypical Wind Turbine

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable/wind.html

• Height similar to 20-story building

• 3 blades: 200 feet across

• Produces 1.4-4.0 kWh/year (power 150-400 homes)

Wind FarmsWind Farms Most wind farms are owned and Most wind farms are owned and

operated by individuals who sell operated by individuals who sell the electricity to utility companies.the electricity to utility companies.

Good sites:Good sites:– Tops of smooth, rounded hillsTops of smooth, rounded hills– Open plains or shorelinesOpen plains or shorelines– Mountain gaps that produce wind funnelingMountain gaps that produce wind funneling

1% of land used for wind turbines and roads – 99% can 1% of land used for wind turbines and roads – 99% can be used for crops be used for crops (assuming 300m diameter and 1 km (assuming 300m diameter and 1 km spacing)spacing)

Wind speed varies by seasonWind speed varies by season

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable/wind.htmlPersonal communication. David Denkenberger, CU-Boulder.

Offshore Wind PowerOffshore Wind Power

1. Archer, C., Jacobson, M. Journal of Geophysical Research. 110 (2005) D12110. 2. Sahin, A.D. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science 30 (2004) 501-543. 3. www.capewind.org

- ~90% greater wind speeds offshore compared to over ~90% greater wind speeds offshore compared to over landland- Beneficial for small highly populated countriesBeneficial for small highly populated countries- Cape Cod, 1Cape Cod, 1stst US offshore wind farm (proposed) US offshore wind farm (proposed)

6.0 miles offshore simulation

13.8 miles offshore simulation

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_potential.html

US Annual Wind Resource PotentialUS Annual Wind Resource Potential

Archer, C. and Jacobson, M. Journal of Geophysical Research. 110 (2005) D12110.

Global Energy DemandGlobal Energy Demand

Archer, C. and Jacobson, M. Journal of Geophysical Research. 110 (2005) D12110.Archer, C. and Jacobson, M. Journal of Geophysical Research. 110 (2005) D12110.

Calculations by Archer & Jacobson:Calculations by Archer & Jacobson:

– Considering locations (globally) with mean Considering locations (globally) with mean annual wind speeds annual wind speeds >> 6.9 m/s at 80m 6.9 m/s at 80m

– If If ~20%~20% of this power were captured, it could of this power were captured, it could satisfy satisfy 100% of the world’s energy 100% of the world’s energy demanddemand for all purposes and for all purposes and 7x the world’s 7x the world’s electricity needselectricity needs..

Current UseCurrent UseUS:US: Electricity from wind sources increased by 255% from Electricity from wind sources increased by 255% from

1998 to 2003 (fastest growing)1998 to 2003 (fastest growing) 2003: 0.3% of total US electricity generation2003: 0.3% of total US electricity generation

Globally:Globally: 2004: 0.54% of the world’s electric power2004: 0.54% of the world’s electric power 2004: 20% of Denmark’s electric power; 6% of 2004: 20% of Denmark’s electric power; 6% of

Germany’s powerGermany’s power

F.C. Menz, S. Vachon. Energy Policy 34 (2006) 1786-1796.

Archer, C. and Jacobson, M. Journal of Geophysical Research. 110 (2005) D12110.Archer, C. and Jacobson, M. Journal of Geophysical Research. 110 (2005) D12110.

U.S. Electricity Generation by Energy Source, U.S. Electricity Generation by Energy Source, 20042004

http://www.eia.doe.gov/neic/brochure/renew05/renewable.html

Global Wind Power Capacity (2004)Global Wind Power Capacity (2004)

Sahin, A.D. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science 30 (2004) 501-543.

Stand-alone Hybrid SystemsStand-alone Hybrid Systems

Combines wind generator with solar panels Combines wind generator with solar panels and battery or fuel celland battery or fuel cell

Can also integrate a fossil-fuel-powered Can also integrate a fossil-fuel-powered generatorgenerator

Used for off-the-grid electricity needsUsed for off-the-grid electricity needs Further development is necessaryFurther development is necessary

Ntziachristos et al. Renewable Energy 30 (2005) 1471-1587.Sahin, A.D. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science 30 (2004) 501-543.http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_consumer_faqs.html

Application: Seawater desalinationApplication: Seawater desalination

Reverse Osmosis – must also be connected to Reverse Osmosis – must also be connected to the gridthe grid

Mechanic vapor compression - consumes more Mechanic vapor compression - consumes more energy – however, fewer problems due to energy – however, fewer problems due to fluctuations in energy and fewer skilled workers fluctuations in energy and fewer skilled workers and chemicals neededand chemicals needed

Suitable for remote areas (developing island Suitable for remote areas (developing island countries)countries)

Further development is necessaryFurther development is necessary

Sahin, A.D. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science 30 (2004) 501-543.

Wind Power AdvantagesWind Power Advantages

Clean fuel – no atmospheric emissionsClean fuel – no atmospheric emissions SustainableSustainable Benefits the economy in rural areas Benefits the economy in rural areas Provides energy for locations that are not Provides energy for locations that are not

connected to the grid (i.e. remote locations, connected to the grid (i.e. remote locations, developing countries)developing countries)

Lower delivered cost than any other new non-Lower delivered cost than any other new non-hydroelectric renewable resourcehydroelectric renewable resource

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_ad.htmlhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_consumer_faqs.htmlF.C. Menz, S. Vachon. Energy Policy 34 (2006) 1786-1796.

Wind Power DisadvantagesWind Power Disadvantages

Higher initial investment than fossil-fueled Higher initial investment than fossil-fueled generators (75-90% of total long-term cost)generators (75-90% of total long-term cost)

Intermittent source of power (unless batteries or Intermittent source of power (unless batteries or fuel cells are used)fuel cells are used)

Wind sites are often far from citiesWind sites are often far from cities Mortality on wild bird populationsMortality on wild bird populations Visual impact on landscapeVisual impact on landscape

Sahin, A.D. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science 30 (2004) 501-543.http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_ad.html

Overall Cost ComparisonOverall Cost Comparison

Becoming more Becoming more affordable: Costs affordable: Costs reduced by 20% reduced by 20% from 1999-2004.from 1999-2004.

Doesn’t consider Doesn’t consider ‘social costs’ to ‘social costs’ to human health & human health & environment of environment of nuclear/coal/gasnuclear/coal/gas

Sahin, A.D. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science 30 (2004) 501-543.