Wind EnergyBy Jon Clemente, Ray Sites, Kathryn Roshong

Overview

Our group is going to talk about the following topics: What is Wind Energy Types of Wind Turbines Advantages Disadvantages Is Wind Power Truly Sustainable Lifespan of New Wind Farms

What is Wind Energy?

Differential heating of the Earth’s surface and atmosphere causes vertical/horizontal air currents known as WIND.

What is Wind Energy?

A wind turbine then produces electricity by converting the force of the wind ultimately charging a generator through the rotation of the wind turbine’s rotor blades.

Wind Turbines

Further explanation of wind turbines: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsZITSeQFR0

Different Types of Wind Turbines

Windmills If the mechanical energy is used directly by

machinery, such as a pump or grinding stones, the machine is usually called a windmill.

Different Types of Wind Turbines

Wind Turbines If the mechanical energy is then converted to

electricity, the machine is called a wind generator.

General Types of Wind Turbines

Vertical Axis Wind Turbine – Uncommon

Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine – More Common

Advantages of Wind Energy

Wind blows day and night, which gives wind turbines the ability to produce electricity at all hours of the day.

Wind energy is a domestic source of energy, produced in the United States and the nation’s wind supply is abundant.

Clean Wind energy is a renewable source of energy that

generates no pollution. Unlike: fossil fuels such coal/natural gas Does not produce atmospheric emissions that cause acid

rain or greenhouse gasses.

Advantages of Wind Energy

Cheaper Wind energy is one of the lowest-prices renewable

energy technologies available today, costing between 4 and 6 cents per KWH

As of 2013, farmers who host wind turbines are typically paid at least $10,000 per turbine per year by companies that run wind farms.

Farmers can also still continue to use the land due to the turbines only taking up a fraction of the land

Disadvantages of Wind Energy

Efficiency of a wind turbine depends on the wind speed.

Noise Problems Some people find it annoying, and if it is close to a house,

it may stop some people from sleeping and lead on to anxiety and stress for some individuals which could lead to health issues.

Power Availability and Transmission Problems Requires very expensive high capacity, high voltage,

transmission lines.

Even though the cost of wind power has decreased dramatically in the past 10 years, the technology requires a higher initial investment than fossil-fueled generators

Disadvantages of Wind Energy

Invasion of Space Some people move to country areas because of the

relatively undeveloped feel of the place and they typically do not appreciate the construction of wind turbines.

Environmental Problems Wind turbines kill birds and bats Destruction of native vegetation Erosion problems Fires in wind turbines, while very rare, are extremely

difficult to fight

Is Wind Energy Truly Sustainable?

Yes All you need is wind!

There is no use for any fossil fuels to power a wind turbine.

Lifespan of New Wind Farms

Industry predictions 20-25 years

Actual findings No more than 12-15 years

The machinery needs to be replaced; there is wear and tear of the turbines over time.

Works Cited

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/wind/wind_ad.html

http://www.teachergeek.org/wind_turbine_types.pdf

http://ramblingsdc.net/Australia/WindProblems.html

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/scotland/wind-turbines-lifespan-far-shorter-than-believed-study-suggests-1.62945