Wind and StorageAndrew Gonzalez: Bearden High School

Christina Cox: North Carolina State University

Overview

Basis

Today’s Grid

Problems/Solutions

Future Applications

How It Works

Today’s Grid Storage

The largest machine in the world

2.3% of U.S. total production capacity (24.6GW)

Today’s Grid With WindWind currently

accounts for 5.7% of electricity generated.

Wind power comprised 43% of all new U.S. electric capacity additions in 2012

Wind power is currently the fastest-growing source of electricity production in the world.

Wind Power Problems

Wind speed is not constant

Transmission distance

Birds

Wind Power Benefits

No fuel cost

Operating costs are minimal (mostly maintenance)

Zero air emissions.

Storage ProblemsFour challenges to widespread storage:

1. cost competitive 2. reliability

3. simple integration4. safety

The batteries cannot take the unsettled power outputs and consumer demands.

Storage Benefits Stored energy increases the economic value of wind energy.

Remote energy storage at wind would compensate for gaps in supply.

What can change?Jeff Gates, “The perception is that this stuff isn’t real.. A whole generation of utilities people have grown up with the notion that it’s not reliable, too expensive and it’s 20 years away.”

Bloomberg Future of Energy Summit (April 9, 2014)

A Smart Grid System

Future Wind Power

Airborne Wind Turbines

Makani

Altaeros

Wind Harvester

Wind Lens

Eco Whisper Turbine

Vertical Axis Turbines

Windspire

Eddy Turbine

Manmade Island Wind Battery Concept

Makani Wind Turbines

Altitude of 1,000 feet

85% can have access to wind energy as opposed to 15%

Can fly out and quadruple the US’s total wind capacity

Altaeros Wind Turbines

Harnesses High-altitude winds

Reduces energy costs by up to 65%

Helium filled balloons with a turbine in the center

Wind HarvesterCopies motion that uses horizontal aerofoils similar to those used on aeroplanes.

Noise free electric power generation

Can also operate at higher speeds

Wind LensesJapanese turbines that are 3 times as efficient

Claimed to be cheaper than Nuclear energy

Vertical Axis Turbines

30 feet tall and 4 feet wide

6Db above ambient

Produces 1.2kW (~2000kWh at 11 mph wind average)

Eddy TurbineCan withstand 120 mph

Cut-in wind speed of 3.5 m/s; Cut-out of 30 m/s

Generates 600 watts

Eco Whisper Turbine

Virtually Silent

20kW generation capacity

Allegedly, more efficient

Manmade Island Wind Battery

ConceptThe wind power generated by the turbines pumps water into the island and uses gravity to push the water out when energy is needed.

Necessity of Smart Grid

Wind power integration StorageTransmission

Maintain the grid voltageReliability

Green Energy Fossil fuels

Conclusions

Wind Power

Two Main Issues

Benefits

Future technology

Smart Grid Solutions

Bibliography"Interesting Wind Energy Facts | Wind Energy Foundation." Interesting Wind Energy Facts | Wind Energy Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2014.

Field, Jason P. "Interactive Effects of Grazing and Burning on Wind- and Water-driven Sediment Fluxes: Rangeland Management Implications." Ecological Applications 21.1 (2011): 22-32. Web. 16 June 2014.

"The Future of Wind Power: 9 Cool Innovations." TreeHugger. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2014.

"Smart Grid Energy Storage." Grid Energy Power Storage. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2014.

"CleanTechnica." CleanTechnica. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2014.

"How Wind Energy Works | UCSUSA." Union of Concerned Scientists. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2014.

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