That’s the Way the Wind Blows

By: Grace Frank,

Laura Kaiser,

Jamie Vaughan

Background

The first windmills were developed to help grain-grinding and water pumping(500 A.D.)

Charles F. Brush- Cleveland, Ohio Dane Poul La Cour

How it works

Individual turbines connected to a medium voltage and communications center

Medium voltage is increased to high voltage through a transformerTransformer- transfers electrical current from one

circuit to another

Where wind farms are now

California Ireland Denmark Germany Sweden

Location

Most wind farms are located near bodies of water where winds are stronger

United States has planned to construct a wind farm on Cape Cod

Also in California

Europe Denmark- 50% of energy will come from wind

farms by 2030 Germany- the biggest wind turbine to be

established offshore, and the largest number of wind farms in the world

United Kingdom-target for 10% of domestic energy consumption to be generated from renewable sources by the year 2010

Europe Wind Farms

Advantages

Wind is free and renewable Cleans greenhouse emissions Produces electricity Quiet Emission free Reduces the U.S.’s reliance on foreign oil

Disadvantages

Expensive to build Take up a lot of space Eye-sore Kills birds Obstructs nature

Costs

wind power development costs around $1 million per megawatt

Assuming the average wind turbine is rated at 750 kilowatts (kW) in capacity, this means the installation of at least 26 turbines and an initial investment of $20 million dollars.

In Conclusion

U.S. facing major energy crisis Alternative energy sources necessary Although some argue that it is expensive and

obtrusive, overall its benefits outweigh its disadvantages

Despite its unattractive appearance, isn’t it better than smog?

In Conclusion