Wind PowerTJ and Paige

How Does It Work? http://energy.gov/

eere/wind/how-does-wind-turbine-work

The propeller blades of the wind turbine capture the wind’s kinetic energy.

The propeller blades connect to the rotor on the wind turbine.

The rotor is also connected to the main shaft of the turbine.

The main shaft of the wind turbine drives the generator.

The generator then produces electricity.

Parts of the Wind Turbine

Blades- capture the wind’s energy.

Nacelle- Houses the gear box and generator.

Gear Box-connects the low speed shaft to the high speed shaft.

Generator-produces electricity. Rotor- holds the blades and hub

together. Anemometer-measures the wind

speed. Main Shaft-drives the generator. Wind Vane- measures wind

direction. http://energy.gov/eere/wind/inside

-wind-turbine-0

Energy Efficiency Ratio In an ideal area, a

wind turbine can run at 30% efficiency.

The energy efficiency ratio of Wind Power is 1:5

The turbines yield 5 kilocalories of electrical energy.

http://www.geotimes.org/aug05/feature_pimental.html

Where Would It Be Used? Texas uses more than

30% of wind energy production in the United States.

This map shows the highly windy areas where wind power is most used.

http://www.windsolarenergy.org/images/avgwindmapcolor.jpg

Problems of Use Wind fluctuates and does not give the

constant same amount of energy (Can’t be mitigated because it’s a natural occurrence)

The manufacturing and installation of wind turbines make expensive investments. (Can be mitigated with tax payments and government subsidies)

Wind turbines threaten birds and bats flight pathways because of their height above ground. (Can be mitigated if wind turbines are installed lower and closer to the ground)

Wind Power has a low net energy. (Can’t be mitigated because it takes more energy to install and generate wind power than can be produced and consumed)

http://energy.gov/eere/wind/advantages-and-challenges-wind-energy

Wind Power vs. Fossil Fuels

Wind Power More expensive

(Disadvantage) Lower net energy

(Disadvantage) More environmentally

sustainable (Advantage) Renewable (Advantage)

Fossil Fuels Less expensive (Advantage) Higher net energy

(Advantage) Greenhouse gas emissions;

less environmentally sustainable (Disadvantage)

Non-renewable (Disadvantage)

http://energy.gov/eere/wind/advantages-and-challenges-wind-energy