2. History Wind energy is one of the three main types of renewable energy. This type of energy has been used for a long time now even if people havn’t known it. For example: It’s been propelling boats for as long as we’ve had them. Windmills take on different tasks like grinding grain in Persia and just pumping water in China. Wind energy played a huge role in where people in later years got their energy. People continued finding knew ways of using wind energy from being able to sail boats, to pumping water, to food production. Larger windmills that produce electricity are known as wind turbines. Although windmills have been through many different processes and can be used for many different things, food production now is the main reason why people use windmills.
3. History (Con.) One of the oldest wind turbines is back to 200 BC in Persia Have been used to create electricity for over 100 years Wind turbines use kinetic energy from the wind and turn it into mechanic power or electricity Propelling boats along rivers China used to pump water Persia used to grind grain Food production Draining lakes and marshes Pump water to farms and ranches Generate electricity for homes
4. How its done A wind turbine is a machine that works just like a windmill, the major difference is, that the wind turbine converts the energy of wind into kinetic energy. More specifically the mechanical energy is converted into electricity. Now there are 2 different types of wind turbines. Horizontal and vertical axis The horizontal axis turbines have a main rotor shaft and electrical generator at the top of the tower which must be pointed at the wind. Within the horizontal axis type there are subtypes such as: 12th century windmills, 19th century windmills, modern wind turbine, modern wind turbines.
5. How its done (Con.) The vertical axis turbines have the rotor shaft organized vertically. There are three subtypes within vertical axis: Darrieus, Giromill, and Savonius. Horizontal axis turbines are better because you can adjust the angles where I collects wind, its highly efficient, and the tall tower base allows access to stronger wind sites with wind shear. However, Vertical axis turbines are better because they don’t need to be pointed at the wind to be effective like the horizontal axis and they can be put lower to the ground.
6. Locations! Reasons for placing wind turbines The placement of wind turbines utterly depends upon whether the location can constantly produce wind speeds of at least 11 to 13 mph. Usually places of high elevation are suitable but they shouldn’t be placed near hampering objects like mountains, trees, fences, building etc. Even though wind direction is a frequently changing occurrence, there is always a prevailing direction in which the wind turbine should be facing. On top of all the wind requirements for a wind turbine there are the more obvious requirements such as environmental assessments, the effects on the surrounding wildlife for instance, if the wind turbines posed a physical danger to nearby species.
7. Locations (Con.) Locations North America Canada WindShareLagerwey 750, Toronto, Ontario, 2004. Huron wind V80s, Bruce Nuclear Plant, Ontario, 2004. Bonus 120, Pincher Creek, Alberta, early 1990s. Vestas V47, Port Albert, Ontario, 2004. Kenetech KVS33, Cowley Ridge, Alberta, early 1990s. Tacke 600 kW, Bruce Nuclear Plant, Ontario, early 1990s. Atlantic Wind Test Site, North Cape, Prince Edward Island, 2004. Sky Generation V80, Ferndale, Ontario, 2004 United States NEG-Micon, Ponnequin, Colorado, late 1990s. Bendix-Schacle turbine, Moses Lake, Washington, early 1980s. Dan Juhl's V44s, Woodstock, Minnesota, 1999. Mitsubishi 1 MW, White Deer, Texas, 2004. WEG MS2, Altamont Pass, California, late 1980s. Vestas V80, Solano County, California, 2003. Zond 750, Buffalo Ridge, Minnesota, 1999. Schafer System's V27, Adair, Iowa, 1999. Storm Master 40 kW, Tehachapi Pass, California, 1984. Windmatic 14S, Altamont Pass, California, late 1980s. - Europe Denmark France Germany The Netherlands Spain Asia-Pacific India New Zealand
8. Pros and Cons Benefits: (source: American Wind Energy Association) How the wind energy benefits the environment ·Wind energy is a transformed form of solar energy, which makes it a permanent and efficient energy. ·It can be used for many purposes, for example agriculture. ·Wind energy does not waste natural resources, such as oil, coal, gas and water. ·Using more wind energy can help prevent global warming by cutting down carbon dioxide. ·Wind farms occupy small areas in the countryside. ·Wind energy can supply twenty percent of the nation’s electricity in the U.S. And it can be applied worldwide. · Best of all, wind stimulates the economy without causing pollution. It depends on a free fuel source—the wind—and so it is not relative to inflation. ·Can easily improve life quality in developing countries.
9. Pros and Cons (Con.) Drawbacks: ·Wind energy is not dependable due to geographical and geological factors. ·It costs a lot to establish wind farms along the coasts where there are constant winds. ·Wind farms effect the beauty of the environment. Such as the diminishing of sunlight for the residents.(shadow) ·Wind turbines interfere with television and radio signals. ·Wind turbines kill birds. ·Causes noise pollution. (Source: www.alternative-energy-resources.net)