WIND POWER

1. WIND POWER Period 5 – April, Vance, Justin, David

2. HISTORY OF WIND POWER • Man has been using this method for at least 5,500 years now. Professor James Blyth started wind power experiments in a UK patent in 1891. In the US Charles F. Brush produced electricity using wind powered machines in 1887-1888, thus powering his home and laboratory until 1900. In 1890s Danish scientist, Poul la Cour constructed wind turbines to generate electricity, which were then used to produce hydrogen. Throughout USSR in 1931, smaller turbines were being distributed around several locations to create larger experimental amounts. Then in 1941, Vermont, a 1.25 megawatt experimental unit was created. In 1970s US industries teamed up with NASA to research more on wind turbines. 20-30kW was the first of the major capacity turbines. Then larger versions called the E-126 were capable of producing 7MW. These became well known turbines. All these products were produced in Danish manufacturers. 

3. James Blyth Turbine

4. WIND POWER USES • We use wind power for irrigating water from underground water ways, producing electricity, drainage, and powering sails on sailboats. How we use this power is pumping water, generating electricity, and propelling ships across the sea. How it is used around the world is for the same reasons. For heating homes, powering a light bulb, and pushing ships across vast oceans to find new lands. Most of the turbines are built near coasts and great planes, turbines being faced in many directions because the wind is strong but can come from any direction. Only useful in windy areas. Not useful in standstill aired areas where the wind only blows on average 10mph. Useful areas are coastlines and great planes on high ridges where the wind pushes itself along the hills and lower mountains. Useless areas are inland where the wind doesn’t howl at all. Yes this method is used to produce electricity and other resources. The electricity that it creates can help heat houses. This method is able to move water and boats along water. It has been tested to moves cars but the man behind the idea has only made 5 of them and won’t sell his idea to big dealerships. But the average cost of making one of these is around 1.5 million dollars and his price on selling one is about 2million dollars. Windmills are used for mechanical power, powering certain appliances in workshops. 

5. Changes In Functions • -The first windmills were used for grain-grinding and water pumping.-Earliest known design of a windmill is the vertical axis system developed in Persia (500-900 A.D.)-It took hundreds of years before the Europeans improved the design by making it more efficient.-In the United States, up until 1970, the primary use was water-pumping and the main applications were stock watering and farm home water needs.-Today, windmills are mainly used to produce electricity.-The first use of a large windmill to generate electricity was a system built in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1888 by Charles F. Brush (pictured)

6. Expenses of Energy • -Wind energy is the cheapest form of new electricity generation available today. - -Wind power is more expensive than power from old, established power plants, but is cost competitive with any new power plant.-The cost of wind power has been greatly reduced over the last 20 years due to technological innovations.-In the 1980’s, when the first commercial-scale wind turbines were installed, wind generated electricity cost up to 30 cents per kilowatt-hour. Today, wind power plants can generate electricity for less than 5 cents per kilowatt-hour.-This price is competitive with new coal- or gas-fired power plants.-The true cost of wind power is very hard to determine because there are many factors involved-Location, ownership, cost of financing, construction contracts, and the type of the machine.-Commercial scale wind turbines cost around 1.5 million dollars.-Wind turbines under 100 kilowatts cost roughly $3,000 to $5,000 per kilowatt of capacity. That means a 10 kilowatt machine (the size needed to power an average home) might cost $35,000-$50,000. -Cost of Maintenance is the sum of many different factors such as:-Insurance, land rent, administration, service and spare parts and other additional costs.-All of these different factors make determining the cost of maintenance very difficult.

7. Energy Efficiency • -Unlike other energy sources wind energy generates electricity straight from its source of fuel.-Wind power is the fastest- growing renewable energy source. -It can generate electricity any time, day or night, as long as there is wind present.-Geothermal plants require places near plate tectonic boundaries which could be harder to locate than windy areas. -Doesn’t emit greenhouse gases-The energy cost during manufacture can be made up within 4-5 months of production. -Has the capacity of 2.5% of worldwide electricity use. -Turbines usually operate 75-90% of the time, but not always at full capacity.- Current technology and sites could provide 20% of the global power supply by. 

8. Locations • Palm Springs • The best places for wind farms are located in coastal areas. -Places where the wind is stable and strong like at the tops of rounded hills, open plains, gaps in mountains, or offshore. -To be worth the expenses, they need to get an average wind speed of 25 km/h. -Isolated places, such as farms, have their own wind generators and can supply electricity to nearby homes and buildings. -Ex) “wind farms” in California supply electricity to homes in L.A.- Wind generators produce 2% of California’s power. -Most wind farms in the UK are in Cornwall or Wales. These places are consistent with the ability of high-grade wind resource.

9. Positive Effects • http://www.slideshare.net/windturbinesnet/comparing-wind-power-and-other-renewable-energy-sources-7145065 • -Pollution free-Has little impact on agriculture or livestock grazing because it only takes up a small portion of the geographic area. -Preserves resources that could be destroyed through other methods of extraction of energy. -Produces no emissions that could contribute to mercury contamination. -Preserves open space because large buildings cannot be built near wind turbines. 

10. Negative Effects • Can’t produce same amount of energy at all times • The building of the turbines causes pollution • Takes a huge wind farm to produce for a community • Largest possible turbine can only support 475 homes • Can’t always be relied on • Usually takes away beautiful, open spaces (Palm Springs) • Turbines are annoying and noisy

11. Future Plans • “Solar Wind Power”

12. South Korea Off-Shore Wind Farm • 10 years, 3.8 billion

13. A Lake Erie Wind Farm? • Will provide 1 gigawatt power by 2020

14. WHY? • Wind power is simply the best form on alternative energy. It contributes very little pollution, is cheap to set up and use, and can be useful at all parts of the day/night. The technology is still growing, and it is only going to get more productive and affordable.

15. Bibliography • Wind power - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.Retrieved November 27, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power • Is Wind Energy Expensive? | Windustry. (n.d.). Community Wind — Ready to Deliver | Windustry. Retrieved November 27, 2011, fromhttp://www.windustry.org/is-wind-energy-expensive. • Operation and maintenance costs of wind generated power. (n.d.). Wind Energy: The Facts. Retrieved November 27, 2011, from www.wind-energy-the-facts.org/en/part-3-economics-of-wind-power/chapter-1-cost-of-on-land-wind-power/operation-and-maintenance-costs-of-wind-generated-power.html • Wind Power - Converting wind energy into electricity. (n.d.). Alternative Energy News. Retrieved November 27, 2011, from http://www.alternative-energynews.info/technology/wind-power/ • Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Power. (n.d.). A Design and Technology Site. Retrieved November 27, 2011, from http://www.technologystudent.com/energy • Energy Resources: Wind power. (n.d.). Andy Darvill's Science site: Home. Retrieved November 27, 2011, from http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg