1. How does a wind turbine produce electricity?

2. How would you compare the production of wind power in the U.S. to other countries of the world?

3. What are the environmental impacts of wind power?

4. How does the carbon footprint of wind energy compare to your form of power?

By Heather Gorman, Joan Lowry, and By Heather Gorman, Joan Lowry, and Erica SimonsErica Simons

The History of Wind PowerPower Sailing Ships Windmills Wind

Turbines

Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form, such as electricity, using wind turbines (Wikipedia)

What Causes Wind?Uneven heating of the earth’s surfaceWind blows because the sun shines

Why Wind Power?

Clean Energy- a great alternative to fossil fuels

Non-Polluting Energy- does not produce any greenhouse effect gases

Renewable Resource

How does a wind turbine create electricity?

Blades collect the wind’s kinetic energy

Blades turn the drive shaft

The drive shaft turns the magnet in the generator

The magnet turning inside the coil of copper wires creates a magnetic field and electricity is generated.

•Altitude

Factors that Affect Wind PowerOpen areas with no windbreaks

Factors that Affect Wind PowerSeason

The Physics of Wind PowerEnergy utilized is the kinetic energy of the windHydroelectric potential energy = mghPotential kinetic energy of the wind = ½ m

V(sq)C= ½ x d x pi

Energy = C x  Lb² x V³Energy is dependent on the velocity  to  the power of  3 (V x V x V). If the wind speed doubles, the power increases by a

factor of eight.  If you increase the length of the  blades ( Lb ) by two,

the power increases by 4.

Which Countries Use Wind Power?

April 2009 total installed wind capacity:

1. United States2. Germany3. Spain4. China5. India

Lagging behind other countries in wind as a percentage of electricity consumption

1. Denmark (20%)2. Spain (13%)3. Portugal (11%)12. United States (< 2%)

Wind Power in the U.S. is on the Rise

2007 – Use increased 45%

2008 – 1% of energy consumption

2009 - <2% of energy consumption

2030 – Goal is 20% of electric demand

Where is Wind Power in the U.S.?

Texas

California

Minnesota

Iowa

Washington

1999 – 2009 Wind Power Capacity in the U.S.

Wind Power in MassachusettsBest Locations

Northern part of Cape Cod

Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket

Sections of the Berkshires

Wind Energy Predevelopment Support Program

Why Wind Power is on the RiseDeclining production costsUncertainty with fuel

pricesEnergy securitySupportive federal and

state policiesEnvironmentally friendlyPublic supportGreen powerCarbon footprint

Issues for Wind PowerPolitical uncertainty

Changing rules and regulations

Operational impacts

Accounting for non-monetary value

What are the Environmental Impacts of Wind Power?

Noise

Visual Impact

Bird and Other Wildlife Mortality

Electromagnetic Interference

Noise ImpactConcerns:• Mechanical Noise: produced by the

gearbox and generator

• Aerodynamic Noise: produced by wind

turbine blades

Solutions:• Reduce rotation speed

of turbines in lower winds

• Proper siting

• Insulating materials

Visual ImpactConcerns:• Highly visible

• Destroying landscapes

Solutions:• Proper siting

• Multiple locations

Bird and Other Wildlife ImpactConcerns:• Bird and bat fatalities due

collision or electrocution

• Fragmenting their habitats

Solutions:• Monitoring efforts

• Carefully selecting sites

Electromagnetic ImpactConcerns:• Interfere with radar

and telecommunication facilities

• Like all electrical generating systems, turbines produce electric and magnetic fields

Solutions:• Proper siting

• Monitoring effects

Carbon Footprint of Wind Power A carbon footprint is "the

total set of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product" (UK Carbon Trust 2008).

Use of wind turbines is the most effective way to cut a household’s carbon footprint in half

Emits no carbon during operation, but do leave a minor footprint during construction phase

Wind Power is one of the cleanest forms of renewable energy