Introduction to

Wind Energy

Where do we get our electricity?

What is “Renewable Energy?”

Major Parts of a Wind Turbine

Engine/Generator

Wind Turbine Perspective

Engine56 tons

Tower3 sections

Workers

Blade120’ long

Wind Turbine Perspective

• 350’+ base to blade• Each blade 120’• Span greater than a large

plane• Weigh approx 160 tons • Foundation 20+ feet deep• Supply at least 350 homes

Yawing – “Facing the Wind”• Active Yaw (all medium &

large turbines produced today)– Meter on engine tells controller

which way to point the hub into the wind.

– Yaw drive turns gears to point the hub into wind.

• Passive Yaw (Most small turbines)– Wind forces direct rotor using

tail vanes.

Breakin’ it down

• If PA generates 179 MW (per day) – Megawatt = 1,000,000 watts

• An average household uses 16,500 watts per day. How many houses will PA’s wind farms support?– Approximately 10,850 homes at no cost to the

environment.

Why do windmills need to be high in the sky??

Further From Earth-Less Turbulence from trees, buildings, etc.

-Higher Constant Speed.

Carnage!

Jobs in the Wind Industry (next slides)

Construction

Operations/Maintenance

Engineering/Design

Public Relations/Organizing Support

Environmental Assessment

Wind Turbine Project!Create and Design Your Own

Sketch of Blade• Construction• General Shape• All Dimensions• Number of Blades• Labeled Materials!

Available Materials (ask for others)• Dowel Rod(s)• Manila Folder• Aluminum Foil• Plastic Wrap• Popsicle Sticks• Straws• Paperclip

Pre-Construction Materials

• Wire• Cardboard• Foam Plates• Plastic Cup• Index Cards• Glue• Hot Glue• Masking Tape

• Number of Blades (2, 3, 4, 6, 8)• Blade Materials• Size & Shape of Blades (5”-15”)• Twist and Taper• Angle of Attack

Topics to Research Keywords for Research• Kidwind Project• Wind Turbines• Wind Mill• Airfoil Design• Wind Turbine Airfoils• Wind Turbine Design