WIND POWER

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WIND POWER
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Wind Turbine Generators

• Wind power generators convert wind energy
  (mechanical energy) to electrical energy.
• The generator is attached at one end to the wind
  turbine, which provides the mechanical energy.
• At the other end, the generator is connected to
  the electrical grid.

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WIND POWER - What is it?

• Differential heating of the earths surface
• and atmosphere induces vertical and
  horizontal air currents that are affected by the
  earths
• rotation and contours of the land ? WIND.

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• Winds are influenced by the ground surface at
  altitudes up to 100
  meters.
• Wind is slowed by the surface roughness and
  obstacles.

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Annual Wind Power Resource - US Mainland
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Wind Energy in the US
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Wind Energy in the US
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WINDMILL DESIGN

• A Windmill captures wind energy and then uses a
  generator to convert it to electrical energy.
• When designing a windmill, one must decide on
  the size of the turbine, and the size of the
  generator.

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Wind Energy in the US
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Wind Turbines

• LARGE TURBINES
• Able to deliver electricity at lower cost than
  smaller turbines, because foundation costs,
  planning costs, etc. are independent of size.
• Well-suited for offshore wind plants.
• In areas where it is difficult to find sites, one
  large turbine on a tall tower uses the wind
  extremely efficiently.

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• SMALL TURBINES
• Local electrical grids may not be able to handle
  the large electrical output from a large turbine,
  so smaller turbines may be more suitable.
• High costs for foundations for large turbines
  may not be economical in some areas.

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• A typical 600 kW turbine costs about 450,000.
• Installation costs are typically 125,000.
• Therefore, the total costs will be about
  575,000.

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• 575,000 for a wind turbine.
• 600kW Diesel Generator 60,000

This generator could run a small building.
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• Advantages of Wind Power
• The wind blows day and night, which allows
  windmills to produce electricity throughout the
  day. (Faster during the day)

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• Advantages of Wind Power
• Wind energy is a domestic, renewable source of
  energy that generates no pollution and has little
  environmental impact. Up to 95 percent of land
  used for wind farms can also be used for other
  profitable activities including ranching, farming
  and forestry.

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Wind Energy in the US
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Striking Facts About Wind Energy Potential in the
US

• The U.S. contains enough useable wind resource
  to produce more electricity than the nation
  currently uses.
• The majority of this usable resource is in the
  Great Plains region. North Dakota alone has
  enough suitable wind resource to supply 36
  percent of the electricity consumed in the U.S.

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Wind Energy in the US
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