Converting Wind to Energy: The University of Maine at Presque Isle Wind Project

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Converting Wind to EnergyThe University of
Maine at Presque Isle Wind Project
By Sumul ShahSolaya Energy (A Division of
Lumus)May 14, 2009
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Agenda

• What is Wind Energy?
• What is a Wind Turbine?
• How are Wind Projects Planned?
• How did we build this turbine for the University
  of Maine at Presque Isle?

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What is Wind Energy?
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Wind power, geothermal energy and solar energy
all come from the sun
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The global wind belts are formed by two main
factors the unequal heating of the earth by
sunlight and the earth's spin.
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Changes in surface temperatures cause areas of
high and low pressures that influence or local
wind conditions.
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Wind is caused by air flowing from areas of high
pressure to low pressure. The direction is
influenced by the Earths rotation.
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Coastal Winds are generated because land
temperatures change faster than water
temperatures. Can result in windy conditions.
Warm air heats faster over land thus rising into
the air
Cool ocean air moves in
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Mountains can cause areas of high or low winds
due to uneven heating cooling of surfaces and
from terrain roughness
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What is a Wind Turbine?
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Having a bigger rotor with more area allows for
more of the wind energy to be captured by the
turbine.
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To capture this wind, wind turbines are
increasing in size. Today turbines have
increased 5-15 times from the 1980s.
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The power of the cube increases in wind speed
exponentially increase power output. Turbine
height also increases output.
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Early windmills were simply pushed by the wind.
Aerodynamic drag caused a loss on more than 2/3
of the winds energy.
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Today, the shape of the blades have been designed
to provide better efficiency and produce more
generation by using aerodynamic lift.
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• The turbine components are
• The rotor (blades)
• The hub which connects the blades
• The nacelle which houses the gearbox, generator,
  and controls
• The tower which supports the turbine
• A transformer which converts energy from the
  turbine to electricity useable by the grid

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The nacelle sits on top of the tower and houses
the gearbox, generator, controller and brakes.
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Wind turbines feed their electricity into the
electrical grid. The transformer alters the 690V
to a voltage comparable to the grid its serving.
University Building
M
M
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Computer control (SCADA) systems collect data
ensure that the turbine is achieving optimal
performance
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How are wind projects planned?
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Meteorological Data (MET) Towers are used for
site evaluation and development or wind projects.
The data logged includes wind speed and
direction, air pressure, and temperature.
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Mapping is used for determining turbine locations
and calculating annual energy output.
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Permitting wind projects is to ensure compliance
with existing laws, regulations, and
environmental protection.
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Financing wind projects varies depending on
equipment and construction costs. Advances in
wind have dramatically cut costs.
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How did we build this turbine for the University?
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First a road was constructed by the Maine Army
National Guard in order to provide access to the
site
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Ten 40 steel bolts were drilled and secured with
epoxy to anchor the foundation to the bedrock
below the ground.
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Over 10,000 pounds of reinforcing steel and
anchors were installed to provide strength for
the foundation.
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The foundation was covered and heated to prevent
freezing and cracking during construction and
curing
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88 Cubic yards of concrete were poured to serve
as the base for the turbine
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While the foundation cured in Maine, our
technicians were busy inspecting the turbines as
they were completed in Chennai, India
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Our engineers oversaw the road transportation
across India and the loading process onto the
ships at the docks in Mumbai.
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Soon thereafter, the tower sections were
transported from the factory in North Dakota to
the project site.
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After receiving all of the turbine components the
tower sections were placed on the foundation and
bolted together
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Next, the nacelle went up and was secured to the
tower.
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Meanwhile, crews on the ground worked diligently
to assemble the rotor so it could be lifted in
one piece.
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The final step of the erection process was to
lift the rotor to be attached to the nacelle.
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Attaching the rotor to the nacelle is delicate
work.
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University of Maine at Presque Isles wind
turbine.
Photo Courtesy of Civil Air Patrol
Sumul Shah, President, Solaya Energy, Woburn, MA
781-935-5600 sumul_at_solayaenergy.com