Kate Kelch Chris Thomas Julia Zurek

Wind Turbine Functions The turbines generate electricity as much as eight large nuclear power plants. 2 Types: Vertical Axis design Horizontal Axis design Parts of a wind turbine ~Rotor Blade ~Hub ~Shaft ~Nacelle ( Yaw Controller, Gearbox, Generator, Brakes) ~Tower

Wind Functions Continued.. >The yaw controller activates the rotor to align the unit with the wind direction. And dictates the wind speed, the turbines will start turning at 8mph and stop at 55mph to avoid damage. >The gearbox controls the shaft speed between generator and rotor hub. >The rotor blades rotate causing a series of reactions which lead to the electricity production >Tower is the area where turbines are sometimes placed to collect more wind.

Minnesota California Wind Farms Across the United States

Wind is free, so wind farms do not need fuel. Produces no waste or greenhouse gases. Land under wind turbines can still be used for farming. Wind farms can be tourist attractions. It is a good method of supplying energy to remote areas.

Wind as an Alternative for Non- Renewable Energy The U.S. uses fossil fuels to generate more than 2/3 of its electricity. The U.S. uses fossil fuels to generate more than 2/3 of its electricity.  51% is generated with coal, 15% is generated with natural gas, and 3% is generated with petroleum. In the year 2000 wind turbines worldwide produced 15,000 megawatts of electricity (5.2 million homes) (1% of energy used in the US) In the year 2000 wind turbines worldwide produced 15,000 megawatts of electricity (5.2 million homes) (1% of energy used in the US) Wind power potential (900,000 megawatts) off our coasts = as much as the current capacity of all power plants in the United States combined. Wind power potential (900,000 megawatts) off our coasts = as much as the current capacity of all power plants in the United States combined.

Challenges Cannot be created on demand. The wind blows off and on. Cannot be created on demand. The wind blows off and on. Land use Land use Wind farms cause erosion in desert areas. Wind farms cause erosion in desert areas. Affect the natural view. Affect the natural view. Bird deaths occur due to collisions with wind turbines and associated wires. Bird deaths occur due to collisions with wind turbines and associated wires. Noise (wind turbines generate both audible and low frequency [deep base vibration] sound waves). Noise (wind turbines generate both audible and low frequency [deep base vibration] sound waves). Grass or brush fires caused by shorts in the electrical cables. Grass or brush fires caused by shorts in the electrical cables.

In Use in the U.S. The Midwestern U.S= The “Saudi Arabia of wind” The Midwestern U.S= The “Saudi Arabia of wind” The Dakotas and Texas have enough wind resources to meet the nation’s electricity needs. The Dakotas and Texas have enough wind resources to meet the nation’s electricity needs. 12 wind farm projects in the U.S. 12 wind farm projects in the U.S. California=Largest number of wind turbines California=Largest number of wind turbines

Pros and Cons of California Wind Projects Altamont Pass, California  in 2004 turbines killed 4,700 birds Altamont Pass, California  in 2004 turbines killed 4,700 birds Under hot inland conditions a thermal low is developed that brings in cool coastal marine air. Under hot inland conditions a thermal low is developed that brings in cool coastal marine air. New units=more efficient New units=more efficient

Becoming a Reality Less than 1% of Nation’s Energy Less than 1% of Nation’s Energy 20% Wind Power by 2030, reduce CO2 by 25% 20% Wind Power by 2030, reduce CO2 by 25% Midwest has not reached full potential Midwest has not reached full potential Highest Potential Energy on Coastlines Highest Potential Energy on Coastlines

Michigan’s Wind Could power 107 million homes Could power 107 million homes Cost about 3.5 million each Cost about 3.5 million each  Great Offshore Resources  100,000 Turbines  321,000 MW

Works Cited Bionomic Fuel. "How Wind Turbine Power Is Used." Bionomic Fuel. 28 Oct Bionomicfuel.com. 4 Feb Bionomic Fuel. "How Wind Turbine Power Is Used." Bionomic Fuel. 28 Oct Bionomicfuel.com. 4 Feb Clendenin, Julie. "Wind energy grows by record 8,300 MW." Wind: Powering a Cleaner Stronger America. 27 Jan AWEA. 4 Feb Clendenin, Julie. "Wind energy grows by record 8,300 MW." Wind: Powering a Cleaner Stronger America. 27 Jan AWEA. 4 Feb Darvill, Andy. "Energy Resources:Wind Power." Andy Darvill's Science Site. 1 Nov Feb Darvill, Andy. "Energy Resources:Wind Power." Andy Darvill's Science Site. 1 Nov Feb Layton, Julia. "How Wind Power Works." How Stuff Works. 30 Oct Feb Layton, Julia. "How Wind Power Works." How Stuff Works. 30 Oct Feb Leahy, Patrick. "Pollution from Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Power Plants." Patrick Leahy Vermont United States Senate. 4 Feb Leahy, Patrick. "Pollution from Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Power Plants." Patrick Leahy Vermont United States Senate. 4 Feb Thomas, Justin. "New Report: Offshore Wind Could Power Entire U.S." Science and Technology Treehugger. 4 Feb Thomas, Justin. "New Report: Offshore Wind Could Power Entire U.S." Science and Technology Treehugger. 4 Feb