1. Amelia Brown, Isabel Brieler, Armon Walker & Mac Johnson
Wind Power
Amelia Brown, Isabel Brieler, Armon Walker
& Mac Johnson

2. What is wind power?
Wind Power is harvested from wind by wind turbines. The wind turns the blade of the turbines, which in turn rotates a shaft within the body of the turbine. This rotational energy is then harnessed to operate a generator, which turns the energy into electricity that can then be transported elsewhere to supply power for homes or other buildings requiring it.

3. Type of Primary Source
Wind Power is actually a type of solar power. Because the surface of the Earth is unevenly heated by the sun, cold air moves around in an attempt to maintain equilibrium, causing wind.

4. Advantages of Wind Power
Sustainable
Clean
Free
Low operating costs
Adds jobs to the economy
Can be placed in remote locations
Autonomous
Take up a small surface area

5. Disadvantages of Wind Power
Dependent on wind (can be inactive when it isn’t windy)
Easily damaged by strong winds or water damage
30% usable power generated
Noisy and large (people often object to having them near their homes)
Can cause problems with bird and bat populations
High initial costs to purchase
Wake effect
Transporting electricity is expensive
Sometimes must be placed in remote or inaccessible locations

6. Sankey Diagram
Loss of 40% due to aerodynamic limits (the blades can’t get energy from all of the wind)
Loss of 25% due to friction in the turning turbine
Loss of 5% due to losses to the grid (not all electricity is kept when it is transported)

7. How to Solve Problems
Wind Power problems are fairly basic, and can be solved using the following equation:
P = 1/2pAv3
P = power
p = density of air
A = surface area of turbine blades
v = velocity of wind

8. Sources http://windeis.anl.gov/guide/basics/