1. Wind Power Kanani Myers Kirsten Shipp http://www.sandomenico.org/uploaded/photos/Library/energy_windmills_copenhagen.jpg

2. Main Goals An alternative energy source Used to grind corn and wheat as far back as 5,000 years ago Now mainly used to generate electricity http://www.sandomenico.org/uploaded/photos/Library/energy_windmills_copenhagen.jpg

3. The Difference it makes 70's oil crisis created interest in alt. energy sources 1980's windmill started being used much more so in California In 2005, windmills created enough electricity to serve 1.6 million households Amount of energy produced by wind has tripled since 1998 in the US, 25 states house windfarms, the biggest windfarms being in California, Texas, Oklahoma and Massachusetts http://www.tva.gov/community/03report/images/windmill.jpg

4. How do they Work? Blades are used to slow down the speed of the wind, and collect the kinetic energy Wind's energy is put into a generator that converts the mechanical energy into electricity A cable line carries the electricity out to a bigger plant or to homes Most windmills are found on wind farms Most windmills are secluded on top of rounded hills or in between mountains where there are air funnels or much air. http://www.alliantenergykids.com/stellent2/groups/public/documents/pub/phk_ee_re_001502-3.jpg

5. The Tech Obstacles that are Faced New technologies are coming out Floating wind farms are the newest -- ex: Cape Cod Problems occur, unknowing if these floating wind farms will even work Land wind farms have no known big technological obstacles When wind doesn't blow, other energy sources must be used -- however, the kinetic wind energy is proportional to the wind speed cubed. (Bigger = Better!) http://inbalance.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/wind-farm.jpg

6. The Political/Economic Obstacles Economical obstacles are few and far between Wind energy is cheaper than almost all other energy sources and very easy to maintain, however much more expensive for site preparation and installation Politically many believe it is a good possible energy source. http://french.wunderground.com/data/wximagenew/m/mikecarter/23.jpg

7. The Impacts made on the Environment Little impact on emissions through wind energy source, compared to other sources. Bird and Bat mortality is a serious issue that is very controversial -- however the problem is being fixed by careful placement of mills and monitoring effects of sites now existing In old technologies, noise was a problem, but as technologies get better, the noise pollution lessens, and creates almost no noise. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Wind_farm_Spain.JPG

8. Bibliography http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/so urces/renewable/wind.html http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/so urces/renewable/wind.html http://www.verdexchange.org/node/151 http://windeis.anl.gov/faq/index.cfm#Econo micshttp://windeis.anl.gov/faq/index.cfm#Econo mics