1. WIND POWER TRISTAN JENKINS NEIL MEHTA http://productsconsumerreport.com/images/Wind%20power.jpg

2. Goals of Wind Technology Programs The Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program aims to lead the nation's efforts to improve wind energy technology through public/private partnerships that enhance domestic economic benefit from wind power development. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_2030.html

3. Wind Energy Potential According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the world's winds could theoretically supply the equivalent of 5,800 quadrillion BTUs (quads) of energy each year--more than 15 times current world energy demand. (A quad is equal to about 172 million barrels of oil or 45 million tons of coal.) At the end of 2004, over 47,000 megawatts of generating capacity were used = 12 nuclear plants!!! http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_budget.html

4. Wind Turbine Structure and Function Wind energy turns 2 or 3 propeller-like blades around a rotor. The rotor, which is connected to the main shaft, spins a generator to create electricity. They can be used for a household, or be connected to an electrical grid. Animation: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind _animation.html http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind _animation.html

5. Economical Obstacles Must be cost-competitive with conventional generation sources. Wind does not always blow when electricity is needed. Productive areas are usually remote. Requires increased space and land. Some states offer tax credits and some utilities offer rebates or other incentives that can offset the cost of purchasing and installing wind systems. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_budget.html

6. Political Obstacles Restrictions on height The National Energy Policy Act of 1992 and the 1978 Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA) are two programs that apply to small independent power producers. http://www.automatedbuildings.com/news/oct05/articles/mc gwn/mcgwn.htm

7. Environmental Obstacles Noise produced by rotary blades Visual impacts Increased bat and bird mortality Relatively small amounts of lubricating oils and hydraulic and insulating fluids (respiratory distress) http://greenwichwindfarm.com/the-facts

8. Works Cited Stamm, Rick. "Wind Energy Development Environmental Concerns." Bureau of Land Management. 2009.Web.28 Apr 2009.. "Wind Energy FAQs For Customers." Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program. 26 Feb 2008.Web.24 Apr 2009.. "Wind Energy Potential." American Wind Energy Association.2009.Web. 24 Apr 2009.. "Wind Energy Technologies Program: About the Program." U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Efficienty and Renewable Energy. 31 Oct 2008. Web.24 Apr 2009..