1. How does a wind turbine produce electricity? 2. How would you compare the production of wind power in the U.S. to other countries of the world? 3. What are the environmental impacts of wind power? 4. How does the carbon footprint of wind energy compare to your form of power?

By Heather Gorman, Joan Lowry, and Erica Simons

The History of Wind Power Power Sailing Ships Windmills Wind Turbines Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form, such as electricity, using wind turbines (Wikipedia)

What Causes Wind? Uneven heating of the earth’s surface Wind blows because the sun shines

Why Wind Power? Clean Energy- a great alternative to fossil fuels Non-Polluting Energy- does not produce any greenhouse effect gases Renewable Resource

How does a wind turbine create electricity? Blades collect the wind’s kinetic energy Blades turn the drive shaft The drive shaft turns the magnet in the generator The magnet turning inside the coil of copper wires creates a magnetic field and electricity is generated.

Altitude

Factors that Affect Wind Power Open areas with no windbreaks

Factors that Affect Wind Power Season

The Physics of Wind Power Energy utilized is the kinetic energy of the wind Hydroelectric potential energy = mgh Potential kinetic energy of the wind = ½ m V(sq) C= ½ x d x pi Energy = C x Lb² x V³ Energy is dependent on the velocity to the power of 3 (V x V x V). If the wind speed doubles, the power increases by a factor of eight. If you increase the length of the blades ( Lb ) by two, the power increases by 4.

Which Countries Use Wind Power? April 2009 total installed wind capacity: 1. United States 2. Germany 3. Spain 4. China 5. India Lagging behind other countries in wind as a percentage of electricity consumption 1. Denmark (20%) 2. Spain (13%) 3. Portugal (11%) 12. United States (< 2%)

Wind Power in the U.S. is on the Rise 2007 – Use increased 45% 2008 – 1% of energy consumption <2% of energy consumption 2030 – Goal is 20% of electric demand

Where is Wind Power in the U.S.? Texas California Minnesota Iowa Washington

1999 – 2009 Wind Power Capacity in the U.S.

Wind Power in Massachusetts Best Locations Northern part of Cape Cod Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Sections of the Berkshires Wind Energy Predevelopment Support Program

Why Wind Power is on the Rise Declining production costs Uncertainty with fuel prices Energy security Supportive federal and state policies Environmentally friendly Public support Green power Carbon footprint

Issues for Wind Power Political uncertainty Changing rules and regulations Operational impacts Accounting for non- monetary value

What are the Environmental Impacts of Wind Power? Noise Visual Impact Bird and Other Wildlife Mortality Electromagnetic Interference

Noise Impact Concerns: Mechanical Noise: produced by the gearbox and generator Aerodynamic Noise: produced by wind turbine blades Solutions: Reduce rotation speed of turbines in lower winds Proper siting Insulating materials

Visual Impact Concerns: Highly visible Destroying landscapes Solutions: Proper siting Multiple locations

Bird and Other Wildlife Impact Concerns: Bird and bat fatalities due collision or electrocution Fragmenting their habitats Solutions: Monitoring efforts Carefully selecting sites

Electromagnetic Impact Concerns: Interfere with radar and telecommunication facilities Like all electrical generating systems, turbines produce electric and magnetic fields Solutions: Proper siting Monitoring effects

Carbon Footprint of Wind Power A carbon footprint is "the total set of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product" (UK Carbon Trust 2008). Use of wind turbines is the most effective way to cut a household’s carbon footprint in half Emits no carbon during operation, but do leave a minor footprint during construction phase Wind Power is one of the cleanest forms of renewable energy