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The original source of energy for almost all living things on earth is… A. Sun B. Water C. Soil D. Plant life E. Wind 2

Each and every action on Earth involves… A. Food B. Energy C. Sun D. Water E. Motion 3

Which of the following statements best defines energy? A. A force that moves something B. Potential and kinetic C. The rate at which work is done D. The ability to do work E. Fossil fuels 4

The term “renewable energy resources” means … A. Resources that are free and convenient to use B. Resources that can be converted directly into heat and electricity C. Resources that do not produce air pollution D. Resources that are very efficient to use or producing energy E.Resources that can be replenished by nature in a short period of time 5

Which of the following energy resources is not renewable? A. Solar B. Coal C. Biomass (wood, waste, plants, alcohol fuels) D. Water (hydro) power E. Geothermal 6

7 Wind Energy Used with permission from: Professor Stephen Lawrence Leeds School of Business University of Colorado Boulder, CO Adapted from a presentation by Keith Stockton Environmental Studies University of Colorado Boulder, CO Catherine Walker American Public University

8 Wind Turbines Power for a House or City

9 Wind Energy History  5000 B.C. – Egyptians are first known people to use wind energy to navigate their boats.  1219 A.D. – The earliest known windmill was documented in China. It was used to pump water and grind grain.  1887 – First windmill/wind turbine built for purpose of electricity by Professor James Blyth in Glasgow.  1930s-40s – Wind turbines used on isolated farms in U.S. to generate electricity, but they became obsolete after extension of central power grid.  1973 – The U.S. Federal Government began to seriously research wind energy after the “Arab Oil Crisis” and OPEC Oil Embargo.  Mid 1980s- early 90s – California establishes several wind energy projects and becomes leader of wind farms.  1999 – The Department of Energy began the Wind Powering America (WPA) program  2008 – The Department of Energy released a report detailing how the U.S. could produce 20% of its electricity through wind energy by 2030  2009 – Economic Stimulus Bill signed, with a long-term goal being to invest in renewable energy, and a promise of a 30% investment tax credit to those who buy wind turbines.  Present – “Cape Wind,” a possible first offshore wind farm for the U.S., is still tied up in the court system.

How Wind Power Works 10

11 Wind in the U.S.

12 U.S. Energy Consumption – US

13 Installed Wind Turbines

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Wind Cycle 16 In the daytime, the sun heats the land and the air above it. The warm air above the land rises, and the cold air above the water takes it place, where it is warmed too. This creates a daytime convection current. In the evening, the current goes the opposite direction because the sun is not shining, therefore the land is cooling.

San Gorgonio Wind Farm near Palm Springs 17

18 Wind Turbine Size

19 At a span of 70 meters, tip to tip, the turbine blades are over 10 metres wider than the wingspan of a Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet. The nacelle – the section of the wind turbine that houses the electricity- generating equipment – is the size of a bus. How Big is a Wind Turbine?

Calculation of Wind Power Power in the wind Power in the wind –Effect of swept area, A –Effect of wind speed, V –Effect of air density,  R Swept Area: A = πR 2 Area of the circle swept by the rotor (m 2 ). Power in the Wind = ½ρAV 3

21 Wind Power Pros and Cons

22 Pros  Renewable energy – the wind cycle occurs each day  No air pollution  No greenhouse gasses  No water needed for operations  Does not consume any non-renewable resources, like coal, natural gas, or oil

23 Cons  Siting Bird populations Noise Visual impact  Intermittent source of power  Transmission constraints  Financing

24 Future Trends

25 Cost Reductions  Financing Strategies  Manufacturing Economy of Scale  Better Sites and “Tuning” Turbines for Site Conditions  Technology Improvements

26 The Future of Wind - Offshore MW per turbine m hub height 5 km from shore, 30 m deep ideal Gravity foundation, pole, or tripod formation Shaft can act as artificial reef Drawbacks- Underground cables lead to shore and visual eye sore NIMBY

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28 You as the Wind Engineer

29 Fun With Wind Speed

30 Measuring the Wind The energy in the moving wind can be used to generate electricity. You need to know how fast the wind is blowing before you can harness wind power. Wind turbines need a constant, average wind speed of about 14 miles per hour before the wind turbines can generate electricity.

31 Make a model an·e·mom·e·ter

32 Calibrating your anemometer Using a car, 1 person drove the car 1 person held the anemometer out of the window 1 person held a stop watch 1 person counted the revolutions of the anemometer They drove exactly 10 mph. In one minute their anemometer made 100 revolutions. Assuming there was no wind that day, they determined that with their anemometer 100 rpms equals 10 miles per hour.

Commercial Anemometer  Wind speed - measures current, maximum, or average wind speed  Measures wind speed - up to 65 mph (90 Km/h)  Current temperature - measures temperature in F or C 33

Field Trips – Palm Springs 34

Field Trips – University of Redlands 35

Field Trips 36