Wind Power Jon Konen April 7, 2008 CBE 555 Presentation

Overview History History How it works How it works World Usage World Usage Pros Pros Cons Cons Cape Cod Wind Project Cape Cod Wind Project Wildlife Effect Wildlife Effect Questions Questions

History First used in Persia to grind wheat and grains First used in Persia to grind wheat and grains Prominence in Northwest Europe around 1180 AD for grinding flour Prominence in Northwest Europe around 1180 AD for grinding flour Water pumping windmills allowed use of land in North America Water pumping windmills allowed use of land in North America Modern turbines developed beginning in 1980’s Modern turbines developed beginning in 1980’s

How Wind Energy is Harvested Typical of turbines seen today Typical of turbines seen today Wind spins blades that is connected to generator Wind spins blades that is connected to generator Generator turns mechanical motion into electrical energy Generator turns mechanical motion into electrical energy

Current Windmill Measurments Most windmills have turbines that span approximately ft across Most windmills have turbines that span approximately ft across Generally at least as tall as a 20 story building Generally at least as tall as a 20 story building The taller the turbine, the more wind available The taller the turbine, the more wind available Typically now positioned in “Wind Farms” Typically now positioned in “Wind Farms” Spaced approximately 1/3 mile apart Spaced approximately 1/3 mile apart

Locations Typically rural areas Typically rural areas Best if at higher elevations (i.e. hills, sides of mountains, etc.) Best if at higher elevations (i.e. hills, sides of mountains, etc.) Can be located off-shore (Cape Cod Wind Project) Can be located off-shore (Cape Cod Wind Project) Must have wind speeds that are on average above 4.5 m/s (10 mph) Must have wind speeds that are on average above 4.5 m/s (10 mph)

Worldwide Statistics

Additional Statistics Denmark produces 20% of energy it uses with wind Denmark produces 20% of energy it uses with wind World Increase in usage from ,000 MW World Increase in usage from ,000 MW Highest growth rate in US Highest growth rate in US

United States Largest wind potential in Plain States (North and South Dakota, Kansas, Montana) Largest wind potential in Plain States (North and South Dakota, Kansas, Montana) Wisconsin has 18 th greatest potential Wisconsin has 18 th greatest potential Currently installed capacity Currently installed capacity –Texas, California, Minnesota, Iowa All greater than 1200 MW All greater than 1200 MW Wisconsin produces 53 MW Wisconsin produces 53 MW

US Potential

Positives No greenhouse gas emissions No greenhouse gas emissions Operating costs are minimal Operating costs are minimal Renewable energy Renewable energy Reduced dependence on coal, oil, natural gas Reduced dependence on coal, oil, natural gas

Positives, cont. Improving technology Improving technology High Energy Return on Investment (EROI) High Energy Return on Investment (EROI) –5-35, but average of 18 Cost on average is only $2.70/MWh and $3.30/MWh more than coal or natural gas Cost on average is only $2.70/MWh and $3.30/MWh more than coal or natural gas Can be on land, near shore, and off-shore Can be on land, near shore, and off-shore

Cons Slightly more expensive than fossil fuels to produce Slightly more expensive than fossil fuels to produce High capital costs High capital costs Output is not as consistent as fossil fuel Output is not as consistent as fossil fuel Can be harmful to wildlife (birds, bats) Can be harmful to wildlife (birds, bats) Cannot exist too near urban areas (building interfere with wind) Cannot exist too near urban areas (building interfere with wind)

Cape Cod Wind Project Plan to build 130 horizontal axis turbines covering 24 square miles Plan to build 130 horizontal axis turbines covering 24 square miles Would produce 420 MW of electricity Would produce 420 MW of electricity –Enough to power 420,000 homes Would power Cape Cod and Nantucket Would power Cape Cod and Nantucket $900 million project $900 million project Would be first off-shore wind power in U.S. Would be first off-shore wind power in U.S.

Cape Cod Wind Project Still in planning/approval stages Still in planning/approval stages Notable opposition to project Notable opposition to project –Ted Kennedy and Robert Kennedy Jr. Supported in a survey by 61% of adults in Cape Cod region Supported in a survey by 61% of adults in Cape Cod region Would offset approximately 1M tons of CO 2 per year Would offset approximately 1M tons of CO 2 per year Would use 113M gallons of oil less per year Would use 113M gallons of oil less per year

Wildlife Effects US Wind turbines kill 70,000 birds per year US Wind turbines kill 70,000 birds per year –57M killed by cars, 97.5M by clear glass Higher death rates for migratory bats Higher death rates for migratory bats –Studies are not complete Noise pollution is a minimum Noise pollution is a minimum –Texas town lawsuit, measured at 44dB

Questions Benefits versus solar energy? Benefits versus solar energy? Will the cost to produce wind energy continue to decrease? Will the cost to produce wind energy continue to decrease? Why are environmentalists opposed to wind farms? Why are environmentalists opposed to wind farms?

References s/renewable/wind.html s/renewable/wind.html pinion/editorials/articles/2008/03/11/winds_of_c hange_off_the_cape/ pinion/editorials/articles/2008/03/11/winds_of_c hange_off_the_cape/ energy/en/index.htm energy/en/index.htm