Aslan Smith and Zack Plaster

What is Wind Power? The use of wind turbines to make a usable form of electricity and or energy out of wind.

Practical Uses Electricity powering machines replacement of fossil fuels Pumping water or drainage Sails (Propelling ships)

How does it work? Turbines convert the energy in the wind from an unusable form of Kinetic energy to a more useful form of energy like electricity. It doesn’t use any kind of fuel, and it has less wasted energy than many other sources of electricity such as coal. It doesn’t produce any kind of greenhouse gas or toxic waste.

Environmental impact. (Pros) It is a pollution free source of energy. It doesn’t require fuel. No greenhouse gasses No toxic wastes Basically pay for themselves in a matter of years. (How much they cost versus how much money is saved by using wind power instead of fossil fuels)

Environmental impact. (Cons) Visual impact Birds Lightning Noise TV/Radio interference Destruction of habitats

Visual Impact Wind turbines take up a lot of space. The amount of space usable and the uniformity of the turbines generally effects the placement of the wind turbines. Turbine-Generators--Palm-Springs--California_web.jpg _farm_ufo_ c.jpg

Impact on birds (and bats) It has been thought that turbines would have a large impact on birds, and in some situations they have. (Altamont, CA) However, this certain situation appears to be an anomaly. Most birds move to avoid collision. Raptor poor eyesight in Altamont increased chance of collision. Type of turbine can reduce the risk of collision with bird or bat. Night migrating birds (contrary to popular belief) rarely run into turbines. Sights vary, in some wind farms, bird mortality is very low, but in other instances, bird mortality is high. (17,000 raptor deaths in Altamont)

Problems at Altamont, CA Was built in an area with a high raptor use. Birds are seen trying to avoid turbines, but there are so many, it’s hard to avoid. Scientists are trying to find ways to reduce chance of collision, but with the wind farm already up and running, it’s hard to change the rate of death. Anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 birds die per year.

Lightning Damage to wind turbines estimate over 50,000 dollars per year on average for every wind farm, but some costs are over 250,000 dollars. There is no real way to prevent lightning from striking turbines, however, an understanding of lightning and geographical placement of turbines can reduce risk of a lightning strike.

Noise Noise is generated by turbines, like all machines, but the noise is very limited, and in the recent years, architects and engineers have worked to reduce noise created by wind turbines.

Impact on the environment. Land cleared to set up turbines. Wind farms take up acres of space. Sight polution.

Websites generation/renewables/wind-power/?stc=usccc generation/renewables/wind-power/?stc=usccc initiatives/wind- energy/default.aspx?NRC=MEDC_GGP&NRX=MEDC 6486&WT.srch=1&gclid=CL2E1pDP76ACFZVY2godKir 5Xg initiatives/wind- energy/default.aspx?NRC=MEDC_GGP&NRX=MEDC 6486&WT.srch=1&gclid=CL2E1pDP76ACFZVY2godKir 5Xg