1. Real World Math The Algebra of Wind Turbines

2. Prescott Wind Turbine Site Idaho Trivia Question: What box office sleeper was filmed in Prescott, Idaho?

3. How to Build a Wind Turbine

4. Step 1: Build Some Roads

5. Step 2: Dig Some Holes Baylor Grad

6. Step 3: Put Some Steel in the Holes

7. Step 4: Pour Some Concrete in the Holes

8. Step 5: Stack the tower with a crane

10. Step 6: Build and raise the rotor

11. Step 7: String the wire and plug them in

12. Algebra Problems 1.) ▲Calculate volume of cement in cubic yards for the octagonal base ▲Multiply by the projected number of turbines ▲Estimate cost for cement required for footings ($100 per cubic yard)

13. 14’20’ 16’ 14’ 2’ 3’ 6” 2’ Side View Ground Level when complete Base Pedestal Base Pedestal Top View Wind Turbine Tower – 80 meters tall Wind Turbine Foundation 48’

14. Algebra Problems 2.) ▲Calculate the tip speed of the blade in miles per hour. ▲Calculate the distance in feet that the blade travels in one hour.

15. Tower Base Tower Top Tower Mid Blade Nacelle

16. 250 feet 125 feet Blade Speed = 17 rpm

17. GE Turbine Type: 1.5 Megawatt Wind speedPower curve (m/s)(kW) 00.0 1 2 3 436.0 5104.0 6205.0 7344.0 8528.0 9774.0 101,079.0 111,342.0 121,460.0 131,494.0 141,500.0 151,500.0 161,500.0 171,500.0 181,500.0 191,500.0 201,500.0 Power output as a function of wind speed The independent x variable is: Wind speed in meters per second The dependent y variable is: Power output in kiloWatts Here’s the basic equation: w = ½ r A v 3 w is power r is air density A is the rotor area v is the wind speed Problem: Solve the equation for r (section 1-3 in Alg II)

18. Capacity Factor Wind Turbine Power Curve Power Output in kW Wind Speed at Hub Height in meters/second 40% Capacity Factor = 40% of theoretical annual energy output Q: What polynomial function does the graph look like? A: