Wind Energy

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Wind Energy

• A clean renewable energy resource

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Why Wind?

• Its Plentiful! Theres lots of wind in many
  areas of the world to use for energy.
• It doesnt Pollute! Wind turbines have a very
  low impact on the environment.
• Its Renewable! Wind energy is an unlimited
  resource for our future.

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How does a Turbine Work?

• Wind turns the blades
• Blades turn the generator
• Generator makes electricity
• Electricity flows for useby consumers

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USA Wind Resource Map
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Todays Situation

• Wind Farms are being built in NY State
• Individuals are installing wind turbines
• Communities are putting in zoning laws
• Turbines often pay for themselves in 5 to 10
  years, making them cost effective.
• Quieter, more efficient, tax incentives!

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New York Wind Farms
B

• A. Fenner Project
• B. Maple Ridge Project
• C. Madison Project
• D. Wethersfield Project

C
A
D
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New York Wind Farms
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Wind Power in Hannibal?

• There are excellent wind resources near the Lake
  Ontario shoreline
• Our ING Wind vs. PV project will take a look at
  wind power vs. solar power at Hannibal Central
  School.

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Wind Power in Hannibal?

• A 400 watt wind turbine will be installed at the
  high school and students will study power
  produced by wind and compare it to
  the power produced by a Photovoltaic
  (PV) solar panel to be installed in
  2007.

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Parts of a Wind Turbine
How Wind Turbines Work US Dept of Energy
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Generator
How Wind Turbines Work US Dept of Energy
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Turbine Blades
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Your Challenge

• Design turbine blades, 3 sets per team
• Determine surface areas of each set
• Build the blade sets good craftsmanship is
  important!
• Test EACH set of blades for voltage and current
  output at 3 different angles to the wind, 3 wind
  speeds, using Vernier Lab Pro data collection.
• Graph your results

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Calculating surface area

• Carefully construct a symmetrical set of blades
  to test. Craftsmanship counts
• Measure the surface area using the 1cm2 grid
  pattern paper. Count the squares!
• Multiply the individual area by the number of
  blades for total surface area.

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Controlling your variables

• Be sure that all of your blades are set at the
  same angle for testing.
• Measure wind speed at the same point each trial.
  Record it!
• Record mean voltage ad current output for each
  trial using Vernier Lab Pro data loggers.
• Change ONE variable at a time so that you can see
  the effect it might have!

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Collecting your data

• Be sure that you test all sets of blades the same
  way. Vary the angle, the fan speed, the surface
  area (blade area).
• Measure wind speed at the same point each trial.
  Record it!
• Record current voltage output for each trial.
• Change only ONE variable at a time.

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Optimizing your design

• Examine your data from design 1 and 2 to
  determine the best design tested.
• Design a new set of blades to perform BETTER than
  the first 2 sets.
• Determine the best angle to the wind.
• Test the the same way and make changes to your
  design if needed.