Wind EnergyWind Energy

The Future of Club MedicaThe Future of Club Medica

Why Choose Wind Energy?Why Choose Wind Energy?

• Wind's pollution-free Wind's pollution-free electricity helps reduce electricity helps reduce environmental damage.environmental damage.

• In 1997, US power plants In 1997, US power plants emitted:emitted:

• 70% Sulfur Dioxide70% Sulfur Dioxide• 34% Carbon Dioxide34% Carbon Dioxide• 33% Nitrogen Oxides33% Nitrogen Oxides• 28% Particulate Matter28% Particulate Matter• 23% Toxic Heavy Metals23% Toxic Heavy Metals

Why Choose Wind Energy?Why Choose Wind Energy?

• Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides cause acid raincause acid rain

• Acid rain damages environment Acid rain damages environment and wildlife it supportsand wildlife it supports

• America’s 5% of population emits America’s 5% of population emits 23% of carbon dioxide23% of carbon dioxide

• To avoid dangerous levels of To avoid dangerous levels of global warming, we must cut the global warming, we must cut the emission of carbon dioxide from emission of carbon dioxide from 80 – 90% by 205080 – 90% by 2050

• The generation of wind energy The generation of wind energy produces no carbon dioxideproduces no carbon dioxide

• Wind energy consumes a Wind energy consumes a significantly less amount of water significantly less amount of water compared to conventional power compared to conventional power plants and even solar energy.plants and even solar energy.

WATER CONSUMPTION--WIND AND SOLAR

Technology gallons/kWh liters/kWh

Wind [1] 0.001 0.004

Solar [2] 0.030 0.110

WATER CONSUMPTION--CONVENTIONAL POWER

PLANTSTechnology gallons/kWh liters/kWh

Nuclear 0.62 2.30

Coal 0.49 1.90

Oil 0.43 1.60

Combined Cycle Gas 0.25 0.95

Why Choose Wind Energy?Why Choose Wind Energy?

• ALSO…ALSO…

• Short Term Pollution:Short Term Pollution:

• NONENONE

• Long Term Pollution:Long Term Pollution:

• NONENONE

• WOW!!!WOW!!!

The first windmills appeared in the 7th century in present day Iran and Afghanistan!!!!

Initial CostInitial Cost

• It costs anywhere between $150000 and $500000 for 1 It costs anywhere between $150000 and $500000 for 1 wind generator (depending on size and output)wind generator (depending on size and output)

• Grid – connected residential system (1-10 kW) cost Grid – connected residential system (1-10 kW) cost between $2400 to $3000 per installed kilowattbetween $2400 to $3000 per installed kilowatt

• Medium – scale commercial system (10-100kW) cost Medium – scale commercial system (10-100kW) cost between $1500 and $2500 per installed kilowattbetween $1500 and $2500 per installed kilowatt

• Large – scale systems (Over 100kW) cost between $1000 Large – scale systems (Over 100kW) cost between $1000 and $2000 per installed kilowattand $2000 per installed kilowatt

• General Trend: Cost decreases as machine capacity General Trend: Cost decreases as machine capacity increasesincreases

Cost per Kilowatt vs. Rated PowerCost per Kilowatt vs. Rated Power

Long Term CostsLong Term Costs

• A rule of thumb estimate for annual operating expenses is A rule of thumb estimate for annual operating expenses is 2% to 3% of the initial system cost. 2% to 3% of the initial system cost.

• Another estimate is based on the system's energy Another estimate is based on the system's energy production and is equivalent 1 to 2 cents per kWh of output. production and is equivalent 1 to 2 cents per kWh of output.

• One reason the United States is slightly behind Europe is One reason the United States is slightly behind Europe is the lack of consistent, long-term legislation.the lack of consistent, long-term legislation.

• Wind is good in the long term because there is no fuel Wind is good in the long term because there is no fuel variability, there's no fuel cost to worry about. variability, there's no fuel cost to worry about.

• The progression of wind energy has been encouraged by The progression of wind energy has been encouraged by federal tax breaks. federal tax breaks.

Kinu cha upepo means “windmill” in Swahili

Availability Availability

• Wind farms are located in place with a lot of fast winds in order to Wind farms are located in place with a lot of fast winds in order to create the most amount of energy.create the most amount of energy.

• Significant spots include tops of rounded hills, open plains, Significant spots include tops of rounded hills, open plains, shorelines, and mountain gaps.shorelines, and mountain gaps.

• Wind can be unreliable due to varying speeds and seasonal Wind can be unreliable due to varying speeds and seasonal changeschanges

• Wind farms are located in 25 states, major California, Texas, Iowa, Wind farms are located in 25 states, major California, Texas, Iowa, Minnesota, and OklahomaMinnesota, and Oklahoma

• The largest is located in Texas and generates enough electricity to The largest is located in Texas and generates enough electricity to power 230,000 homes per yearpower 230,000 homes per year

• Scientists say that ¼ of the nation is suitable for wind power Scientists say that ¼ of the nation is suitable for wind power production.production.

• Alone, North Dakota could produce 1/3 of the U.S. electricityAlone, North Dakota could produce 1/3 of the U.S. electricity

Europe produced 2/3 of the world’s wind energy in the early years of the 21st century!!!

Criticism of Wind EnergyCriticism of Wind Energy

• Wind turbines may Wind turbines may effect the effect the migration of birds migration of birds and bats.and bats.

• However it is However it is proven that human proven that human activity has a activity has a bigger affect on bigger affect on bats and birds than bats and birds than wind turbines.wind turbines.

Criticism of Wind EnergyCriticism of Wind Energy• Complaints have been made that wind turbines ruin the Complaints have been made that wind turbines ruin the

landscapelandscape

• On the other hand, many view the sight of the turbines to serve On the other hand, many view the sight of the turbines to serve as a reminder of a cleaner futureas a reminder of a cleaner future

• In a 2002 survey of 300 tourists in the Argyll region of Scotland, In a 2002 survey of 300 tourists in the Argyll region of Scotland, noted for its scenic beauty, 91% said the presence of wind noted for its scenic beauty, 91% said the presence of wind

turbines would not affect their decision to returnturbines would not affect their decision to return • Opinion surveys regularly show that 5% of people are openly Opinion surveys regularly show that 5% of people are openly

opposed to the development of wind energy, whereas over 80% opposed to the development of wind energy, whereas over 80% are openly in favor of it.are openly in favor of it.

• It is estimated that 50,000 Americans die annually as a result of It is estimated that 50,000 Americans die annually as a result of air pollution. In contrast, in 20 years the wind industry has only air pollution. In contrast, in 20 years the wind industry has only claimed 1 life (German sky-diver who parachuted off course into claimed 1 life (German sky-diver who parachuted off course into a turbine.)a turbine.)

Criticism of Wind EnergyCriticism of Wind Energy

• There is some question as to whether wind projects affect There is some question as to whether wind projects affect electromagnetic transmissions, such as radio, television, electromagnetic transmissions, such as radio, television, and cell phone signalsand cell phone signals

• This is not a problem with modern residential turbinesThis is not a problem with modern residential turbines

• Also this can be remedied by improving the receivers Also this can be remedied by improving the receivers antenna, installing relays to transmit the signal around the antenna, installing relays to transmit the signal around the wind farm, or by using satellite or cable televisionwind farm, or by using satellite or cable television

• Wind projects will affect radar systemsWind projects will affect radar systems

• However, it is possible to modify the radar systems to avoid However, it is possible to modify the radar systems to avoid this problemthis problem

An Australian professor is developing The Gyromill, which will generate wind energy from an altitude of 14,750 ft.

http://www.jeopardyinfo.com/JeopardyTickets.htm