Wind Power
From wiki.NGSciEd.org
Staci S.
Michael J.
Ellie E.
Contents |
Wind Becomes Electricity!
Michael Johnson
- -Wind Power is very simple. The energy form the wind turn's the propeller which cause the rotor to spin. The rotor sends this energy into the main shaft of the turbine, which turn the Generator to creates electricity.
-the generator to create electricity can be linked to Electricity Generation. Look at Wiki #1 for more information.
- -There are often more then one wind turbine in a wind farm. The wind turbines are mounted on tower to increase the amount of wind energy they are able to capture. These tower of often around 100ft off the ground.The wind turbines are connect to a electricity grid to allow a widespread electricity distribution.
Wind Supply
- Wind currently supplies about 1.2% of the United States power.
- The U.S. Department of Energy predicts that by the year 2030, Wind Energy will be 20% of our energy produced.
- The World produces about 28.6% of its energy from Wind Power.
- Wind Power is considered a reusable source of energy.
- Wind Energy is a cool breeze of reliable, clean power in the World and decreases pollution in the air.
- Green, Clean, and Environment Friendly.
(Moskowitz)
- Get plugged into the Smart Grid: See how Wind Energy is being used all around the World by clicking here: http://ge.ecomagination.com/smartgrid/#/landing_page
Current Events
- WINDPOWER Conference 2009
WINDPOWER 2009 Conference & Exhibition taking place May 4 - 7, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. Each year, wind energy professionals gather at this event to learn about the latest industry developments and technologies, review new products and services in the expansive exhibit hall, and network with leading industry decision makers. Find more information here- [1] (Windpower 2009)
- Saving Energy from your home:
Reduce your energy bill by 80% by using Wind Power at your home. Step-by-step home kit: [2] (Energy at Home)
1. Windpower 2009. "Windpower Conference and Exhibitions." 2009. 17 Feb. 2009 <http://www.windpowerexpo.org/>.
2. Energy at Home. 18 Feb. 2009 <http://www.r-e-systems.com/>
The wind is a powerful thing!
PROS:
- The Wind is a renewable source that does not harm the environment
- Wind power is a cost effective means to produce energy
- The wind would help eliminate use of pollution causing elements and fuels.
- Offshore wind farms have such low production costs that they can earn back the expense of installation and operation within as little as 3 months(Vickroy)
- Wind farms do not produce Co2, which is a green house gas that is very bad for the environment, while other forms of producing energy do produce Co2
CONS:
- It would be ineffective in area where there is little or no wind.
- It costs a lot to set up a wind farm!
- Wind farms are ugly and can be noisy! (NIMBY) -this means people like the idea of the way of electricty generation, but that they don't like how it looks or sounds in their neighborhoods.
- The building of these farms cause woodlands to be cleared and can contribute to massive deaths of birds.(Vickory)
It's not only pretty, it's good for the environment too!
This video defines American wind power!
KEY TERMS
Wind- air moving from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure.
Turbine- rotary engine that extracts energy from a fluid flow.
wind power- conversion of wind energy into a useful form, such as electricity, using wind turbines.
Things to Think About:
1. Would you use wind power in your home?
2. Do you think wind power is really more efficient?
Lesson plans for Wind Power as a source of energy!
Here are some good links to some great information about wind power and how you can use it in the classroom.
[3]--- Here you can find information about wind power and there are some good labs your kids could do.
[4]--- Here are some good labs that you can use to help your kids better understand wind power.
[5]--- Good ideas for the teacher to help relay information to students
Sources
1. Ecomagination. "Imagination at Work." 2009. 17 Feb. 2009. <http://ge.ecomagination.com/site/>.
2. Moskowitz, Clara. "U.S. Takes Global Lead in Wind Energy Production." 23 July 2008. 17 Feb. 2009 <http://www.livescience.com/environment/080723-us-wind-energy.html>.
3. U.S. Department of Energy. "Wind." 12 May 2008. 17 Feb. 2009 <http://www.energy.gov/energysources/wind.htm>.
4. Vickroy, Diane. "Pros And Cons Of Wind Power." 20 Sept. 2008. 12 Feb. 2009 <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-wind-power.html>.
5. Windpower 2009. "Windpower Conference and Exhibitions." 2009. 17 Feb. 2009 <http://www.windpowerexpo.org/>.
