Wind

1. Wind Wind Power “Research shows that wind power could theoretically produce over 100 times the region’s current demand for electricity.”

2. Source • Wind Power is actually a form of solar power because it is caused by heat from the sun. • The Earth is not heated evenly, so the cool air falls and the hot air rises, reducing the atmospheric pressure near the Earth’s surface, the rising and falling of the air is what we know as wind.

3. Efficiency and Cost • A modern wind turbine has a maximum capacity of around 2000 kilowatts or 2 megawatts. • A wind turbine will generate enough green electricity for the average annual needs of around 1100 homes, using an average demand of 4700 kilowatts per house. • Wind energy is the cheapest form of new electricity generation available today. • wind power plants can generate electricity for less than 5 cents per kilowatt-hour, a price that is competitive with new coal- or gas-fired power plants.

4. Equipment • Turbine - generates electricity using the wind’s energy • Tower - supports the turbine, getting it up out of the turbulent zone created by trees and buildings, and exposes the turbine to much more “fuel” • Wiring - carries the electricity down the tower and to power-conditioning equipment • Controller - controls charging of battery or input to inverter • Batteries - used for storage in off-grid systems or grid-tied systems with battery backup • Inverter - converts direct current (DC) electricity from batteries or rectifier to alternating current (AC) for home use • Metering - allows user to understand and manage system operation

5. U.S. Consumption/Usage • In 2010 wind power accounted for 2.3% of the electricity generated in the U.S. This amounted to 94,650 thousand megawatt-hours of electricity. • As of the third quarter of 2011, the cumulative installed capacity of wind power in the United States was 43,461megawatts

6. World Consumption/Usage Spain 42,976 Germany 35,500 United Kingdom 11,440 France 9,600 Portugal 8,852 Denmark 7,808 Netherlands 3,972 Sweden 3,500 Ireland 3,473 Greece 2,200 Austria 2,100

7. Global Wind Power Cumulative Capacity

8. Advantages of Wind Power • Wind is free, and with modern technology it can be captured efficiently. • Once the wind turbine is built the energy it produces does not cause green house gases or other pollutants. • Wind turbines are tall, but not wide, so the land below and around them can still be used. • Remote areas that are not connected to the electricity power grid can use wind turbines to produce their own supply. • Wind turbines have a role to play in both the developed and third world. • Wind turbines are available in a range of sizes which means a vast range of people and businesses can use them.

9. Disadvantages of Wind Power • The strength of the wind is not constant. This means that wind turbines do not produce the same amount of electricity all the time. • Many people don’t want any more construction on the countryside • Wind turbines are noisy. Each one can generate the same level of noise as a family car travelling at 70 mph. • When wind turbines are being manufactured some pollution is produced. Therefore wind power does produce some pollution. • Large wind farms are needed to provide entire communities with enough electricity.