Benoit.Quinn.Fall.2009.energywiki

=__Wind Power and Its Endless Possibilities__= by

 One of the biggest problems facing this generation is the obvious **impending effects of global warming**. "Global warming is defined as an increase in the earth's atmospheric and oceanic temperatures widely predicted to occur due to an increase in the greenhouse effect resulting especially from pollution" (  [|www.mdbc.gov.au/subs/The_River/glossary.html]). The full effects and eventual outcome of global warming are not yet fully understood, but immediate action is needed to combat the rise of greenhouse gasses such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2).  Carbon Dioxide is a gas associated with the consumption and burning of fossil fuels and many solid objects. The constant demand of oil and other petroleum products across the world but also most greatly is in the United States. In 2007, The United States used an average of 20,680,000 barrels of oil per day. This is more than any other country.  The rising Carbon Dioxide levels in the atmosphere are causing an increase in temperature for many reasons.  Fossil Fuels are known as a non-renewable source of energy since they cannot be readily replaced in a matter of a few years.  In summation, the greenhouse effect is the compounding problem that in conjunction with carbon dioxide and other gasses is causing global  warming which in turn is causing drastic changes in climate which affects crops, water, people, plants, and animals altogether.



** What is the driving force of the problem? **

One of the most influential driving forces is the relatively low level of resources we have left to consume-our resources are depleting at a scary exponential rate. Secondly, geographically speaking- our environment is changing drastically. Most importantly, sea levels are rising from melting polar ice. This is caused by the high temperature of the seawater; the ocean absorbs some of the carbon dioxide in order to try and cool itself and be self-regulating. Species including our own are being threatened by increasing limited resources and dramatic environmental change.



** What are people currently doing or not doing to solve the problem? **

People are working on improving the efficiency with which we utilize our natural resources and the machines/processes in which they are consumed. For example cars are being made smaller and lighter with cleaner more efficient engines. Other people are converting cars to biodiesels and vegetable oil cars so that recycling can become a part of the solution. In addition to that people are looking to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Also people are recycling more which is cutting back on the supply demand of many raw materials. People are not taking any great steps to reduce their energy consumption. Something called vampire energy for example is where all kinds of electricity-powered objects and appliances are using electricity even when not in use and shut off. Simply by remaining plugged in they are consuming small amounts of electricity that, when added up over a period of time and looked at nationally, is a massive amount of waste. unfortunately, energy saving measures seem to come with excessively high costs even though it can save money and sometimes offer a tax break; this often deters people from adopting such measures in order to reduce their impact on the environment. Especially now when fiscal issues are so prevalent in our society. The most common use of wind to generate power comes from wind driven turbines. These turbines work by harnessing the kinetic energy of the wind and transforming it into electricity. In order to do this there must be wind, and wind is mainly created as a result of the sun. When the sun heats the air the hotter the air will get resulting in the rise of the hotter air, much like a hot air balloon. The space which this hot air used to occupy is then filled by cooler air which is the wind. "So I support comprehensive legislation that would overhaul our energy taxes; signal the market we're in this for the long run by extending for 10 years the production tax credit..." "We absolutely need the turbines." Senator Hillary Clinton, NY



**How does it work?**

The most common use of wind to generate power comes from wind driven turbines. These turbines work by harnessing the kinetic energy of the wind and transforming it into electricity. In order to do this there must be wind, and wind is mainly created as a result of the sun. When the sun heats the air the hotter the air will get resulting in the rise of the hotter air, much like a hot air balloon. The space which this hot air used to occupy is then filled by cooler air which is the wind.

In order to to transfer the energy of the wind into energy that we can use the wind turbine uses several rotor blades attached to a shaft which then goes to a generator. The rotor blades use the principals of lift and drag on the blade in the same way that a plane's wing or ships rudder. The lift of the wind against the wide rounded end of the bland, and the drag of created against the thinner end force the blades to rotate. When the rotor blades turn the rotate a shaft inside the casing called a nacelle. Within this nacelle the shaft, gearbox, and generator are housed and protected from the weather and other natural forces. First comes the low speed shaft, which takes the low speed created by the energy of the wind exerted on the rotor blades and transfers it to the gearbox. Rotational energy which makes its way to the gearbox is then increased in the gear box and then sent to the high speed shaft. The high speed shaft works with the generator to transform the energy in the a electrical energy we can use. This is done through electromagnetism, which is accomplished by the rotation of magnets attached to the shaft inside a metal coil resulting in an electrical current being produced. From the generator the electrical power is carried and increased before it is finally sent into the grid for use by farms, and house holds.

In order to get the most out of the wind turbine there are a series of controls and parameter which need to be followed. First for the wind to be successfully captured the turbine it must be at a very high level for several reasons. The major reason for wind turbines need to be mounted so high is because at higher elevations the wind speeds are greater and the are less obstructions to prevent the wind flow. Turbines which are fixed to rotate on a vertical axis have the tendency to require large amounts of space compared to the high mounted horizontally mounted counterparts. To maximize the production of the wind turbines controls for the pitch of the rotor blades and the yaw allow for the turbine to make the most out of winds from any direction and varying speeds. Also control for to shut down the turbine are equally important because after the wind reaches a certain velocity the turbine can become unproductive and even damage itself (http://science.howstuffworks.com/wind-power.htm).




 * Highlight the Best Aspects of it**

The best aspects of this is that it is totally clean and pure energy. There is no smog emission or pollution made by "collecting" or making the energy made by wind. Carbon Dioxide and other greenhouse gases do not result from the transfer of wind energy to electrical energy. The building, construction, and maintaining of any wind turbine produces numerous jobs and a booming industry. Wind power can be created anywhere and is a self sustaining purely domestic power source. This ability to create power without the aid of foreign nations resulting in the strengthening of the country's infrastructure. In addition, people can sell the green energy produced back into the grid which reduces their electrical bill as well as puts clean and green energy into the market.




 * Describe how the critics would discuss it**

"I favor renewable energy sources, including wind turbines, if they can be located in situations away from major migration pathways, and if scientific, peer-reviewed on-site studies of degree of hazard to migratory birds are conducted prior to construction." If a facility does go up, Robbins added that "a fine system should be in place for each bird killed or wounded by the turbines."__ Chandler S. Robbins, Maryland's preeminent expert on migratory birds (Maryland Public Service Commission testimony, 2002)

Critics main argument stems from the use of unclean sources of energy which at times need to be used to power the control stations. When winds that are two high or too low prevent the turbines from producing power so an alternative source of power is needed to provide electricity to run the control station. It is argued that this use of unclean energy cancels out the environmentally friendly benefits of wind power. Despite this claim wind power is still a valuable source of energy and remains safe for the environment because the amount of unclean energy used is very minimal.

The other common claim which is made by critics is the negative effects which wind turbines have have on people, animals and the environment. Birds and bats have been known to fly into the blades of the wind turbines which can be especially concerning for birds migrating or those who are endangered. People also feel threatened by wind turbines for several reason which could harm their well being. The use of wind turbines in large populated towns provides concern for extremely minimal risk of the rotor blades falling off and causing damage to the citizens below. The other complaint made is the noise which is produced by these turbines. The noise although loud is only bothersome to those who live within the immediate vicinity of the wind turbine. Finally the environmental effects can cause serious damage to the surrounding areas. Such effects occur in areas like the desert where the wind turbine although exposed to a large open area can erode the surface beneath the rotor blades.




 * If it doesn't make up much of the world's fuel/energy supply explain why.**

Less than five percent of the United States energy comes from wind power and that five percent includes other alternative methods of producing clean energy. Wind turbine can take up a great deal of space and need high sustaining winds for the turbine to operate at its maximum efficiency. A vast wide open area is also needed because a heavy populated area with large building will restrict the flow of wind not allow the turbine to work to its full potential. Also the environmental effects have given wind turbines a bad name causing communities to be overly cautious when they consider the installation of a wind turbine.




 * Explain how it could help solve some of the problems or contributes to those problems.**

The increased use of wind energy would help to break the United States of its dependency on foreign oil for use in power. Also the use of wind energy will help to reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses which are emitted into the atmosphere. Wind energy will help to improve the economy through the development of a new industry which will provide jobs in manufacturing, maintenance, and installation of wind turbines and wind farms.




 * Explain what it would take to do your thing better or in a larger scale.**

One of the things that could be better and in a larger scale would be to utilize more available land that is currently unused; in addition, the use of offshore wind farms would allow more places that wind can be harvested. There is a possible argument there that it would restrict waters, be an eyesore, and restrict the flow of vessels. These are all minor points when looking at the negative effects if we do not ween off our reliance on oil.

Also, we need to educate people on the benefits of wind power and provide them with information to eliminate the "fear of the unknown" that comes with such a new technology. Making it more cost effective and affordable would be something that would be better and open it up to a larger scale operation.

"Only after the last tree has been cut down. Only after the last river has been poisoned. Only after the last fish has been eaten. Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten". (Cree Indian saying)


 * Explain who uses that technology and why. If it isn't used very much explain that instead.**

Wind power is used more small scale in mostly rural areas to provide constant power for many farmers and small towns. It isn't used larger scale because of air space restrictions, highly populated areas, protected and restricted zones and land are all factors that prevent the more widespread use. It's cost is also a factor that makes it harder for more people to get into using it.




 * After learning about it what would you do next to change how its used? why?**

If I could change how it is used I would make it cheaper and more cost effective to build. I would try and make it needing less upkeep and maintenance and supervision. Also maximizing power production and efficiency would be beneficial. Also, the creation of designated wind farms where winds are consistent would mean even that the units would be maximized.


 * [|Carbon reduction scheme]**