Wyand.2010.energy.water.2010


 * __The Problem:__**

Energy affects humans every day, weather you look at the cost or use. The way we use our energy, or what we use to produce our energy, is undoubtedly harming this place we call Earth. What causes these problems? To name a few... Greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and flurocarbons... Acid rain... and the dependency of fossil fuels. So lets take a look at how each of the previous mentioned have an effect on Earth. GREEN HOUSE GASES - What are they? Greenhouse gases are gases in an atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect.

GREENHOUSE EFFECT

Bam... The greenhouse effect usually gets associated with global warming, and how it is bad for our atmosphere, but if you look deep into it, in reality, we wouldn't be able live without it. The greenhouse effect contributes to the regulation of our climate by trapping in heat and holding it in. Scientists say that without it, it would be 30 degrees Celsius, which is 54 degrees Fahrenheit. Taking a hit like that, would really affect the way we lived. But at the rate we are using fossil fuels, and other gases, it turns this necessary effect, into something bad for our Earth. Like the saying goes, too much of something can never be good. HOW DO WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT (with a negative effect) - The burning of natural gas, coal and oil - Farming practices - Long-lasting industrial gases - Deforestation - Population Growth The biggest contribution humans is by releasing Carbon Dioxide into the at mosphere. Take a look at this pie graph... CARBON DIOXIDE   Carbon Dioxide is released into the atmosphere in various ways throughout daily life. Every time a person inhales a breath of oxygen, on the exhale, he or she emits carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. A second way that humans emit carbon dioxide is through the burning of fossil fuels. These fossil fuels are used to generate electricity from the use of oil, coal, and natural gases. We release carbon dioxide in many of our every day routines. These activities can include driving your car during the day, heating your home during the chilly months of the year, and factories that run off the use of these fossil fuels. CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS  The largest source of Carbon Dioxide emissions is caused from the combustion of fossil fuels. The largest amounts of carbon dioxide emissions comes from the generation of electricity, followed closely by transportation. Check out this graph from 2006...   The biggest fossil fuel contributor for these carbon dioxide emissions come from coal and petroleum. METHANE Methane is emitted from a variety of human related sources. These sources include fossil fuel production, animal and livestock management, biomass burning, and waste management. All of these activities release methane into the atmosphere, contributing to 50% of the world's methane emissions. WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING TO THE PROBLEM We realize that the burning of fossil fuels releases these green house gases into the atmosphere, and it has a negative effect on the Earth. So, many countries have taken steps forward to manage the rate of emissions released into the atmosphere. The world's powerhouse countries have cracked down with regulations and standards. These countries include the United States, one of the biggest contributors, as well as countries in Europe, as well as China, and India. A huge part of the regulations and standards are focused on automobile emissions, including cars, trucks, buses, and other powered vehicles. One main contributor to these emission standards is the Environmental Protection Agency, or the EPA. Ways that the general public can reduce emissions are: - buying fuel efficient cars - RECYCLE, reusing grocery bags, recycling plastic and paper - reduce automobile use - using alternative fuels - plant trees - turn off electrical units when not using them (computer, tv, lights) - buy energy star rated appliances and electronics    So we can conclude that, yes, the U.S. government, as well as other countries, companies, and the general public are working on reducing emissions and pollution into the atmosphere. SOLUTION Our way to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere, is WIND POWER. We feel that there are many ways that you can contribute, and this is just one of many ways. WIND POWER HOW IT WORKS The Basic Way - Wind blows, the fins on the turbine spin, and creates electricity. The Complicated Way -

"It's hard sometimes to imagine air as a fluid. It just seems so ... invisible. But air is a fluid like any other except that its particles are in gas form instead of liquid. And when air moves quickly, in the form of wind, those particles are moving quickly. Motion means kinetic energy, which can be captured, just like the energy in moving water can be captured by the turbine in a [|hydroelectric dam]. In the case of a **wind-electric turbine**, the turbine blades are designed to capture the kinetic energy in wind. The rest is nearly identical to a hydroelectric setup: When the turbine blades capture wind energy and start moving, they spin a shaft that leads from the hub of the rotor to a generator. The generator turns that rotational energy into [|electricity]. At its essence, generating electricity from the wind is all about transferring energy from one medium to another." http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/wind-power.htm

PARTS OF A WIND TURBINE

Anemometer: Measures the wind speed and transmits wind speed data to the controller. Blades: Most turbines have either two or three blades. Wind blowing over the blades causes the blades to "lift" and rotate. Brake: A disc brake, which can be applied mechanically, electrically, or hydraulically to stop the rotor in emergencies. Controller: The controller starts up the machine at wind speeds of about 8 to 16 miles per hour (mph) and shuts off the machine at about 55 mph. Turbines do not operate at wind speeds above about 55 mph because they might be damaged by the high winds. Gear box: Gears connect the low-speed shaft to the high-speed shaft and increase the rotational speeds from about 30 to 60 rotations per minute (rpm) to about 1000 to 1800 rpm, the rotational speed required by most generators to produce electricity. The gear box is a costly (and heavy) part of the wind turbine and engineers are exploring "direct-drive" generators that operate at lower rotational speeds and don't need gear boxes. Generator: Usually an off-the-shelf induction generator that produces 60-cycle AC electricity. High-speed shaft: Drives the generator. Low-speed shaft: The rotor turns the low-speed shaft at about 30 to 60 rotations per minute. Nacelle: The nacelle sits atop the tower and contains the gear box, low- and high-speed shafts, generator, controller, and brake. Some nacelles are large enough for a helicopter to land on. Pitch: Blades are turned, or pitched, out of the wind to control the rotor speed and keep the rotor from turning in winds that are too high or too low to produce electricity. Rotor: The blades and the hub together are called the rotor. Tower: Towers are made from tubular steel (shown here), concrete, or steel lattice. Because wind speed increases with height, taller towers enable turbines to capture more energy and generate more electricity. Wind direction: This is an "upwind" turbine, so-called because it operates facing into the wind. Other turbines are designed to run "downwind," facing away from the wind. Wind vane: Measures wind direction and communicates with the yaw drive to orient the turbine properly with respect to the wind. Yaw drive: Upwind turbines face into the wind; the yaw drive is used to keep the rotor facing into the wind as the wind direction changes. Downwind turbines don't require a yaw drive, the wind blows the rotor downwind. Yaw motor: Powers the yaw drive.

PROS AND CONS OF WIND TURBINES

PROS:

ZERO EMISSIONS - Wind Turbines do not release gases that are harmful to the environment or the atmosphere. No Carbon Dioxide, sulfur, nitrogen oxide, sulfur, and other gases. RENEWABLE - The source is wind, it'll presumably, always be around, unlike fossil fuels, which are running out quickly. FREE - Wind is wind, and there are no fees or charges to use it. CREATES JOBS - Not only can it help the planet, it can help out the economy by creating jobs, decreasing unemployment rates (possibly), and wind turbines can increase the productivity of a business. QUICK INSTALLATION - The installation of wind turbines, contrary to popular belief, can be completed in a few months. Whereas nuclear, gas and coal plants can take up to a few years. PRICE STABILITY - Unlike the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels, the price for wind power is a relatively fixed price. LOW IMPACT - Turbines offer little threat to wildlife and natural habitat. SELF-SUFFICIENCY - Because wind and the opportunity to be developed domestically, wind power reduces U.C> reliance, or any country for that matter, on imported energy, such as fossil fuels. Other pros include a small-footprint, phased growth, and declining costs.

CONS:

HIGH INITIAL INVESTMENT - About 80% goes to machinery, and 20% to site preparation. But, a pro to this con, is that after machinery costs, and installation costs, the operating and maintenance costs are minimal. NOISE - The blades are often noted for making noise, or working to make noise in conjunction with the wind, which could be a blemish for a the surrounding habitat, weather it be animals, or people. Other noises can come from the actually machinery working. A pro to this con, is that the noise it creates is actually less than the background noise you hear in your own home. WIND - Well, sometimes, it's just not that windy out. Wind must blow between 16mph and 60mph for power generation. But an agruement to this con, is that wind turbines are conveniently placed where there is an abundance of wind, coastlines, and waterways, and some highways have a different style of turbine that functions from wind. DISTRIBUTION - Wind turbines must be situated near existing infrastructure, (ie, a grid or transmission wires), and without that, cost can play a role.

COMMON MYTHS

KILLING BIRDS - A bird will collide with a given wind machine about once every 8-15 years. The only argument is where the wind turbines are placed. If they are placed where there is a high migration rate for birds. Studies by the AWEA states that an estimated 57 million birds die in collisions with vehicles, 1.25 million with tall structures (buildings/towers), and 97.5 million in collisions with plate glass... These are based off of a yearly poll!!! The highest place of mortality for birds was found near wind facilities at Altamont, where there are 7,000 TURBINES, and there were only 182 reported bird deaths, over a two year study!!! Compare that to the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska where more that 500,000 birds died! That's 1,000 times more than the amount that die in California's plants each year, and the 3,000 recorded near a coal-fired power plant in Florida. So, when you think about it, 182 over two years, isn't really that bad!

UNSAFE - The only hazardous materials involved in wind turbines are small amounts of lubricating oils, and hydraulic and insulation fluids, which have minimal impact for soil contamination.

UNSIGHTLY - Sure they do create an eye sore, especially when placed on a mountain range, or along a coastline. But the real decision, is the value on wind turbines and how they will greatly contribute to reducing pollution in the atmosphere.

WHAT DO THE CRITICS SAY

//Land values have fallen on properties near wind turbines built as part of the largest wind power projects in the state, a study funded by wind-power critics says. The study found property values have fallen by at least 19% for sales of land near the We Energies wind farm in Fond du Lac County, and at least 12% for sales of land near Invenergy LLC's Forward Wind project in Fond du Lac and Dodge counties, a report by Appraisal Group One says. Taken from://

WIND TURBINES can supply up to 1/5 of the world's power supply in just 20 years, industrial and environmental groups say!

QUOTES ON WIND TURBINES AND WIND ENERGY (both positive and negative)

"To us these windfarms are a disaster in the countryside, we know their effect on ‘global warming’ is pathetically tiny, but to the Government they are seen as ‘proof positive’ to a gullible populace that something really is being done to reduce CO2 emissions." Edward Luscombe, C.Eng., B.Sc. (Eng.), MIEE

"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

"As our continental neighbours have discovered, and we in the UK are quickly learning, the infrastructural costs needed to support wind power generation appear to hugely outweigh the advantages. It provides a trickle of green energy but is against all the principles of sustainable development." Clive Aslet, Country Life Magazine Editor

"Wind turbines don't make good neighbors." John Zimmerman, Northeast U.S. Representative Enxco.

“With the right subsidies, wind could become a viable energy source. And, with the right subsidies, gasoline could be made free, and 2-carat diamonds could be given away in cereal boxes. How is it that wind, with a 4000-year head start, is such a small player in the energy scene? Could it be — just possibly — that the answer has something to do with physics instead of economics and politics?“ Dr. Howard Hayden, Professor Emeritus of Physics, University of Connecticut
 * //**"Fascinating view of the future**" -// Mrs E Bloom, St Albans
 * //"**Graceful, elegant and beautiful - I want one**" -// K Tregidden, Cornwall
 * //"**Not uncomplimentary to the unimpressive landscape**" -// DE Bolton, Devon
 * //"**25m high with a big blade on top!**" -// P Smith, Gloucester
 * //"**Interestingly architectural**" -// F Narburgh, Worcester
 * //"**Pretty and in harmony with the landscape and farming**" -// D Hyde, Cornwall
 * //"**Utterly beautiful**" -// J Buckland, Nottingham
 * //"**A new and necessary feature of our landscape**" -// Mrs B Craddock, Isle of Wight
 * //"**Relaxing, very quiet, elegant**" -// Mrs Colley, West Midlands
 * //"**Large surreal flowers**" -// anonymous
 * //"**Visions of the future, give it 50 years and no-one will think twice when they see one**",// ED Pieniazec, Berkshire
 * //"**Very relaxing to watch, but not enough of them! I want one of my own in the garden**" -// D Beazer, Cornwall

WHAT WOULD WE CHANGE OR DO NEXT

We think that there are many positives that come from the uses of wind power, and the use of wind turbines, wind mills, and such. We feel that the pros definitely outweigh the cons. We don't think that there is much we can change in the sense of creating wind turbines, or their uses, but what we would try to change are people's negative views about them. And how they are good sources for the clean production of energy. In time, wind power could be a huge source of energy, in the United States, as well as other countries around the world, and the production of this energy, is clean, and renewable. The source of wind will be here forever, while fossil fuels will run out.

PROJECT DONE BY: CHRISTIAN WYAND BRETT SPRACKLIN

BIBLIOGRAPHY (Pictures, Quotes, and Text)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/grnhse.html http://environment.about.com/od/globalwarming/a/greenhouse.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_rain http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/ggccebro/chapter1.html http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/greenhouseeffectexplained.gif http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/co2_human.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emission_standard http://www.celsias.com/media/uploads/admin/epa_seal1.gif http://www.ahmct.ucdavis.edu/limtask/Images/debris-equip/recycle.jpg http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/02/us/02wind.html?_r=1 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_how.html#k http://www.healthlink.org/windproscons37.html http://hubpages.com/hub/advantages-disadvantages-wind http://www.windaction.org/news/23086 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/12/wind-power-could-supply-f_n_759187.html http://www.savewesternny.org/quotes.html